According to americanprogress.org, gay and transgender people are 200 percent more likely to smoke some form of tobacco than their heterosexual peers. American Progress also states that, gay men are 9.5 more times more likely to abuse heroin, and are 12.2 times more likely to abuse amphetamines. Also, these same men are 4 times more likely to use marijuana than straight men. Also, americanprogress.org says that, twenty-five percent of gay and transgender people abuse alcohol, compared to 5 to 10 percent of the general population. I think that these number are so high are for two different reasons. The first being the level of stress that they are under. The constant social prejudice (the thought that being gay could somehow be bad), and the discrimination is hard on someone. The constant being told that what you are is a disgrace can destroy a person’s self-esteem. The drugs and alcohol is an outlet, a way to escape from the pain. The second reason, as stated by americanprogress.org, is the fact that many companies target the LGBT community in the bars and clubs where they hangout. These clubs and bars are a staple in the gay community because it’s where they go to hang out with people who are like them and they are usually places where they tend to feel safe. In most of these places, smoking and drinking is highly accessible. I think that is why the number of substance abusers is …show more content…
According to the advocate.com, 20.7 percent of LGBT people living alone, have a gross annual income of 12,000 dollars, compared to non-LGBT people, which is 17 percent. Also, the advocate mentions that, it is reported that in a survey, 62 percent of low-income LGBT New Yorkers, reported that they had difficulty buying a basic need in the last year. I know that no matter your sexual orientation, you face hard times and we all face money issues, but the numbers for gay and lesbian people, is fairly higher than those of heterosexuals. These numbers relate to two main reasons. The first being, that since many LGBT are kicked out of their homes when they are young attributes to the high homeless rates. The low income relates to the fact that many places can decide to not hire you based on sexual orientation. Also, according to the Human Rights Campaign website, LGBT people are 28 percent more likely to drop out of high school. This can attribute the low income due to no education, they are forced to get low paying jobs.
I hope after reading this you will be able to see more of the social and economic effects and their causes that the LGBT community faces. To the social isolation, to the substance abuse, and even the low income. Although the LGBT community has come so far in the last decade or so, it will not ever be okay until we can shed some light on the ever so growing