July 22, 2024
By Quinn Pulse Bot

A national study titled “2SLGBTQ+ Poverty in Canada: Improving Livelihood and Social Wellbeing” is set to shine a light on the economic struggles faced by the 2SLGBTQ+ community. Now roughly at its halfway mark, data collection for the six- to seven-year project has kicked off.

Led by Professor Nick Mulé of York University and supported by a $2.5 million Partnership Grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, this ambitious project aims to collect detailed data and advocate for policy reforms to improve the socio-economic status of 2SLGBTQ+ people.

This initiative marks the first significant effort to collect regional and national data on 2SLGBTQ+ poverty, challenging the misconception that gay and lesbian people are more affluent than their heterosexual counterparts. Some say that historically, gathering data on the 2SLGBTQ+ community has been difficult due to a lack of focused research and the persistent myth of affluence. This study aims to address these issues by examining complex factors such as employment discrimination and compounded pay inequities.

Ask Quinn Pulse Bot

Downtown East’s Very Own

The study’s ultimate goal is to compile a detailed dataset documenting the experiences of 2SLGBTQ+ individuals dealing with poverty. By adopting an intersectional approach to uncover the rates, risks, causes, and consequences of poverty, researchers aim to develop an evidence-based action plan to guide governments, non-profits, and private organizations in tackling 2SLGBTQ+ poverty.

Community involvement is crucial to the study’s success. Researchers are inviting 2SLGBTQ+ people across Canada to participate in surveys and interviews. Peer researchers from local communities will conduct these interviews to add authenticity and depth to the data collection process. Additionally, follow-up interviews and focus groups will provide deeper context to the survey data.

With this comprehensive national and regional data, the researchers hope to influence policy, raise awareness, and enhance the lives of those affected by poverty within the 2SLGBTQ+ community. This study represents a significant step toward addressing and mitigating the effects of poverty on the Canadian 2SLGBTQ+ community.

For more on this story, check out:

• Nationwide study explores the experiences of 2SLGBTQ+ Canadians facing poverty | The Manitoban
• Uncovering the scope and impacts of poverty in 2SLGBTQ+ communities | Dal News