Identification of the non-heterosexual population
In Australia the non-heterosexual population was subject to increased attention during the public debate about same-sex marriage and the activity and subsequent legislative response to the Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey. With the passing of amendments to the Marriage Act to recognise marriage between same sex couples, significant social progress has been made. However the accurate identification of the non-heterosexual population for the purpose of population estimates and demographic characteristics remains outstanding.
Better demographic evidence could highlight where disadvantage and discrimination remain, and population estimates would assist in the planning of appropriate health, social, justice and workforce services.
A direct question on sexual identity will lead to the highest quality population counts of the non-heterosexual population. Because the Census covers the entire population, it is the only data source with the opportunity to accurately count the sub populations which make up the non-heterosexual community. A question allowing identification of gay or lesbians; people who are bisexual; and people who identity as another sexualities which they can specify, would allow the production of counts of not just the community as a whole, but also other populations within the broader non-heterosexual community.
We acknowledge that there are sensitivities around the collection of information on sexual identity. The better identification of same-sex relationships however, could also assist in producing higher quality spatial estimates of the population. Total non-heterosexual population estimates are currently based on survey data (General Social Survey, Household Income and Labour Dynamics Australia, Australian Study of Health and Relationships) but state/territory distributions have been attempted based on same-sex couple identification using Census data (Wilson & Shalley, 2018).
Currently ABS produces estimates of same-sex couple relationships from Census data which combines information from two census questions. However there are a number of limitations including: general issues of Census undercount; no identification of the relationship if neither is person 1; no identification of individuals who are single; no identification of individuals who are in living-apart-together relationships.
The ONS 2011 Household Census Questionnaire allowed for the explicit identification of same-sex couples in questions about how people within a household are related to person 1. Individual person based questions also asked about legal marital and same-sex partnership status. Minor change to the Australian Census form could allow for same.
The inclusion of appropriate questions about the non-heterosexual community will help to further legitimise identification and help to continue an easing of prejudice and discrimination, as well as improving under enumeration.
This submission is requesting at the very least improved identification of same-sex relationships. This provides a stepping stone to a more comprehensive enumeration of the non-heterosexual population. The addition of a more detailed question on sexual identity would allow for a comprehensive population count and data to be disaggregated into the sub population groups of which there is very limited population information.
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Assessment Criteria 1
1.
This topic is of current national importance.
National Importance
Identification of sexual identity/orientation is very uncommon in datasets in Australia – especially those employing population samples (Wooden, 2014). There is dearth of high quality evidence on inequality in socio-economic outcomes that arise from sexual orientation.
Information on the non-heterosexual population is needed across many areas of policy and research:
- Family formations – a significant number of same sex couples have children
- Health disparities – measures of mental and physical health differ between heterosexual people and non-heterosexual people
- Business operations – human resource needs (including supporting workplace diversity), LGBT+ markets
- Employment and earnings – appropriate employment policies, anti-discrimination processes etc
- Justice – discrimination and hate crimes directed at the non-heterosexual community
- Youth and education – pressures, prejudices at school, from peers, relative rates of risk behaviours etc
Without good quality data about the non-heterosexual population there is a risk of falling back on stereotypes, myths about the experiences and the social circumstances of non-heterosexual people (Gates, 2010 LGBT Demographics: Comparisons among population-based surveys).
Assessment Criteria 2
2.
There is a need for data from a Census of the whole population.
For whole population
The non-heterosexual population is relatively small and requires large samples to ensure a sufficient size to underpin meaningful investigation/analysis. Recent estimates of the population size suggest it makes up about 3.2% of the Australian adult population (aged 18 years and over), however prevalence varies considerably by age, sex and spatial distribution. Data from the 2014 GSS and investigation of HILDA data by Wooden (2014) also suggests differential health and well-being outcomes for sub-population groups within the non-heterosexual community on a range of indicators including overall health, and mental health in particular, income levels and experiences of homelessness. A whole of Australia data source is required for an accurate count of these sub populations and their spatial distribution so that services can be appropriately targeted.
Assessment Criteria 3
3.
The topic can be accurately collected in a form which the household completes themselves.
Easy to answer
Census would provide the opportunity for identification with the acknowledgement that it will only be an estimate of the population willing to reveal itself. A simple question on sexual identity has already been in included in ABS surveys, and there are overseas examples pointing to effective ways to better identify same-sex relationships and marital status.
Assessment Criteria 4
4.
The topic would be acceptable to Census respondents.
Acceptable
We believe the positive result of the Australia Marriage Law Survey shows the Australian population is generally supportive of this minority population and we expect them to be receptive to Census questions associated with the identification of non-heterosexual peoples. However we acknowledge that sensitivities remain, particularly amongst some religious groups and in highly conservative rural areas.
Assessment Criteria 5
5.
The topic can be collected efficiently.
Collected efficiently
As mentioned previously, questions associated with same-sex partnering and unions have been included on the ONS UK Census. There are also other examples (US, Canada, NZ). A question on sexual identity has been included in the ABS 2014 General Social Survey however it was only asked of respondents aged 18 years and over - “Which of the following options best describes how you think of yourself? 1. Straight (Heterosexual); 2. Gay or Lesbian; 3. Bisexual; 4. Other; 5. Don’t Know”. The addition of answer categories allowing people to provide “unsure” (sexual identity can be fluid) or “prefer not to answer” (sexual identity remains a sensitive topic for some) may improve responses.
Assessment Criteria 6
6.
There is likely to be a continuing need for data on this topic in the following Census.
Continuing need
The non-heterosexual population will remain and thus data supporting high quality population counts must continue.
Assessment Criteria 7
7.
There are no other alternative data sources or solutions that could meet the topic need.
No alternatives
There are few additional nationally representative sources of data on sexual identity, apart from those mentioned previously. Survey data have significant limitations because of the relative size of the broader population and sub population groups. The spatial distribution and variations across age and gender are important to better quality population estimates.
Any further comments?
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Further comments
References:
T. Wilson and F. Shalley (2018) Estimates of Australia’s non-heterosexual population, Australian Population Studies, Vol 2. No. 1
http://www.australianpopulationstudies.org/index.php/aps/article/view/23
M. Wooden (2014) The Measurement of Sexual Identity in Wave 12 of the HILDA Survey (and associations with mental health and earnings), HILDA Project Discussion Papers Series No. 1/14, Feb 2014, The University of Melbourne, Faculty of Business and Economic.
https://melbourneinstitute.unimelb.edu.au/assets/documents/hilda-bibliography/hilda-discussion-papers/hdps114.pdf
G. Gates (2010) LGBT Demographics: Comparisons among population based surveys, The Williams Institute, UCLA School of Law
https://escholarship.org/uc/item/0kr784fx