U.S. Census to Include Gender Identity, Sexual Orientation Questions

The move aims to better understand LGBTQ+ diversity, amid public support and political concerns.

The U.S. Census Bureau plans to test questions on gender identity and sexual orientation for the first time, aiming to include them in the American Community Survey.
The proposed questions will be sent to 480,000 households, with responses expected from just over half. They aim to better understand the diversity of LGBTQ+ people in the U.S.
Public comments on the proposed questions have been largely supportive, though some have raised concerns about privacy, wording, and inclusivity.
Several Republican senators have objected to the proposed questions, citing concerns about politicizing the survey and violating privacy rights.
The Census Bureau is considering using flash cards and numbered response categories to address privacy concerns during in-person interviews and household responses.