Description of Indicator
The LGBTQ+ community data indicates the percentage of Pennsylvanians identifying as LGBTQ+, also categorized by age, workforce engagement, and child-rearing activities. This metric also includes the percentages of the LGBTQ+ population who feel respected and receive the social and emotional support they need.
Why is it Important?
Like members of other marginalized groups, people who are LGBTQ+ face disparities in economic status, health, and other outcomes. Collecting data on sexual orientation and gender identity helps define those specific disparities, which is an important first step to addressing them.
How is the Region Performing?
Among Pennsylvanians who identify as LGBTQIA+, 55.7 percent often or always feel respected in their LGBTQIA+ identities, and 29.8 percent only feel respected sometimes. Over ten percent of the LGBTQIA+ population always receives needed social and emotional support, and 32.6 percent often do so, whereas 35.8 percent only sometimes receive the social and emotional support they need. Large portions of the LGBTQIA+ population have experienced discrimination based on their LGBTQ status (62.4 percent), had thoughts of suicide (50.6 percent), and had thoughts of self-harm (48.0 percent) in their lifetimes.