News and Events => People news => Topic started by: Jessica_Rose on February 16, 2024, 08:23:03 AM Return to Full Version

Title: Proposed questions on sexual orientation and gender identity for the Census...
Post by: Jessica_Rose on February 16, 2024, 08:23:03 AM
Proposed questions on sexual orientation and gender identity for the Census Bureau's biggest survey

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/proposed-questions-on-sexual-orientation-and-gender-identity-for-the-census-bureau-s-biggest-survey/ar-BB1inH7H?cvid=1356f584aa4748b0afeaf805c70b8c4b&ei=8

Story by By MIKE SCHNEIDER

The U.S. Census Bureau this year plans to test questions about sexual orientation and gender identity for its most comprehensive survey of American life.

The test questions will be sent to 480,000 households, with the statistical agency expecting just over half to respond.

If the questions are approved, it will be the first time sexual orientation and gender identity questions are asked on the American Community Survey, which already asks questions about commuting times, internet access, family life, income, education levels, disabilities and military service, among other topics.

Gender question one: What sex was Name assigned at birth?
Gender question two: What is Name's current gender?
Possible answers: Male; Female; Transgender; Nonbinary; and "This person uses a different term" (with a space to write in a response).

The second gender question will be tested in two different ways to determine whether to give respondents the opportunity to select multiple answers.

Sexual orientation question: Which of the following best represents how Name thinks of themselves?
Possible answers: Gay or lesbian; Straight — that is not gay or lesbian; Bisexual; and This person uses a different term (with space to write-in a response).

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Please don't respond to these questions here! This is simply a news article, not a poll question.

Love always -- Jessica Rose
Title: Re: Proposed questions on sexual orientation and gender identity for the Census...
Post by: KathyLauren on February 16, 2024, 03:05:40 PM
Canada's census had similar questions the last time around.  A lot of people found them invasive. 

On the other hand, Statistics Canada had absolutely no idea how many of us there were prior to bringing in these questions.  Even though the numbers of LGBTQ+ people is probably under-counted due to people closing the closet door when the feds come calling, at least they now have some idea how many of us there are, and programs and policies can respond accordingly.  (A double-edged sword, of course, depending on who is in power.)
Title: Re: Proposed questions on sexual orientation and gender identity for the Census...
Post by: Lori Dee on February 17, 2024, 10:35:15 AM
I don't have an issue with the first question. It refers to a historical event (at birth) that we had no control over, and who we are now.

However, question number two is nobody's business, especially the government. What happens behind closed doors should stay behind closed doors, and does not need to become part of the public record. People change their sexual preferences all the time. Some might drift between straight, bi, to gay/lesbian, and back and forth. NOBODY's business.
Title: Re: Proposed questions on sexual orientation and gender identity for the Census...
Post by: Jessica_K on February 17, 2024, 12:51:53 PM
Last UK census 2021 had

Is the gender you identify with the same as your sex registered at birth?"

Just the one question

Title: Re: Proposed questions on sexual orientation and gender identity for the Census...
Post by: Donica on February 17, 2024, 06:21:40 PM
https://www.hrc.org/resources/juror-non-discrimination-act-jury-access-act

There are currently 11 states that prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in jury selection, while only 8 states prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender identity in jury selection.