More than half of LGBTQ+ adults in Massachusetts experienced food insecurity in 2024, according to a study published in JAMA Network Open.
Researchers also found that food insecurity increased from 2022 to 2024 and remained significantly more common among LGBTQ+ adults than among non-LGBTQ+ adults.
Food insecurity disproportionately affects LGBTQ+ adults
The study analyzed data from 9,174 adults who participated in the Massachusetts Statewide Food Access Survey between 2022 and 2024. Researchers found that 54.9% of LGBTQ+ adults experienced food insecurity in 2024, compared with 33.3% of non-LGBTQ+ adults. The disparity persisted throughout the study period, even after accounting for demographic and socioeconomic differences.
Food insecurity occurs when people do not have reliable access to enough affordable, nutritious food. While previous research has shown that LGBTQ+ people face higher rates of food insecurity, less was known about how these disparities have changed over time or what barriers may limit access to food assistance programs.
Researchers therefore examined trends in food insecurity, food pantry use, and participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), as well as barriers to accessing these resources.
“More than half of LGBTQ+ adults in Massachusetts experienced food insecurity in 2024,” said lead author Austin R. Waters, research fellow in the LGBTQ Health Center of Excellence at the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute. “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.”
Common barriers include privacy concerns, self-reliance, and embarrassment
Although food insecurity increased during the study period, use of food assistance programs remained relatively unchanged. Among LGBTQ+ adults who did not use food pantries, common barriers included a desire to remain self-reliant, embarrassment, concerns about others finding out, and difficulties accessing information or services. Several of these barriers increased over time.
“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,” said Waters. “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.”
LGBTQ+ community-informed solutions could improve access and uptake
Participants suggested several ways to improve access, including grocery gift cards, home delivery, curbside pickup, online ordering, and assistance navigating SNAP enrollment.
“This study highlights a persistent public health inequity that extends beyond economic stability alone,” said senior author Brittany Charlton, Harvard Medical School associate professor of population medicine at the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute. “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.”
Findings highlight opportunities for policy and program improvements
The researchers say future interventions should be developed in partnership with LGBTQ+ communities to make services more accessible, inclusive, and responsive to their needs. As policymakers debate changes to food assistance programs and many households continue to face high food costs, targeted efforts to improve access could help reduce longstanding disparities in food security.
