Article commentary by Jaclyn Wypler and M. Hoffelmeyer. Journal of Agromedicine ($).
September 12, 2020.
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.
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