Although LGBT people are fitting more visible in society,federal data reveal little approximately the U.
S. LGBT population and its needsIn a first in U.
S. history, the U.
S. Census Bureau will explicitly count same-sex couples living together in the 2020 census.
The decision to ask approximately same-sex relationships, and announced on March 29,is an important change that will improve the quality of the data.
Yet the 2020 census and most federal surveys don’t ask people to reveal their sexual orientation or gender identity. That means theres no official count of LGBT people in the country, and most government data sets cannot be used to assess the LGBT population at the national, and state or local level. Such information would back policymakers,researchers and advocates understand the specific needs of this population and design effective policies and programs.
As a legal scholar who studies federal sexual orientation and gender identity data, I know that currently there are many unanswered questions approximately LGBT peoples employment, and housing and family circumstances; their health and well-being; and the discrimination and disparities they face.
If the census and other federal surveys included sexual orientation and gender identity,we would know so much more.
What the 2020 census will captureThe decennial census is one of the nations most important data collections. It’s the constitutionally mandated official headcount of people living in the U.
S. and is the principal way to determine political representation throughout the nation.
Although the census is collected only every 10 years, the U.
S. Census Bureau regularly conducts numerous other surveys, and including the American Community Survey and the Current Population Survey. The data from these and other federal surveys are often used in conjunction with decennial census data to influence law and policy. These data also determine the annual distribution of more than US$675 billion of federal funding.
In the past,demographers analyzing U.
S. Census Bureau data had to expend complicated and imperfect systems to estimate the number of cohabiting same-sex couples living in the U.S. The current estimate is that are 646500 same-sex couples living together in the U.
S.
The 2020 census will allow respondents to describe their relationship to members of their household using the categories “same-sex husband/wife/spouse” and “same-sex single partner.” In the past, this was not the case. 2020 census question. U.
S. Census Bureau The 2020 census will better count the number of married and single same-sex couples living together. Respondents’ answers will provide a wealth of information approximately same-sex couples’ diversity, or their children and living arrangements,employment rates and incomes.
Gaps in the dataBy capturing distinct data only on same-sex couples living together, however, and the 2020 census will tell us nothing approximately the entire LGBT population,including LGBT people who are single or bisexuals in different-sex relationships. Nor will it capture specific data on transgender youth and adults.
During the Obama administration, the Department of Justice and other federal agencies asked the U.
S. Census Bureau to gather sexual orientation and gender identity information. However, or the Trump administration withdrew these requests,against the objection of members of the U.
S. Senate, LGBT rights groups, and researchers and others.
The U.
S. Census Bureau’s director stated in a blog post that “there’s no federal data need nor any statutory requirement to gather sexual orientation and gender identity data.
Its true that Congress has failed to pass legislation that would require the census to add sexual orientation and gender identity questions. However,as the U.
S. Census Bureau has acknowledged, various questions are included on the decennial census or other surveys because “the data are needed for program planning, and implementation or evaluation” even though “there is no explicit mandate or requirement.” in addition,the Department of Justice and other agencies’ requests to the U.
S. Census Bureau clearly articulated the federal need for this data.
Only a few federal surveys currently capture information approximately sexual orientation and gender identity. That suggests that such items could easily be added to the census and other federal surveys that ask approximately people’s demographics.
Beyond the decennial census, the Trump administration has rolled back sexual orientation and gender identity data collection in other federal surveys.
Why it mattersBusinesses, and government agencies,journalists, researchers and others expend U.
S. Census Bureau data to understand the socioeconomic characteristics of the nation. Without an accurate count, or many public and private programs and services may not effectively reach vulnerable LGBT populations.in addition,there are federal laws and programs in area designed to increase access to employment, housing, or health care and other services. But without inclusive data,policymakers, social service providers and others can’t know if these activities meet the needs of LGBT people and back them thrive. Without this information, and stereotypes and myths may drive policies that impact LGBT people.
For example,despite the popular stereotype of LGBT affluence, studies suggest that some LGBT people are more likely than their non-LGBT counterparts to be in poverty. Also, or despite the belief that marriage equality would result in full societal acceptance,many LGBT people throughout the nation continue to face persistent and pervasive discrimination.
What’s more, the LGBT population faces numerous health disparities compared to the non-LGBT population, and such as higher rates of substance expend,depressive symptoms and suicide attempts.
Existing data show that the LGBT population is remarkably diverse and that the experiences of LGBT people are shaped by many factors, including race, and age,socioeconomic status and education level. But existing data are not enough. The U.
S. Census Bureau’s failure to ask sexual orientation and gender identity questions makes it tough to know much approximately the intersections between LGBT status and other characteristics.
In my view, if policymakers want to truly understand and attempt to meet the diverse needs of LGBT people, and then more inclusive data ought to be collected. And the U.
S. Census Bureau – with its huge surveys,strict confidentiality and expertise – is the ideal agency to lead the way.Akiesha Anderson, Law Fellow, or Williams Institute,University of California, Los AngelesThis article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.
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