This report exists because too many LGBTQ+ people in Ireland are struggling to survive and make ends meet in silence. For a long time, there has been an assumption that LGBTQ+ people are doing well economically, driven by narratives like the “pink pound” that mask poverty and inequality within our community. That assumption has shaped policy, funding, and public debate. The evidence in this report shows that it is wrong. Many LGBTQ+ people are finding it hard to make ends meet, worrying about bills, cutting back on food and heating, and living with constant financial stress. For some, this pressure is temporary. For others, it is a daily reality...

P.12 Predictors and pathways into poverty: Wilson et al. (2020) conducted a qualitative study involving 93 LGBTQ people living in Los Angeles and Kern County, with a focus on understanding the pathways into poverty. The study identified several contributing factors, including childhood poverty, bias within families and employment settings, early parenthood without sufficient support from partners, families or communities, and challenges linked to mental health and substance use.

P.21 As discussed earlier, LGBTQ+ people who hold intersecting marginalised identities face increased risk of poverty and social exclusion. A scoping review by Adley et al. examined health and social service pathways for LGBTQ+ adults in Ireland and the UK who experience multiple disadvantages, including homelessness, substance use and involvement with the criminal justice system. The authors concluded that there is limited research adequately capturing the health and social care experiences of LGBTQ+ people with multiple minority identities, but that the available studies point to substantial challenges and unmet need, reinforcing the urgency of intersectional approaches to service design and policy (Adley et al., 2025).