Study: LGBTQ+ Adults in Massachusetts Face Higher Food Insecurity Rates

More than half of LGBTQ+ adults in Massachusetts reported experiencing food insecurity in 2024, a significant disparity when compared to their non-LGBTQ+ counterparts, according to a study published in JAMA Network Open. Researchers found that while 54.9% of LGBTQ+ adults struggled to access reliable, nutritious food, the rate for non-LGBTQ+ adults in the state stood at 33.3%.

Food Insecurity Rates Among LGBTQ+ Adults

The study, which analyzed data from 9,174 participants in the Massachusetts Statewide Food Access Survey between 2022 and 2024, indicates that food insecurity is not only widespread but persistent. Researchers observed that the gap between LGBTQ+ and non-LGBTQ+ populations remained throughout the study period, even after adjusting for socioeconomic and demographic factors.

Lead author Austin R. Waters, a research fellow at the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute’s LGBTQ Health Center of Excellence, noted that income disparities alone do not account for the findings. Differences in income and other economic factors did not fully explain this gap, suggesting that LGBTQ+ people face additional barriers that put them at greater risk of food insecurity, Waters stated.

Barriers to Food Assistance Programs

Despite the high rates of food insecurity, participation in government-funded programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and reliance on food pantries did not see a corresponding increase. Researchers identified several psychological and logistical hurdles preventing LGBTQ+ individuals from seeking help. Among those who did not utilize food pantries, respondents frequently cited a desire to remain self-reliant, feelings of embarrassment, and concerns about their privacy.

LGBTQ+ adults are facing growing food needs, but they also face barriers to getting help, including embarrassment and fear that others will know they use a food pantry. We need solutions designed with LGBTQ+ communities that make food assistance easier to access while protecting people’s dignity and avoiding further stigmatizing a population that already experiences stigma and discrimination.

Austin R. Waters, lead author

Proposed Solutions for Inclusive Access

The study suggests that current assistance models may be failing to address the specific needs of the LGBTQ+ community. Survey participants proposed several improvements to make food resources more accessible and less stigmatizing. These recommendations include the implementation of grocery gift cards, home delivery options, curbside pickup, and streamlined online ordering systems. Participants also identified a need for dedicated assistance with the SNAP enrollment process.

Senior author Brittany Charlton, an associate professor of population medicine at Harvard Medical School, emphasized that the issue is a public health inequity requiring more than just economic intervention. Food assistance programs can play an important role in reducing food insecurity, but they must also address the stigma and logistical barriers that prevent many LGBTQ+ adults from accessing support, Charlton said.

Researchers Advocate for Inclusive Food Assistance Partnerships

The research, which involved collaboration with the Greater Boston Food Bank and Mass General Brigham, suggests that future interventions should be developed through direct partnerships with LGBTQ+ communities. As policymakers evaluate potential changes to food assistance infrastructure, the researchers advocate for targeted efforts that prioritize inclusivity and responsiveness to the needs of the LGBTQ+ population. The study shows that addressing these longstanding disparities is essential for improving overall public health outcomes within the state.