Queering food security research: A critical analysis of 2SLGBTQ+ People's experiences of food insecurity in Toronto during the COVID-19 pandemic

Household food insecurity (HFI), stress, isolation, and discrimination are major determinants of health that disproportionately affect 2SLGBTQ + people. The COVID-19 pandemic potentially exacerbated these inequities. This study investigates HFI rates among 2SLGBTQ + adults living in diverse househol...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Social science & medicine (1982) 2024-03, Vol.345, p.116709-116709, Article 116709
Main Authors: Gibb, James K., Williams, Sarah, Mikelsteins, Kaspars, Charles, Jada, McKinnon, Leela, Beach, Laura, McKerracher, Luseadra, Fields, Jessica
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Child
COVID-19 - epidemiology
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Food Insecurity
Food Security
Food Supply
Gender Identity
Humans
Pandemics
Sexual and Gender Minorities
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Summary:Household food insecurity (HFI), stress, isolation, and discrimination are major determinants of health that disproportionately affect 2SLGBTQ + people. The COVID-19 pandemic potentially exacerbated these inequities. This study investigates HFI rates among 2SLGBTQ + adults living in diverse household conditions during the pandemic and explores the idea that heteronormative conceptions of the “household” may affect measurement of HFI. Cross-sectional survey responses were collected from 437 self-identified 2SLGBTQ + people from Toronto, Canada between March and July 2021. The survey measured HFI, sexual/gender identities, socio-demographic factors, household composition, and psycho-social stress/distress. Multinomial logistic regression was used to assess variation in odds of marginal, moderate, and severe HFI in relation to sexual/gender identities, household composition, psycho-social distress, and socio-demographic covariates. Forty-two percent of respondents reported some level of HFI, with severe HFI higher among respondents who were bisexual, transgender/gender diverse, and/or assigned-female-at-birth. Living alone was associated with decreased odds of reporting marginal HFI but increased odds of moderate or severe HFI compared to living with a partner, family, or roommates; living with children was associated with decreased odds of both marginal and severe HFI. One indicator of psycho-social distress (perceived discrimination) was associated with higher odds of all levels of HFI, while the other (isolation) was associated with decreased odds of marginal HFI. These findings highlight the high prevalence of HFI linked with discrimination among 2SLGBTQ + individuals during the pandemic. The complicated results regarding household composition and social isolation may suggest a need to revise definitions of the household when measuring, monitoring, and seeking to mitigate HFI in 2SLGBTQ + communities. •2SLGBTQ+ in Toronto face higher risk of food insecurity.•Transgender and bisexuals particularly affected.•Discrimination linked to increased food insecurity.•Structural inequities impact 2SLGBTQ + health access.•Impact evident during and outside pandemics.
ISSN:0277-9536
1873-5347
DOI:10.1016/j.socscimed.2024.116709