The census is about identity - let's leave it at that.

We don't ask people how often (or even whether) they go to church, or Maori people whether they ever go to a marae. I think the attraction and behaviour questions can be left aside.

And of course the census questionnaire can't just keep growing in length.

When doing research concerning the LGBTIQQ+ people inNZ it is incredibly frustrating that there is no documented data to work from. While I think it's great that the Health Survey is now seeking data unlike the census not everyone takes part in it so while its a great start its usefulness is decreased. I think it's beyond time that sexual orientation was included in the census. Heteronormativity is alive and kicking in the health sector and probably many others, a good idea of numbers of people who identify with the LGBTQQI+ community would be helpful.

I read elsewhere on this board that Statistics NZ consider health to be the main concern for LGBTQQI+ people. I would suggest while health issues are of concern that is dragging people's sexual orientation back to them as sexual beings. In fact LGBTQQI+ people have many issues other than health. These include but are not limited to violence, suicide, homelessness, increased risk of poverty (particularly lesbian women and Transgender people) and discrimination. There is a real need for us to have an understanding of how many LGBTQQI+ people we have nearing retirement so we can forward pls for their housing needs in later life.
As a Lesbian who is also a researcher and a Registered Nurse it is beyond frustrating to hear that sexual orientation isn't seen as important. One of the results of my research is that lesbian and bisexual women are deeply hidden in society and often their needs are overlooked.

One of the great strengths of the Census is providing regional data. As @sianmunson and @pegasusspringtail have commented, this could be useful for developing retirement housing and business planning. How else do people see regional data around sexual orientation being useful?

Anyone else want to comment on whether the three aspects of sexual orientation are needed (sexual identity, sexual attraction, sexual behaviour) or whether sexual identity, (as proposed by @richardarnold) is sufficient for the Census?

I agree with Richard both for asking often as education
"New Zealanders will get used to a question of this sort the more often they are asked it, and the more normal and everyday it becomes. The sooner we start asking, the sooner we’ll get to that state. "

And that sexuality identification is sufficient for the Census. Other surveys or research may go deeper but having a minimum base would be helpful.

I think at this stage sexual identity would be sufficient although the researcher in me wants attraction and behaviour as well because sometimes behaviour or attraction aren't seen as identity in some people.

Other areas of use for the data would be for data for funding submissions for LGBTQQI projects, giving an idea as to whether the project was sustainable or required in an area. An example might be an LGBTQQI focused rape crisis service or LGBTQQI victim support or health service.

Kia ora,

Apologies that I don't have an opportunity to review all comments before making my own.

Agree in principle with the idea of capturing sexual orientation, as there is a significant need for resources to be directed to support this community, and for building in contract clauses around requirements for mainstream providers to specifically work to be inclusive of this community.

However, feel it could be easily confused with, or miss, 'sexual behaviour', which can be different to what someone describes their orientation as. In terms of targeting health $$, sexual behaviour may be a more relevant piece of information to capture.

As a common example, a cisgendered male may identify as heterosexual and wish to marry someone who identifies as female, but have sex with other cisgendered men at some point (or though out their life). In terms of health, their sexual behaviour puts them at a higher risk of contracting HIV, but their orientation does not.

But then, issues of disclosing sexual behaviour in a multi-person dwelling could also be problematic!

In short, I fully support and hope that the census captures some information around sexual orientation or behaviour, as more information is always better than less!

The very question being present in the census also helps to raise awareness across Aotearoa, and helps us progress as a society towards being more inclusive and welcoming.

Thanks

I was on the fence, but the discussion here makes it seem like it would be useful to include a question on sexual orientation. I think it would be easiest to ask for sexual identity, and leave it up to the person answering to decide what exactly that means to them if the answer isn't straightforward. The options suggested by Pegasus Springtail would be suitable for anyone, as they also include the right to opt out, or fill in an identity that doesn't fit the main categories.

Some have suggested putting an age limit on this question. I think we need to consider that kids are going through puberty at earlier ages, and some are coming out in their tweens. They should be counted and have their identities respected. But I imagine most would simply tick "don't know" or "none/asexual" (or their parents would so so for them if they're too young to fill out a form). Either way, I think it's good to send a message that it's their identity and that it counts.

In terms of precedents for studying sexual orientation through questionnaires in NZ, it would be worth looking into The New Zealand Attitudes and Values Study: http://www.psych.auckland.ac.nz/en/about/our-research/research-groups/new-zealand-attitudes-and-values-study.html
The fifth wave of this study includes the question "How would you describe your sexual orientation?", and simply provides a blank to fill in. They explained that they "opted for an open-ended item so as not to assume particular orientations or descriptions [which] allowed participants to describe their sexual orientation using whatever terms they preferred.

Unfortunately they haven't released any studies on the results at this stage, but the data is available here: https://cdn.auckland.ac.nz/assets/psych/about/our-research/nzavs/NZAVSTechnicalDocuments/NZAVS-Technical-Documents-e20-Sexual-Orientation-Statistical-Standard.xlsx
In 2014, 74.7% expressed Heterosexuality, 4.5% expressed non-heterosexuality, and 20.9% refused or were invalid. What is also clear is that many (5.6%) didn't understand the question, so the design of the question and provision of options/suggestions are important factors in producing accurate and useful data.

Thanks everyone for contributing to a really high quality discussion about the need for data on Sexual Orientation. A few people have mentioned the consequences of NOT having data on Sexual Orientation (homeless options potentially not being LGBTIQ friendly, needs for older LGBTIQ people...). More information or stories like this could also contribute towards a demonstration of need for data.

This has probably been said,
Ive been working in supporting LGBTIQ young people for years and the most common thing that i hear is "well, whats the point, theres only one or two of you anyway" people don't want to change their systems because they think there is no need purely because our community never gets included in surveys so we don't know the real number. Well actually, "we" know the number, the people who actually work to support LGBTIQ people. Health services/ schools / homeless shelters, any services that works with wellbeing, etc don't know the numbers and don't see the need to change for something they don't believe is a real need.

In the mean time, organisations are running to support the LGBTIQ community that are being left out of the mainstream and the people who are supporting those people are untrained, un paid and massively overworked. All because the people who should be doing that work and think there is no need, don't have the numbers.

Workplace productivity research shows that where people feel marginalised or bullied that their productivity is reduced. Many corporates are considering signing up to diversity programmes like the Rainbow Tick or getting a copy of the NZ Standard for Rainbow Diversity. Employers don't just do this to be nice. They want the best outcomes for their company and this may include health and well-being of staff. More information about who New Zealanders are - as workers, customers, and students - will help ensure their needs are considered and appropriate policies adopted.

Does a workplace family picnic include same sex couples? Are same sex couples with children welcome at the local school? Will a parent who is transitioning be treated with respect at parent teacher evening? What about a transgender teacher at a parent teacher evening?

Showing there are more than straight and cisgender people in the world, and having an idea about that diversity, will help central and local government plan services, support and information. For example, LGBTIQ people are more vulnerable to being on the receiving end of violence than straight and cisgender people but the number of trained Diversity Liaison Officers in the police force is inadequate to ensure sensitive and appropriate support to LGBTIQ victims of crime. Better data about population groups may help justify additional professional development and support. Mind you, I also think the same about more women in the police force for similar reasons.

At some future time if prejudice against people of different sexual orientations didn't exist, then the questions could be reviewed. For now there is a need for information.

Loomio discussions AND the submissions close on the 30th June.

As I have said before, there has been really high quality discussion in this thread and I strongly encourage you to make a formal submission.

While all the discussions on Loomio will be formally assessed, your best opportunity to influence census content is to make a submission.

Thanks @kayscarlet and @kabelmanga1 for those examples.

Are there questions in the census that people are interested in having a breakdown by Sexual Orientation? (See the census forms or the Preliminary Views paper).

It's all closing today - Loomio discussions and the submissions.

So there is still time to make a formal submission or put down your last thoughts here.

Thanks for contributing to such a good discussion.