ABSTRACT

The limited data on LGBTQ+ farmers demonstrate that this population lacks adequate healthcare access and faces stigma in agricultural communities. Given that COVID-19 disproportionately impacts LGBTQ+ populations, we investigate how working conditions and healthcare bias may expose LGBTQ+ farmers – essential employees – to high risk of transmitting the virus. During COVID-19, LGBTQ+ farmers may experience worse mental health outcomes as they face occupational and identity-based stressors. Conversely, LGBTQ+ farmers may also demonstrate mental health resilience during COVID-19 due to pre-existing socially distant networks they created in light of agricultural heterosexism. What is unique about COVID-19 is that healthcare inequities of a relatively small percentage of the agriculture workforce has amplifying implications for the entire agrifood system. We call for research on LGBTQ+ farmers to understand how sexuality impacts agricultural health, to uncover health risks and protective factors that may increase the health of farming communities, and to support essential food production during a pandemic.

摘要

关于LGBTQ +农民的有限数据表明，该人群缺乏足够的医疗保健机会，并且在农业社区中面临耻辱。鉴于COVID-19对LGBTQ +人群的影响不成比例，我们调查工作条件和医疗保健偏向如何使LGBTQ +农民（必不可少的雇员）面临传播病毒的高风险。在COVID-19期间，LGBTQ +农民面对职业和基于身份的压力源时，其心理健康状况可能会较差。相反，由于LGBTQ +农民根据农业异性恋关系建立了先前存在的与社会隔绝的网络，因此他们在COVID-19期间也可能表现出心理健康适应力。COVID-19的独特之处在于，相对较小比例的农业劳动力的医疗保健不平等现象对整个农业食品系统产生了更大的影响。我们呼吁对LGBTQ +农民进行研究，以了解性行为如何影响农业健康，发现可能增加农业社区健康的健康风险和保护因素，并在大流行期间支持必要的粮食生产。