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Census 2021 to include LGBTQ+
Brighton & Hove LGBTQ+ Switchboard is working in partnership with the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and the Good Things Foundation to support LGBTQ+ people in completing the 2021 census, which takes place on March 21 with results available in 2022.
Run by ONS, the census is the once-in-a-decade survey that gives the most accurate estimate of all people and households in England and Wales. It has been carried out every decade since 1801, except for 1941.
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Following discussions, testing and research with the public, charities and government bodies, the census will ask two new questions relevant to LGBTQ+ communities on gender identity and sexual orientation. As with all census questions, no personal information is shared, data is anonymised before aggregated statistics are used to shape policies and services.
The voluntary questions will be asked of those aged 16 years+; no-one will be forced to answer. People can also request an individual census questionnaire and give their answers separately to their current household if they wish to.
Iain Bell, deputy national statistician at the ONS, said: “While there are estimates of sexual orientation at a national and regional level, it’s not possible to produce robust estimates for all local authorities – that’s what census data will give.
Iain Bell
“There is no robust data available on gender identity at all. It is needed by local authorities and service providers to inform the provision of services. Sexual orientation and gender identity questions will be voluntary for people aged 16 and over.
“Without robust data on the size of the LGBTQ+ population at a national and local level, decision-makers are operating in a vacuum, unaware of the extent and nature of disadvantage which LGBTQ+ people may be experiencing in terms of health, educational outcomes, employment and housing.”
ONS stresses it will never share personal details, and no-one, including government bodies, will be able to identify individuals in census data. Personal census records will be kept secure for 100 years and only then can future generations view them.
The census will be run mostly online, with households receiving a letter with a unique access code in March, allowing them to complete the questionnaire on computers, tablets, phones or laptops.
Switchboard is on hand to help you apply for an individual code, get a paper copy, help you understand the questions, help those with literacy or IT needs and more. Advisors have been trained by the ONS and can fill in the answers on behalf of the respondent.
Jacob Bayliss, CEO of Switchboard, said: “It’s part of history and proves LGBTQ+ people are around. Communities weren’t counted in the past. The Census is making sure we are counted and are seen. It informs government spending, how charities are funded, or how health services are designed for the future, how population needs to be catered for. This data will be extremely helpful for LGBTQ+ charities too.
Jacob Bayliss
“I can understand people might be resistant to filling it in. I trust the ONS to keep the data safe. There are a lot of safeguards in place.”
To access support, contact Switchboard on 01273 234009. While we are still in lockdown, appointments will be over the phone or online.
