Poverty isn’t some cosmic accident. It’s not “tough luck” or the universe saying “screw you” to a select group of people. Poverty exists because we’ve designed systems that keep a few fat cats rolling in luxury while millions of people, including a disproportionate number of LGBTQIA+ folks, are left fighting for scraps. And yeah, it’s bullshit. Let’s talk about it.

First, let’s get one thing straight (pun intended): the rich aren’t just wealthy. They’re hoarders. Billionaires are not cute little success stories; they’re human-sized vacuums, sucking up resources faster than the planet can produce them. Jeff Bezos didn’t wake up one morning and say, “I’m going to work harder than a nurse pulling a double shift or a teacher juggling 30 kids.” No, he exploited workers, tax loopholes, and the public infrastructure we all paid for.

Meanwhile, LGBTQIA+ individuals, who are more likely to face job discrimination, family rejection, and barriers to education, get the short end of this shitty stick. According to a 2019 Williams Institute study, LGBTQIA+ adults are nearly twice as likely to live in poverty compared to their cisgender, heterosexual counterparts. But you don’t see billionaires throwing money at solutions. They’re too busy funding their next space dick-rocket.

Capitalism doesn’t just hate poor people; it actively targets marginalized communities. LGBTQIA+ folks face systemic barriers that make escaping poverty harder than trying to get through TSA wearing 14 piercings.

And here’s the kicker: these issues aren’t bugs in the system; they’re features. The system is working exactly as designed—to enrich the already-rich while screwing everyone else.

Here’s where it gets even darker: the money that could feed, house, and care for millions is there. It exists. But it’s locked up in offshore accounts, luxury real estate, and stock buybacks. While billionaires buy yachts the size of small countries, queer folks are crowdfunding medical procedures and facing eviction over a single missed paycheck.

Think about this: if the richest 1% paid just their fair share of taxes, we could fund universal healthcare, education, and housing. Hell, we could probably throw in free therapy for everyone because, let’s face it, we’re all traumatized. But no—instead, they’ve convinced us that taxing them fairly is somehow “communism” and that we should just work harder. Newsflash: you can’t budget your way out of systemic oppression.

If you’re queer and a person of color? The system’s out to bury you. Black, Latinx, and Indigenous LGBTQIA+ individuals face compounded barriers that make the whole “bootstraps” bullshit even more laughable.

For example, Black trans women experience poverty rates of over 34%, according to the National Center for Transgender Equality. Add systemic racism to the mix, and you’ve got a recipe for lifelong economic struggle. Meanwhile, corporations slap a rainbow on their logo every June and act like they’ve done something.

Remember when they told us that tax breaks for the rich would “trickle down” to the rest of us? Yeah, that was a steaming pile of crap. Instead of reinvesting in communities, corporations and billionaires hoarded the savings, driving up income inequality and leaving marginalized folks—especially LGBTQIA+ individuals—to fend for themselves.

Trickle-down economics works about as well as trickle-down human rights. We’re still fighting for basic protections while billionaires lobby against minimum wage increases. The rich don’t give a damn about you, your queer friends, or anyone else who can’t fund their next island purchase.

While governments and corporations fail us, LGBTQIA+ communities have long turned to mutual aid to survive. These networks are lifesaving, but they’re not a substitute for systemic change. Queer folks shouldn’t have to rely on GoFundMe campaigns to pay for surgeries or rent. We need structural reforms that redistribute wealth and prioritize human dignity over profit margins.

Alright, so what do we do about it? Here are some ways we can fight back:

Poverty exists not because we can’t feed the poor, but because we can’t satisfy the rich. It’s a brutal truth that hits marginalized communities hardest, especially LGBTQIA+ folks who are already navigating a minefield of discrimination. The system is rigged, but that doesn’t mean we have to accept it. By organizing, voting, and holding the rich accountable, we can create a world where no one has to choose between survival and dignity.

Until then, let’s keep fighting, keep supporting each other, and maybe—just maybe—light a few metaphorical fires under the asses of those hoarding wealth. Because no one should have to live in poverty while billionaires argue over the color of their private jets.