New report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
New report provides standards for sexual orientation and gender identity data collection
Today, the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) released a groundbreaking report that addresses data collection on sexual orientation, gender identity, and variations in sex characteristics in a variety of settings.
The report is the result of a year-long effort by a multidisciplinary panel of experts—including Rabbi Barbara Zacky Senior Scholar of Policy Bianca D.M. Wilson. In the report, the team of experts offers guidance and best practices for collecting data on sexual orientation, gender identity, and variations in sex characteristics in population-based surveys, as well as administrative settings (such as grant and job applications) and clinical settings (such as doctors’ offices or clinical trials). In addition, they provide guiding principles for data collection, including inclusiveness, precision, and a dedication to privacy.
For more than 20 years, the Williams Institute has provided federal agencies with research and guidance on adding sexual orientation and gender identity questions to federal surveys. Today's report provides a solid foundation for expanding these efforts in the interest of improving the well-being of the LGBTQI+ population.
