Creating lesbian gay and bisexual visibility through advocating for the collection of sexual orientation data

Lesbian, gay and bisexual people cannot have their health needs and disparities adequately addressed until they are routinely identified in research studies and program evaluations. The easiest way to do this is by routinely including “sexual orientation” as a demographic variable in such studies and evaluations. I have worked with researchers and program managers everywhere from small community-based organizations to those studying health at the national and international levels. I identified eight concerns that are routinely raised by individuals who want to collect sexual orientation data in their work. Each of these concerns is reasonable and must be addressed before data can be collected.

These concerns are: 1. Is sexual orientation relevant to the study? 2. How much will it cost to collect sexual orientation data? 3. Will subjects refuse to answer sexual orientation questions or break-off interviews when asked such questions? 4. Could findings be used to stigmatize sexual minority populations? 5. Will there be enough power to analyze data if groups are small? 6. Is sexual orientation a proxy for more relevant variables that should be measured instead? 7. Are there political ramifications of collecting sexual orientation data that one needs to be aware of before collecting such data? 8. Are there valid and reliable measures of sexual orientation?

Each of these concerns will be identified, described and addressed in this presentation in order for participants to be able to successfully advocate for the inclusion of sexual orientation variables where they work and in their communities.