Researching LGBTQ Communities: Best Practices for State & Local Surveys

This is the launch of a new guide from the Williams Institute, designed to help state and local governments, researchers, and community organizations collect reliable, inclusive data on LGBTQ communities. With the ongoing removal of questions about sexual orientation and gender identity in federal surveys, this guide provides timely, practical tools for producing high-quality, community-centered data that can shape effective laws, policies, and programs. Drawing on over two decades of research experience, it offers tested methods for designing surveys that capture the full diversity of LGBTQ experiences and promote equity in health and well-being at the local and state levels.