DOH reports on health gaps for LGBTQIA+ New Yorkers

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEXSTAR) — In New York State, 1,151,100 adults identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, or asexual, known as the LGBTQIA+ community. A new report—released by the New York State Department of Health on Wednesday and covering data from 2021 and 2022—detailed the health and social challenges these New Yorkers face.

The report—"Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity: Selected Demographics and Health Indicators, New York State Adults, 2021-2022," which is available to read at the bottom of this story—comes from the state's Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. BRFSS conducts phone surveys of adults across the state, gathering data on behavior, risk factors, and the use of health services related to diseases, disabilities, injuries, and deaths.

The terms in this story describe a person's sexual orientation or gender identity, and DOH offered useful definitions in its report. Sexual orientation refers to how a person characterizes their emotional and sexual attraction to others. Gender identity refers to a person's inner sense of their own gender expression: being a boy, a man, a girl, a woman, male or female, another gender, or no gender at all.

Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald explained that the survey provides "important insights and a better understanding of the health needs and health disparities" of New Yorkers who are not straight. He described gender identity and sexual orientation as "deeply personal aspects of an individual’s overall sense of self and identity" and noted that, while New York has made progress in creating a more gender-affirming environment, "Our work is not done."

The report found that about 8.2% of New York adults identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or another sexual orientation besides straight, which can be described with the acronym LGBO. That's 3.9% who are bisexual, 2.9% who are lesbian or gay, and 1.4% who identify with another sexual orientation like questioning, asexual, or pansexual.

And about 1.4% of New York adults identify as transgender, genderqueer, gender non-conforming, non-binary, or intersex.

Younger adults self-identify as LGBO at higher rates than older adults. One in five New Yorkers aged 18 to 24, or 20%, identify this way. It decreases with age, at 12.3% among ages 25 to 34 and just 3.8% for adults over 64. Identifying as LGBO is also more common among women (9.1%) and people who are unemployed (11.5%), disabled (11.3%), or experiencing food insecurity (11%).

The commissioner confirmed the department's commitment to improving conditions that affect the health and well-being of everyone in New York. The report attempts to quantify health differences faced by LGBTQIA+ people, which are frequently wrapped up in their sexual orientations and gender identities. Historically and today, they face huge health and social challenges based on stigma and discrimination.

The report highlights several of the challenges common among LGBTQIA+ people. For example, 29.1% of LGBO adults and 32.1% of transgender adults reported experiencing stress, depression, or emotional problems most days, compared to 12.4% of non-LGBTQIA+ adults.

LGBTQIA+ people also experience higher rates of substance use. The report found 31.2% of LGBO adults and 38.6% of transgender adults consumed marijuana over the previous 30 days, compared to 11.4% of straight adults. Binge or heavy drinking affects 25.6% of LGBO adults and 25% of trans adults, compared to 17.9% of non-LGBTQIA+ adults.

LGBTQIA+ adults also reported more adverse childhood experiences. DOH defines ACEs as emotional, physical, and sexual abuse; emotional and physical neglect; or household challenges like being exposed to domestic violence, a family member with substance abuse or mental illness, an incarcerated household member, or parental separation or divorce.

According to the report, ACEs affect 59% of LGBO adults and 50.2% of trans adults, compared to 41% of non-LGBTQIA+ adults. And what's more, suicidal thoughts, plans, or attempts were reported by 15.2% of LGBO adults and 14.3% of trans adults, compared to 3.4% of straight adults.

Many LGBTQIA+ individuals also face higher rates of problems like lacking a regular health care provider or experiencing food insecurity. For example, 13.5% of LGBO adults and 17.3% of trans adults couldn't afford medical care, compared to 7.3% of non-LGBTQIA+ adults. And unreliable transportation or housing insecurity affected 28.8% of LGBO adults and 36.2% of trans adults, compared to 17.1% of straight adults.

More LGBTQIA+ people in New York reported having accessed mental health services over the previous year. Among non-LGBTQIA+ adults, 51.5% accessed such resources, compared to 66.8% of LGBO adults and 64.8% of trans adults.

Take a look at the report below: