Once Again, Queer Australians Are Being Ignored By The Census
We still rely on estimations about the makeup of Australia's LGBTIQ population.
Have you received your Census form in the mail? Had a quick flip through? Well, you might have noticed that yet again, it does not ask any questions regarding sexual orientation.
The Australian Census is the nation’s largest survey that tracks changes in population, housing, health conditions, religion and more. Its robust data is used by governments and advocacy groups to help decide where to direct funding. So you would think that it would be rather important that it ask about sexuality, particularly when we have no clear idea of the diversity of sexual orientation in Australia. Instead, the number of queer people in Australia are estimated from smaller surveys and studies.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) did consider including a question about sexual orientation (along with gender identity). It went through a Review of Census Topics a couple of years ago. But after a lengthy process including government consultation, the ABS believed its inclusion was “too sensitive and risked public backlash,” according to the Guardian.
There will be two new questions though — the first significant changes to the survey since 2006: they ask about long-term health conditions and participation in the Australian Defence Force.
The LGBTI Health Network had lobbied for the inclusion of a question about sexuality, explaining, “we find ourselves on the backfoot of much needed data that would help us to understand our communities’ health and wellbeing needs.”
Why does the Australian #Census21 STILL not ask any questions about LGBTQI+?
People are more than an age, income and ethnicity.
How are we ever going to have targeted support for our community when we don’t even know its stats?
This needs to change, yesterday. #auspol
— Ryan Parker (@ryannnparker) July 30, 2021
Australian census arrived yesterday. They want to know my religion, they don’t care about my sexuality. We are here, we exist, we matter. #census #Census21 @ABSStats @MichaelSukkarMP #Homophobia #PrejudiceEqualsIgnorance
— Paul H?wat?️?AbolishTheDay (@drpwh62) July 29, 2021
Instead, sexual orientation will remain an estimation in Australia. Cool.