The Houston-based nonprofit, Texas Pride Impact Funds, has published a statewide study that offers “a systematic examination of the perspectives and needs of LBGTQ individuals in Texas and the organizations within the community that serve them.”
The study, titled “IMPACT! Texas Statewide LGBTQ Community Needs Assessment” seeks to “fully grasp the diverse needs of LGBTQ people living in Texas.” It focuses on topics like demographic composition, economic stability, education, legal and civic participation, physical and mental well-being, and public awareness.
It is estimated that 740,000 (3.6 percent) of Texans identify as LGBTQ, with over 46,000 households identifying as same-sex households.
According to the study, four primary questions guided the research:
- What does the LGBTQ community in Texas look like in terms of demographics, living arrangements and geographic location, primary service needs, and quality of life concerns?
- What service programs and organizations currently exist to serve existing needs, and where are the gaps in service?
- What are the strengths and challenges of existing community service providers who are addressing the needs of the LGBTQ community in terms of funding, training, and other support?
- Which foundations and other donors currently fund LGBTQ-related issues and where are the apparent gaps in funding?
A total of 852 Texans were polled for the study. Of those, 586 identified as Caucasian, 152 as Spanish/Latinx, 45 as Asian/Pacific Islander, 42 as African American, and 29 as Native American. In terms of identity, 400 identified as gay, 136 as bisexual/pansexual, 291 as lesbian, 1 as asexual, 9 as straight, 1 as demisexual, and 1 as gynephillic.
Researchers working on the study collected data from surveys, data analysis, focus groups, and interviews with LGBTQ community leaders.
The study produced several significant highlights:
- 52% of respondents under the age of 30 experienced homelessness in the past year.
- 27% of respondents under the age of 30 experienced food insecurity in the past year.
- Over 25% of respondents age 50 and over have postponed healthcare due to insufficient resources.
- Transgender women are out of work and seeking employment at a whopping rate of 36%, compared to transgender men (19%), and cisgender men and women (both 4%).
- The LGBTQ community experiences disproportionately high rates of poverty in Texas, particularity within communities of color and transgender communities.
Texas Pride Impact Funds will be holding a town hall on August 22 in San Antonio at which they will present the results of the assessment study and offer an overview of their activities and grant programs.
The event will also include a panel discussion with local community leaders. Panelists are Anel Flores (co-founder and grant coordinator, LezRideSA), Michele Durham (executive director of BEAT AIDS), Sandra Whitley (executive director of Thrive Youth Center) and Robert Salcido (executive director and board chair of Pride Center San Antonio).
IMPACT! Texas Town Hall, Wednesday, August 22 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Rackspace, 1 Fanatical Place San Antonio, TX 78218. Wine and nacho bar followed by presentation and panel discussion.
