Date: Monday, December 22, 2025
Hello, we are Veronica S. Smith (she/they) from Data2Insight and Lauren Dixon (they/them) TIG Co-Chair of LGTBQ+ Voices in Evaluation. This is part 2 of a 2-part series about multi-state perspectives on LGBTQIA2S+ data and how evaluators can support its collection.
While LGBTQ+ folx make up less than 10% of all U.S. residents, there are more in each generation. Over 25% of Gen Z adults identify as LGBTQ+ compared to less than 8% of Gen Xers. Despite this, there is virtually no United States Census data about sexual orientation, gender identity and expression (SOGIE). Furthermore, marginalized LGBTQ+ communities experience greater health and socioeconomic challenges. This data gap translates to LGBTQ+ communities being underserved, otherized, and erased. And with targeted attacks on people like U.S. military transgender men and women and historical marginalization, LGBTQ+ folx are in survival mode.
States have been and continue to step up to bridge the SOGIE data gap. Mississippi was one of the early states to conduct a statewide census-like survey in 2019. Washington state, Minnesota, and Maryland recently completed their statewide surveys. And Michigan has a statewide LGBTQ+ survey underway.
One of AEA’s guiding principles for evaluators is to promote transparency and active sharing of data and findings, with the goal of equitable access to information in forms that respect people and honor promises of confidentiality. Given the attacks on the LGBTQ+ community under the Trump administration, there is a greater need for our evaluation and research community to share the responsibility to collect and protect this data that can increase support for and decrease harm to this community.
Here are ideas of how you can meet this moment as an evaluator, researcher, LGBTQ+ community member or ally.
We have answered questions about:
This data holds the promise of better protecting and serving LGBTQ+ folx during a time of crisis and beyond.
The American Evaluation Association is hosting LGBTQ+ Voices in Evaluation TIG Week with our colleagues in the LGBTQ+ Voices in Evaluation Topical Interest Group. The contributions all this week to AEA365 come from our LGBTQ+ Voices in Evaluation TIG members. Do you have questions, concerns, kudos, or content to extend this AEA365 contribution? Please add them in the comments section for this post on the AEA365 webpage so that we may enrich our community of practice. Would you like to submit an AEA365 Tip? Please send a note of interest to AEA365@eval.org. AEA365 is sponsored by the American Evaluation Association and provides a Tip-a-Day by and for evaluators. The views and opinions expressed on the AEA365 blog are solely those of the original authors and other contributors. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of the American Evaluation Association, and/or any/all contributors to this site.