LGBT Month: A Move to Improve Data to Protect LGBT Communities

IMG_7424” by krytofr licensed under CC BY 2.0

Source: KQED

Following the increase of school programs covering gender identity in health courses, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) called for more data to be collected from the U.S. Census Bureau regarding sexual orientation.

The move from HUD is in response to the Census Bureau’s failure to collect data on gender identity and sexual orientation of Americans, including in the American Community Survey.

The American Community Survey, which reports on 3 million households within the US, helps to determine how government funds should be distributed to various services.

Many believe more surveys and information regarding LGBT individuals would help the HUD implement a rule that prohibits discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender tenants.

‘Valid, reliable, and nationally representative data on sexual orientation and gender identity are essential to HUD fulfilling its mission,” said former HUD Secretary Julian Castro.

Read full story at: KQED

Justice & Poverty, News
Justice & Poverty, News