Published June 25, 2026

June is Pride Month, a time to pause and celebrate the incredible impact lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) individuals historically and currently have on our world.  

 

As this month of celebration closes out, it’s a great time for anti-hunger organizations to assess how to start or deepen work to support LGBTQ+ families and individuals experiencing food insecurity all year round.   

 

LGBT individuals have long experienced disproportionately higher rates of poverty and hunger than non-LGBT individuals, with particularly high rates among certain segments of the LGBT population, including young adults, women, and Black, Latinx, American Indian, and Pacific Islander individuals. Data on poverty and food insecurity among LGBTQ+ individuals are essential for understanding the need for action to support LGBTQ+ communities. Yet, there have been recent moves to disrupt federal collection of data on LGBTQ+ people.  

Anti-hunger organizations can be important players in identifying and addressing food insecurity and economic insecurity among LGBTQ+ individuals and families by:  

 

  • Advocating for policies that protect and support LGBTQ+ people, including non-discrimination protections — Discrimination in the workplace and elsewhere can exacerbate poverty and struggles to obtain enough food. At the federal level, organizations can support the Equality Act (H.R. 15/S.1503), landmark federal legislation to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics. And, join the National Center for LGBTQ Rights (NCLR) and FRAC as a member of the National LGBTQ Anti-Poverty Action Network for more opportunities to take action. For state policy opportunities, organizations can connect with LGBTQ+ organizations in their area and check out the Movement Advancement Project’s (MAP) Equality Maps. MAP also has resources to help state and local governments responsibly collect data in the absence of federal collections.  
  • Connecting LGBTQ+ individuals and families with low incomes to federal nutrition programs — Federal nutrition programs are essential supports for LGBTQ+ individuals and families with low incomes. Tailored outreach and messaging can help ensure eligible LGBTQ+ families and individuals are connected to the programs. To help spread the word on nutrition programs, check out Federal Nutrition Programs and Emergency Food Referral Chart For LGBTQ Individuals & Families, a resource from FRAC and NCLR that can be tailored with local information. And learn more in this factsheet from  FRAC and the National Women’s Law Center about how SNAP time limits harm the LGBTQ+ community and how you can take action with FRAC’s SNAP Cuts Mitigation Hub. 
  • Building partnerships with LGBTQ+ organizations and creating welcoming spaces — Check out what LGBTQ+ centers are in your area and reach out to see how you can support each other’s work. Partner organizations may also be able to offer training, messaging, and policy recommendations to help anti-hunger organizations be a welcoming space for LGBTQ+ individuals and families. This can be especially important in the anti-hunger space as LGBTQ+ individuals may be hesitant to apply for government programs or access food from food pantries affiliated with religious groups if they have encountered discrimination or unwelcoming behavior in the past when seeking support.