Pride and Pandemic is a joint study between La Trobe University's Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society and LGBTIQ+ Health Australia.
It explores experiences of LGBTQ+ adults aged 18 and over in Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on mental health outcomes and the coping strategies used to mitigate these. The study comprised a large online survey followed by focus group discussions with young people, trans and gender diverse people, LGBTQ+ people from culturally diverse communities, and those who are part of rainbow families, defined as LGBTQ+ people who are parents or care for young children.
The Pride and Pandemic report highlights ongoing challenges faced by the LGBTQ community in Australia including poor mental health outcomes, systemic discrimination, and barriers to equitable and affirming healthcare. For the LGBTQ community, the data collected through Pride and Pandemic would suggest that the pandemic made an already challenging situation worse. The report details several recommendations calling for immediate action to reduce health disparities and ensure that the wellbeing of LGBTQ communities does not deteriorate further.