According to the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index survey, in which 2,964 LGBT adults and 81,134 non-LGBT adults were interviewed, the gays aren’t so gay after all.
Not that the heteros are much happier.
Straight adults scored 62, while LGBT adults scored four points lower, at 58.
According to the study, the “disadvantage in overall well-being is more acute for LGBT women than for LGBT men. LGBT women have a Well-Being Index score of 57, well below the score of 63 for non-LGBT women. LGBT men also lag behind their non-LGBT counterparts in overall well-being, but not by as much — 59 vs 61, respectively.”
The report found that our “biggest hurdle” is financial. There’s a 10 percent difference (29/39) between the financial stability of the LGBT and non-LGBT groups.
LGBT women also suffer the greatest physically. There’s a 12 percent difference (24/36) between gay and straight women’s physical health prosperity.
The study states that a variety of factors could contribute to LGBT women’s disproportionately lower physical well-being. A recent analysis of the 2013 National Health Interview Survey reported higher levels of smoking and alcohol consumption among LGB women than among non-LGB women, as well as elevated weight and psychological distress among bisexual women.”
If you weren’t depressed before reading the study, you will be after. LGBT people also rank lower in social well-being, in how connected we are to where we live and our overall sense of purpose.
Still dominating in fabulousness, though!
Why you can trust Xtra
