One Orlando Alliance Community Report 2020

2020 Community Report

AllianceAgenda 10 issues affecting LGBTQ+ inclusiveness in Central Florida

OneOrlandoAlliance.org

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Compassion. Resiliency.

Love. Respect. Inclusivity. This is #OrlandoUnited

On June 12, 2016, Orlando experienced one of the worst mass shootings in American history. All told, 49 lives were taken, 68 were injured and countless individuals were impacted by the tragedy at Pulse nightclub. Most of those victimized identified as LGBTQ+, Latinx and/or Black/African American.

10 Issues on the Agenda Anti-Racism

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Coming Out

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Hate Crimes

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Health Care

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Homelessness

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Immigration

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Transgender/ Gender Nonbinary

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Vulnerable Populations

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Workplace Equality

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Youth

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COVID-19 (special topic)

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OneOrlandoAlliance.org AllianceAgenda.org #OrlandoUnited COVER PHOTO BY MELODY MAIA MONET. ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY

BY J.D. CASTO. LAYOUT UPDATES

BY SUNSET SKY CREATIVE. THE ALLIANCE AGENDA WAS FIRST PUBLISHED AND DESIGNED

BY WATERMARK PUBLISHING GROUP IN OCTOBER 2018 AND IS UPDATED ANNUALLY.

While June 12th represents a tragic day in Central Florida’s history, it also marks a turning point—a moment when the entire Orlando community united with compassion and resiliency to denounce hate and fear and stand up for love, respect and inclusivity. Within hours, LGBTQ+ community leaders began mobilizing to help victims, soon forming an informal alliance of organizations and individuals set on addressing the senseless tragedy. Over the subsequent months, the all-volunteer alliance became an essential source of information and support for victims, their families, the LGBTQ+ community, government and community partners. Together, we actively engaged in helping our community heal and committed to showing love and kindness to one another.

Today, One Orlando Alliance is a unified coalition committed to working together, in unprecedented ways, to turn tragedy into hope and positive impact. Collectively, our member organizations are committed to ensuring that Central Florida serves as a model of nonprofits, businesses, foundations and government institutions, all working together to create a safe, welcoming, and inclusive community for all LGBTQ+ people.

The Alliance Agenda focuses on 10 critical issues affecting LGBTQ+ inclusiveness in Central Florida. This annual report is the first of its kind to unite an entire local LGBTQ+ community. It is our commitment to communicate and collaborate around these 10 community-centric issues as well as our roadmap to success and measuring stick of the progress and impact being made.

Since publishing our first annual report in 2018, much progress has been made and yet we recognize our vision remains an aspiration. 2020 is a stark reminder of the work yet to do. The COVID-19 global pandemic and the Black Lives Matter Movement exposed deep systemic issues of oppression and marginalization that caused us to turn inward, take care of one another and develop new strategies to once again help our community heal while being vocal advocates for change.

We have grown to over 40 organizations, all making a positive impact in their own ways and contributing to the collective good of the LGBTQ+ community. Each has adapted throughout this very challenging year while remaining committed to our shared values. Together, we continue to envision a world where these 10 issues no longer exist. Until then, we remain #OrlandoUnited and ask that you join us in this work.

4 A N T I - R AC I S M

Systemic Racism is Deeply Rooted in the U.S. and Central Florida is No Exception LGBTQ+ people of color experience more discrimination, bullying and violence than their white counterparts.

Members who live at the intersection of Black and LGBTQ+ communities, especially transgender individuals, have

LGBTQ+ people of color are twice as likely to experience discrimination than others.

30% of LGBTQ+ people of color are afraid to call the police.

historically been marginalized more than their non-Black counterparts. The Black Lives Matter movement has caused our nation, and our local community, to take a deep look at what we are all doing

Black and Brown LGBTQ+ people are at least twice as likely as white LGBTQ+ people to report they have been personally discriminated

to be neither complicit nor perpetuate

against because they are LGBTQ+ when applying for jobs and when

the ills of structural racism. LGBTQ

interacting with police. They are six times more likely to report they have

organizations across the country have committed to embrace anti-racism and

avoided calling the police due to concern for anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination.

end white supremacy, not as necessary

Despite this compounded discrimination, LGBTQ+ people of color often

corollaries to our mission, but as integral to the objection of full equality for

don’t get the additional support they need from our community.

LGBTQ+ people. Locally, individuals and organizations must ensure that

W H AT M U S T B E D O N E :

systemic racism is uprooted from policies and procedures designed to oppress people of color. LGBTQ+ leaders of color are needed in all sectors, along with more funding for multicultural programming and better demographic

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reporting. In addition to increased awareness and education, organizations should adopt instruments to measure growth toward integrating practices

Funding designated for more culturally diverse programming for LGBTQ+ organizations led by LGBTQ+ individuals of color.

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Funding designated to support demographic studies of LGBTQ+ populations that include race, ethnicity, age, economic status, immigration status, place of origin, and other key data.

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Funding designated to support antiracism and cultural education training on racial inequity within the LGBTQ+ community.

of anti-racism to eliminate disparities.

MORE INFO:

The Center Orlando TheCenterOrlando.org

Human Rights Campaign HRC.org

Come Out With Pride ComeOutWithPride.com

Maven Leadership Collective MavenLeadership.org

QLatinx QLatinx.org

5 COMING OUT

Societal Barriers Prevent Some LGBTQ+ People from Living Authentically Highly rejected LGBTQ+ people are 8 times more likely to attempt suicide.

26% of LGBTQ+ youth identify family rejection as the primary problem in their lives.

Coming out can be defined as an individual’s purposeful disclosure of their sexual orientation or gender identity, accompanied by their internal process of self-acceptance. The second part of that definition is often forgotten: LGBTQ+ individuals have to come out to themselves before coming out to others. A shocking 700,000

Coming out is a major event in the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals. While the

LGBTQ+ Americans between 18 and

long-term impact of coming out is generally positive, barriers to living an

therapy”—the discredited practice

open LGBTQ+ life endure: family rejection, the political polarization around LGBTQ+ issues and harmful practices such as conversion therapy. National Coming Out Day is observed on October 11 to remind everyone within the LGBTQ+ community that they are welcome and worthy in our society.

59 have been subjected to “conversion of trying to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity or expression—more than half during adolescence. Conversion therapy remains legal in more than half of the country, including most counties here in Florida. Beyond fear, rejection from loved ones, and loneliness,

W H AT M U S T B E D O N E :

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The Florida Legislature should pass comprehensive laws banning the practice of conversion therapy on LGBTQ+ youth.

MORE INFO:

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Educational institutions should train administrators and teachers to understand and address coming out issues and how to engage with LGBTQ+ transgender and gender nonbinary students.

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many LGBTQ+ individuals encounter obstacles to coming out, including

Central Florida businesses, public and private, should provide or increase access to LGBTQ+ specific health, human resource and support programs for their LGBTQ+ employees.

age, race, ethnicity, religious views and socio-economic status. Combined with our society’s lingering homophobia and political movements meant to limit or reverse LGBTQ+ rights, these barriers can seem overwhelming.

26Health 26Health.org

The Center Orlando TheCenterOrlando.org

KindRed Pride Foundation KindREDpride.org

UCF LGBTQ+ Services sja.sdes.UCF.edu/LGBTQ

Bros In Convo BrosInConvo.org

Come Out with Pride ComeOutWithPride.com

PFLAG Orlando PFLAGOrlando.org

Zebra Coalition ZebraYouth.org

6 H AT E C R I M E S

Hate Crimes Send a Violent Message of Intimidation Hate crimes based on sexual orientation comprised more than a third of all hate crimes in Florida in 2016.

The Pulse nightclub tragedy was one of them, taking 49 lives, injuring 68 and underscoring that LGBTQ+ individuals

The Pulse nightclub attack was one of the worst mass shootings in U.S. history.

1 in 5 LGBTQ+ persons in the U.S. has experienced a Hate Crime.

can encounter hate-driven violence any place, at any time. Yet Florida’s hate crime statute doesn’t include a provision against violence due to gender identity and expression. While

Hate crimes are acts of physical violence, sexual attacks, verbal harassment or discrimination due to an individual’s real or perceived identity. While

race is the most common motivation for

any violent crime is traumatizing, a hate crime sends a message of

hate crimes per capita, few realize that

intimidation to the community. The impact is often most evident in

LGBTQ+ Floridians are at the highest risk of being targeted. (Statistics

minority communities, and LGBTQ+ communities are disproportionately

don’t account for unreported crimes

affected. People living at multiple intersections of oppression, such

or unclassified hate crimes based on gender identity or expression.)

as racism and homophobia, experience compounded violence.

Media and law enforcement often underreport or perpetuate bias, as in

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the 2018 murder of Sasha Garden, an Orange County transgender woman incorrectly described by police and the media as a man “wearing a wig” and “dressed as a female.”

MORE INFO:

The Center Orlando TheCenterOrlando.org

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Acquire funding for a designated leadership position in Central Florida to address issues related to LGTBQ+ Victim Services.

Equality Florida EQFL.org

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Designate liaisons at all local law enforcement agencies to interact with the LGBTQ+ community.

Gay Officer Action League of Central Florida GOALcfl.com

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onePulse Foundation OnePulseFoundation.org

Pass comprehensive hate crime laws that include gender identity and gender expression provisions.

Victim Service Center VictimServiceCenter.org

7 H E A LT H CA R E

Discrimination Impacts Physical, Mental and Emotional Wellness 29% of LGBTQ+ adults are likely to delay/not seek medical care compared to 17% for others.

LGBTQ+ individuals are nearly 3 times more likely to experience a mental health condition.

Certain subgroups of the LGBTQ+ community have more chronic conditions and a higher prevalence/ earlier onset of disabilities than their heterosexual counterparts. Some research suggests that lesbians have a higher risk of breast cancer while transgender individuals have unique health care needs yet face significant

When it comes to healthcare, LGBTQ+ individuals and their heterosexual/cisgender peers share some concerns: difficulty finding affordable care, worry about losing their job and health insurance due to illness, and the stigma around getting treated for mental illness and sexually transmitted infections. But the LGBTQ+ community faces additional challenges, leading to worse health outcomes.

barriers in obtaining quality care. Other major health concerns include HIV/ AIDS, substance use and sexual and physical violence. Relatedly, some LGBTQ+ individuals are more likely to experience barriers to health care due to gaps in coverage, prohibitive costs or even being denied care because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. LGBTQ+ individuals also face higher rates of mental illness, addiction

W H AT M U S T B E D O N E :

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Pass comprehensive laws that prohibit denying medical treatment to LGBTQ+ individuals, and removal of laws criminalizing individuals living with HIV/AIDS.

MORE INFO:

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Improve access to health education, as well as free health screenings for illnesses such as breast, cervical and anal cancers and HPV.

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and suicide—the highest among bisexual, questioning, transgender and

Target funding for programs to reduce suicide in LGBTQ+ populations, improved access to quality LGBTQ+ mental health services and public education to destigmatize mental health conditions.

26Health 26Health.org

Bros in Convo BrosInConvo.org

Hope & Help HopeAndHelp.org

AIDS Healthcare Foundation HIVcare.org

The Center Orlando TheCenterOrlando.org

Libby’s Legacy Breast Cancer Foundation LibbysLegacy.org

young individuals. LGBTQ+ individuals often remain silent about mental health issues due to stigma and are less apt to get help. More LGBTQ+ culturally competent mental health providers are therefore essential.

Mental Health Association MHACF.org

Orlando Immunology Center OICOrlando.com

Miracle of Love MiracleOfLoveInc.org

Peer Support Space PeerSupportSpace.org

8 HOMELESSNESS

LGBTQ+ People Experiencing Homelessness Face Additional Barriers Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, on any given night in America more than half a million people were homeless.

Since the coronavirus outbreak, those without homes face the most severe consequences, including high infection rates and increased risk of severe complications or death. While individuals in the LGBTQ+ community are more

Approximately 1 in 5 transgender individuals in the U.S. have unstable housing, or are at risk of homelessness, with local statistics currently unknown.

Up to 40% of youth experiencing homelessness identify as LGBTQ+.

likely to be homeless, efforts to help them often lack strategies designed to meet their specific needs. Once homeless,

Compared to their heterosexual and/or cisgender counterparts,

LGBTQ+ individuals often experience

LGBTQ+ individuals experience higher rates of poverty and

higher rates of violence, abuse and exploitation. Some shelters bar them

homelessness. Central Florida’s combination of low wages and

from entry, others do nothing to ensure

lack of affordable housing, unequal treatment in housing and the

their safety, and none in Central Florida are designed solely for the LGBTQ+

workplace, and family hostility and violence are to blame.

adult population. Not surprisingly, these individuals may remain homeless

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longer. LGBTQ+ youth comprise 35% of Central Florida’s minors experiencing homelessness, with family conflict and rejection as the primary reason they left home. Most can’t find help tailored to their needs: A recent survey of 268 youth

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experiencing homelessness in Central Florida found that while 93 identified as LGBTQ+, there were only 8 beds

Acquire funding designated for a leadership position tasked with addressing issues related to LGTBQ+ homelessness.

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Increase access to safe, inclusive housing for LGBTQ+ individuals, plus cultural competency training for social service providers, particularly as it relates to transgender and elder populations.

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Funding to increase dedicated beds for LGBTQ+ individuals experiencing homelessness, particularly youth and transgender people.

targeted to LGBTQ+ youth in the region.

(See Youth for more information.)

MORE INFO:

Bliss Cares BlissCares.org

Legal Aid Society of Central Florida LegalAidOCBA.org

The Center Orlando TheCenterOrlando.org

Watermark Publishing Group WatermarkOnline.com

Zebra Coalition ZebraYouth.org

9 I M M I G R AT I O N

LGBTQ+ Immigrants Often Face Daunting Challenges 1 in 5 Florida residents is an immigrant.

LGBTQ+ immigrants are 10 times more likely to experience sexual violence than their heterosexual/ cisgender counterparts.

LGBTQ+ immigrants often lack the financial resources and documentation to access essential services. One reason: Immigration and other forms don’t ask LGBTQ+ individuals to identify themselves as such. And LGBTQ+ immigrants may be reluctant to reveal this information after fleeing countries biased against them for these

Individuals in the large Central Florida LGBTQ+ immigrant community are often reluctant to identify themselves as LGBTQ+.

Immigration forms typically do not have questions related to

reasons. Both factors make it difficult to collect data on this population.

But documented and undocumented LGBTQ+ immigrants need safer, more secure immigrant civilian

sexual orientation or gender identity. These individuals may also

detention systems, which are typically

feel unsafe providing such information, leaving them to navigate

segregated by gender, exposing

a complex bureaucracy without help for their specific needs.

transgender individuals to higher rates of harassment, discrimination and assault. Culturally competent legal aid support is another must, to

W H AT M U S T B E D O N E :

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Service providers for LGBTQ+ immigrants must offer multilingual intake forms with gender-neutral options, accept all forms of identification, and should establish LGBTQ+ nondiscrimination policies.

MORE INFO:

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Law enforcement agencies should adopt policies on the holding and transferring of LGBTQ+ immigrant detainees, including policies to prevent misgendering and solitary confinement.

Hispanic Federation HispanicFederation.org

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help LGBTQ+ immigrants navigate the criminal justice system and access

Immigration attorneys should receive LGBTQ+ cultural competency training, working alongside case managers to navigate sensitive conversations regarding potential trauma and victimization.

Hope CommUnity Center HCC-OFFM.org

discrimination-free, multilingual social service programs. Language barriers and cultural differences also make it tough for LGBTQ+ immigrants to find inclusive communities, since most organizations for the immigrant population lack programming, services and policies for LGBTQ+ immigrants.

QLatinx QLatinx.org

10 TRANSGENDER AND GENDER NONBINARY

The Epidemic of Violence Towards Transgender and NonBinary People Continues to Increase It is estimated that 1.4 million adults identify as transgender in the United States. From the limited research, it is estimated that non-binary individuals make up 25-35% or more of the transgender population. Transgender

4 in 10 transgender individuals attempt suicide.

In just 7 months, the number of transgender people murdered in 2020 surpassed the total for all of 2019.

individuals contend with higher rates of discrimination than others in the LGBTQ+ community. Ninety percent face discrimination at work, with 25% reporting a job loss due to bias (the

Transgender, Nonbinary and Gender Nonconforming people face discrimination, poverty and violence at disproportionate rates. Black

unemployment rate for transgender

trans women are especially at risk of becoming victims of violent

people is twice that of the general

crimes. While Orlando is a welcoming home for a growing transgender

population). Gender discrimination continues when transgender people

and gender nonbinary (enby) community, resources do not meet

seek health care, access to public

the demand for suicide prevention services, competent medical

spaces, public assistance or entry into homeless shelters. (See Homelessness

care, low-income housing assistance or homelessness support.

for more information.) In a 2018 survey, nearly 20% of transgender

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respondents were refused medical care (the number is higher for people of color), and 28% were harassed or misgendered while seeking medical care. An alarming 40% of transgender individuals have attempted suicide according to a 2018 survey, a number that jumps to 78% for those who have experienced physical or sexual violence.

MORE INFO:

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Central Florida schools, media outlets, governmental institutions, businesses and nonprofits should conduct ongoing Transgender/Gender Nonbinary Cultural Competency Training.

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Develop solutions that address shortcomings in employment, housing, health care, public safety and access to public spaces for transgender/ nonbinary individuals.

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Comprehensive human rights ordinances must be passed in all Central Florida cities and counties to protect the LGBTQ+ community from discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodations.

26Health 26Health.org

The Center Orlando TheCenterOrlando.org

Orlando Youth Alliance OrlandoYouthAlliance.org

Victim Service Center VictimServiceCenter.org

Bliss CARES BlissCares.org

Family Equality FamilyEquality.org

UCF LGBTQ+ Services sja.sdes.UCF.edu/LGBTQ

Zebra Coalition ZebraYouth.org

11 V U L N E R A B L E P O P U L AT I O N S

Caring for the Most Vulnerable Among Us is a Moral Responsibility An estimated 2.4 million LGBTQ+ Americans are over the age of 65.

Approximately 1 in 3 LGBTQ+ adults identify as having a disability.

LGBTQ+ patients do not generally seek out LGBTQ+ professionals, and too few receive care by culturally competent providers who are able to translate stereotyped social health determinants into clinical relevance.

LGBTQ+ people with special needs may

Many members of society have special needs arising from disability, natural disaster or aging. When those individuals are also LGBTQ+, they may find

encounter additional challenges that diminish their capacity to lead healthy lives. Within the LGBTQ+ community, for instance, D/deaf LGBTQ+ people

themselves doubly marginalized—discriminated by society, underserved by

often find that community events lack

the community or unacknowledged by LGBTQ+ peers. In Orange County,

interpretive services. LGBTQ+ persons

the amount of LGBTQ+ individuals over 65 are expected to nearly double between 2020 (10,193) and 2035. (18,472). Those numbers will directly impact the need for culturally competent care provided in Long Term Care Facilities.

with disabilities may encounter health care providers who are not culturally competent, or worse, unwelcoming.

Older LGBTQ+ individuals, having experienced a lifetime of stressors due to bias, are more likely to be affected by poverty or have unique counseling

W H AT M U S T B E D O N E :

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Funding aquired for LGBTQ+ organizations to improve access for the D/deaf by hiring ASL interpreters and/ or providing real-time captioning services.

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Adopt laws and policies similar to California’s SB 219 (Bill of Rights for LGBTQ+ LongTerm Care Facility Residents).

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needs. And as LGBTQ+ Baby Boomers reach retirement age, they may find a

Increase funding for LGBTQ+ individuals either displaced by natural disasters or immigrants who have fled their origin countries for fear of discrimination.

lack of assisted living facilities (ALFs) and nursing homes with accepting environments. Florida’s LGBTQ+ Puerto Rican community, the fastest growing Latinx community in the state, also faces challenges. Undocumented immigrants are also particularly vulnerable to exclusion from support services and targeted deportation tactics.

MORE INFO:

Bros in Convo BrosInConvo.org The Center Orlando TheCenterOrlando.org

Libby’s Legacy Breast Cancer Foundation LibbysLegacy.org

Orlando Gay Chorus OrlandoGayChorus.org

QLatinx QLatinx.org

Peer Support Space PeerSupportSpace.org

Zebra Coalition ZebraYouth.org

12 W O R K P L AC E E Q UA L I T Y

When LGBTQ+ Workers are Affirmed, Workplaces Thrive In business it is said that “diversity happens but inclusion is intentional.”

Businesses face tremendous challenges and inclusion in the workplace has never been more relevant than it is today. Accepting people for who they

1 in 4 LGBTQ+ workers have experienced workplace discrimination.

90 percent of transgender workers report some form of harassment or mistreatment.

are is not just morally (and now legally) right; it is an economic imperative

On June 15, 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on a landmark civil rights law that

for business success. The business case for diversity in the workplace is overwhelming. Successful businesses

protects gay and transgender workers from workplace discrimination, handing

thrive in inclusive, diverse societies.

the movement for LGBTQ equality a long-sought victory. Justice Neil M. Gorsuch

The economic case for LGBTQ+

wrote “An employer who fires an individual merely for being gay or transgender

inclusion continues to grow stronger with quantifiable evidence. A lack

defies the law,” for the majority in the 6-to-3 ruling. While the vastly consequential

of understanding and value for the

decision extended workplace protections to millions of people across the

uniqueness that each person brings not only stifles growth, it leads to risk.

nation, the ruling does not guarantee that workplace equality is a sure thing.

LGBTQ+ people in the closet are more than 73% more likely to say they will

W H AT M U S T B E D O N E :

leave their job within three years, but those in workplaces that foster diversity and inclusion report improved job commitment, workplace relationships, job satisfaction, health outcomes and productivity. A majority of Fortune 500

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companies have prioritized workplace equality and now it is time for the rest of the country to follow suit with the ethical and legal obligation to do-so.

MORE INFO:

Equality Florida EQFL.org

Organizations should update and improve their policies and procedures, and seek LGBTQ+ Cultural Competency Training to transform their workplaces into inclusive environments where everyone thrives.

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All Central Florida employers should adopt LGBTQ+ diversity and inclusion policies and practices, conduct cultural sensitivity trainings for employees, and include LGBTowned businesses in their supply chain.

The Pride Chamber ThePrideChamber.org

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All Central Florida employers should strive to score 100% on the Human Rights Campaign’s Annual Corporate Equality Index, showing unwavering commitment to LGBTQ+ diversity, inclusion, and equity.

UCF LGBTQ+ Services sja.sdes.UCF.edu/LGBTQ

13 YOUTH

Sexual Orientation and Gender are Important Aspects of a Young Person’s Identity 40% of LGBTQ+ youth have seriously considered attempting suicide.

1 in 3 LGBTQ+ youth report being physically threatened or harmed due to their identity.

For many LGBTQ+ young people, school equals fear: Only 26% report they always feel safe there. More than 50% of transgender youth attempt suicide after encountering slurs or violence at school. Yet LGBTQ+ youth with supportive families have positive

LGBTQ+ youth come out at every age, many before high school. Public support for the LGBTQ+ community has increased dramatically over the past decade, yet coming out remains one of the most emotionally challenging decisions in an LGBTQ+ person’s life, often leading to rejection, depression and even homelessness. Half of LGBTQ+ youth experience a negative reaction when they

health outcomes including increased self-esteem and resilience and lower rates of depression and substance use.

Unfortunately, half of LGBTQ+ youth get a negative reaction from parents after coming out. (See Coming Out for more information.) This is linked to increased depression, suicidal behavior,

come out. LGBTQ+ youth experience higher rates of discrimination, housing

substance abuse and HIV risk. Research

instability and health disparities than heterosexual and/or cisgender counterparts.

from families also leads to eviction or

suggests that hostility and abuse running away and a disproportionate number of these young people

W H AT M U S T B E D O N E :

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Pass comprehensive laws that address harassment and/or bullying of students based on their sexual orientation and gender identity.

MORE INFO:

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Equality Florida EQFL.org

Pass county and statewide anti-conversion therapy laws that protect youth from widely debunked and dangerous practices intended to change their sexual orientation and/or gender identity.

Family Equality FamilyEquality.org

experience homelessness and its

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attendant dangers—violent crime,

Increase access to low-cost counseling services for LGBTQ+ youth, preferably within the school system.

Orlando Youth Alliance OrlandoYouthAlliance.org

risky sexual behavior, substance abuse and mental health problems. (See

Homelessness for more information.)

Zebra Coalition ZebraYouth.org

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S P E C I A L TO P I C

C OV I D -19

COVID-19 Impacts the Most Marginalized in the LGBTQ+ Community The Central Florida LGBTQ Mutual Aid Network (“The Network”) was formed The Alliance Agenda was created to focus on the top 10 issues facing

to assist Orlando area LGBTQ+ community members most in need as a result

Central Florida’s LGBTQ+ community;

of the coronavirus crisis. Data from the Central Florida LGBTQ+ Individual

however, we would be remiss not to

Needs Assessment reflects the state of emergency. Key findings include:

mention the devastating effect that COVID-19 has had on the LGBTQ+ community. In many ways, the pandemic amplified all of the issues identified in the Alliance Agenda.

While COVID-19 impacted the entire world, Orange County, Florida’s LGBTQ+ community has been disproportionately affected and faced with compounding challenges.

Countless LGBTQ+ individuals — particularly transgender, non-binary, gender fluid, and gender nonconforming individuals, undocumented

• 54% of respondents report earning less than $18,000 per year, below the $18,000 poverty threshold

• 80% of respondents report they do not receive • 80% of respondents report being unable to afford to pay their rent or mortgage, 9% report food stamps or other forms of financial they currently reside in temporary housing, assistance 7% report they currently live in inadequate • 57% of respondents report being temporarily housing conditions such as lack of heat or air unemployed or recently laid off while 16% conditioning, 4% of respondents report they identified as self-employed and experiencing are experiencing homelessness. a loss in wages, 11% report being unemployed for more than three months, 10% report they are currently working remotely and 7% report being employed in an essential role.

immigrants, and people of color

• To learn more about the respondents and see the full report go to tiny.cc/CFLReport.

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who are self-employed or working in the service economy and were already living paycheck-to-paycheck and housing unstable — face great hardship as a result of the pandemic.

Donate to the Central Florida LGBTQ+ Relief Fund to help those directly

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affected: www.gofundme.com/ central-florida-lgbtq-relief-fund

MORE INFO:

• 84% of respondents report they do not have enough money to afford food and non-food grocery items

Local government must allocate local funding for LGBTQ+ specific resources to take into consideration lack of culturally competent resource providers and direct support options.

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Government, Corporate and Philanthropic institutions must recognize and resolve disparities facing low-wage, service economy workers.

Bros in Convo BrosInConvo.org

The Center Orlando TheCenterOrlando.org

Contigo Fund ContigoFund.org

One Orlando Alliance OneOrlandoAlliance.org

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Provide LGBTQ+ Cultural Competency Training to all regional service providers who create unnecessary barriers for LGBTQ+ individuals to apply for and receive support.

QLatinx QLatinx.org

Membership Info Would your organization like to become a member of One Orlando Alliance?

Visit OneOrlandoAlliance.org/Membership

#OrlandoUnited