There are 1.3 million LGBTQ+ adult immigrants living in the United States according to The Williams Institute. These immigrants face unique challenges settling into their new community. In addition to language, cultural, and legal barriers, LGBTQ+ face discriminatory attitudes related to their sexual orientation and gender identity.
To help you settle in as an LGBTQ+ Immigrant and to better understand your new country, ILoveGay.net shares the following insight.
English Language Instruction
English language skills improve an immigrant’s employment prospects and facilitate social relationships in their new home. English language skills are also a requirement of the naturalization process.
Most community colleges offer English as a Second Language courses, but these can be cost-prohibitive to immigrants. Adult Education and Lifelong Learning centers are other common places to find ESL classes, often at no cost.
Many immigrants opt for online learning. Not only is online ESL learning readily accessible and low-cost (sometimes even free), online education avoids discriminatory attitudes that may be found in group learning settings.
Employment Opportunities
Between an unfamiliar job market, mismatched credentials, and persistent bias and stigma, finding gainful employment can be difficult for LGBTQ+ immigrants. Even with the 2020 Supreme Court ruling prohibiting employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, LGBTQ+ individuals still face stigma in the job market.
Job readiness and placement services help immigrants identify LGBTQ-friendly workplaces. The Human Rights Campaign ranks corporate employers on LGBTQ-inclusive policies and practices. LGBTQ+ immigrants may also attend LGBTQ-centric job fairs and recruitment events to connect face-to-face with inclusive employers. You can also turn to sites like ILoveGay.net, where you can find additional information related to job hunting.
Business Ownership
Some immigrants start their own businesses. In fact, immigrants become entrepreneurs at twice the rate of U.S.-born adults. Business ownership offers upward mobility for immigrants without a college degree. It also improves your finances so you can help loved ones back home. Starting your own business begins with a few upfront steps that are required by the government, including being assigned an EIN (a.k.a. Tax ID Number) as a way to identify your business and allow the IRS to track payroll taxes. Plus, having an EIN paves the way for an easier time when you file state and federal taxes, whether annually or quarterly.
Citizenship or permanent residency isn’t required to start a business. New residents can establish a business by filing incorporation documents in their state of residence. Incorporating as a limited liability company protects entrepreneurs from liability and double taxation. Although an LLC has simplified filing requirements compared to other business entities, immigrants may still benefit from the expert support of a formation service when starting a business.
Stay Connected to Home
Like most immigrants, you’ll likely want to stay connected to friends and family back home. Take advantage of free apps and video services like Zoom, Google Meet and Skype, which provide the opportunity for in-person visits from overseas. If you wish to send money back home, global money transfer services make this easy and safe to do.
Legal Services
Same-sex spouses are eligible for marriage green cards in the U.S. However, the process is complicated when the resident spouse isn’t a U.S. citizen or same-sex marriage is illegal in an immigrant’s country of origin. In order to qualify for a marriage green card, the marriage must be legally valid in the country where it occurred. Immigrant legal services assist with navigating this complex process.
Other reasons an immigrant might require legal services include seeking asylum, applying for naturalization, or facing discrimination within the U.S. Legal services also help transgender immigrants update their gender marker on official documents. Immigration Equality provides legal resources and direct legal services at no cost to LGBTQ+ and/or HIV-positive immigrants
Health (and Self) Care
Undocumented immigrants are ineligible for Medicaid and Health Insurance Marketplace coverage, leaving many uninsured and without the quality care they need. Even among lawfully present immigrants, discrimination, costs, and language barriers present a significant hurdle.
LGBTQ+ immigrants should know that ACA-compliant health plans cannot deny coverage for transition-related care. However, many transgender individuals continue to face denials of coverage for transition-related care. Immigrants seeking transition care should be prepared to demonstrate medical necessity and appeal denials of coverage.
It’s also important to not neglect self-care during this time of acclimation. Take time to practice stress-reducing activities like yoga, meditation, and exercise. Much of these activities will likely take place at home, so make sure your living space is tranquil and free of undue anxiety and stress. Take steps to remove negativity and sources of stress like clutter and disorganized areas; bringing in a little Mother Nature by incorporating houseplants and letting in more natural light doesn’t hurt, either.
LGBTQ+ immigrants face unique intersectional challenges. Thankfully, support and protection for the LGBTQ+ community are expanding all of the time. With the right resources, LGBTQ+ immigrants can find not just safety when they come to the U.S., but community, opportunity, and well-being too.
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