LGBTQ Individuals Face Higher Rates of Food Insecurity
Have you ever struggled to get enough food?
Not having access to enough food to sustain yourself is known as food insecurity. This is a common, growing problem in the United States. Seven Valleys Health Coalition (SVHC) is working to understand what that looks like here in Cortland County and help make changes to decrease the issue of food insecurity, the severity and frequency of which varies widely amongst social groups and households.
For generations, LGBTQ+ individuals have been suppressed simply because of whom they love or how they express themselves. In a 2019 study, the Oregon Food Bank found that 27% of LGBTQ+ individuals reported a lack of sufficient funds for food at some point in the last year. This is higher than cisgender (a person whose identity is aligned with the gender assigned to them at birth). Americans, report a lack of funds for food about 17% of the time. Food insecurity can be caused by a lack of affordable housing, unemployment, lack of access to healthcare, climate conditions, inadequate distribution of food, or even low income.
Members of the LGBTQ community also face employment discrimination. As recently as 2018, 22% of LGBTQ+ workers were not paid or promoted at the same rate as their colleagues, which impacts their ability to pay bills, get housing and feed themselves or their families. To help those facing food insecurity, there are programs like SNAP, food pantries, and food distribution sites (like our little blue pantries).
As a Public Health AmeriCorps member, I want to ensure every voice has a place at the table to be heard. According to our recent public health data, 14.7% of Cortland residents have an income below the federal poverty level. This is just one factor that may impact someone’s ability to get enough food. In my role at SVHC, I am working with people to hold 1-to-1 private conversations about how hard it can be to access food and why.
If you have ever struggled to get enough food, had to decide if you were going to pay a bill or buy food, or even applied for food stamps, I would like to talk with you about your experience.
You can sign up to be part of the project by visiting tinyurl.com/StorytellingCC23 or email me at Olivia@sevenvalleyshealth.org or by phone at 607-756-4198.
To thank you for taking the time to share your story, every person who takes part in the project will be thanked with a gift card to buy groceries. Do not let the struggle to get food impact your health. or cause you any more stress, we are here to hear your story and help make a change.
