Expanding SOGIESC Data Collection Through Partnerships

Summary: Data collection is critical to the development of sound policies and programs, particularly on issues related to sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC). Accurate data is essential to fully understand the experiences and needs of populations with diverse SOGIESC and to identify areas where inequalities and discrimination persist around the world.

This brief describes strategies to improve SOGIESC data collection through a variety of collaborations across institutions and sectors: 1) partnerships between research institutions and private polling firms; 2) partnerships between research institutions and government agencies; and 3) partnerships between research institutions and civil society organizations and networks. 

This study uses 2015 and 2018–2020 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) data.

Findings: Highlights include: 

• Polling firms can provide access to populations of interest but may lack specialized expertise in SOGIESC measures.
• Opportunities to inform government agencies may depend available resources, level of LGBTQI+ acceptance, and political will. 
• Civil society organizations bring connections to the LGBTQI+ community, higher participation rates, and cultural sensitivity.

While the viability of some strategies may depend upon local contexts, including the legal and social environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI+) people, authors hope these offer frameworks for envisioning new projects, collaborations, and pathways to improve data collection on SOGIESC.

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