LGBTQIA+ people's service access during the COVID-19 pandemic: Obstacles to care and provider adaptations

ABSTRACT

Members of LGBTQIA+ populations often experience difficulties accessing support services and report inadequate, discriminatory, or stigmatizing treatment from providers. The COVID-19 pandemic has compounded existing access barriers;consequently, researchers and practitioners have called for an examination of how the pandemic has impacted LGBTQIA+ people's wellbeing. The present study uses qualitative data from interviews with 42 LGBTQIA+ people about barriers to service access during the pandemic, as well as 15 LGBTQIA-focused service providers about how their work has changed and adapted since the pandemic started. Implications and recommendations for service improvement, both during the pandemic and in the future, are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Journal of Gay & Lesbian Social Services is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)