Census Bureau Survey Questions Now Include SOGI Among Others

The newest phase (3.2) of the U.S. Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey (HPS) will now ask respondents their sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) in addition to their sex.
HPS Phase 3.2 is the latest update to the experimental data collection effort to measure the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on American households.

The new version of the questionnaire, which entered the field on July 21, and is anticipated to continue through October 11, marks the first time a Census Bureau sponsored survey includes questions about sexual orientation and gender identity.

SOGI Questions

While earlier versions of the HPS asked respondents for their sex (male or female), Phase 3.2 rewords this question and adds two new items.

• What sex were you assigned at birth on your original birth certificate?
• Choice of answers: Male or Female.
• Do you currently describe yourself as male, female or transgender?
• Choice of answers: Male, Female, Transgender or None of these.

The latest version of the survey now asks about sexual orientation, too:

• Which of the following best represents how you think of yourself?
• Choice of answers: Gay or lesbian; Straight, that is not gay or lesbian; Bisexual; Something else; I don’t know.

Results are scheduled to be released August 11.

How do I know my information is safe? Can I be identified by my responses?

The U.S. Census Bureau is required by law to protect your information. The Census Bureau is not permitted to publicly release your responses in a way that could identify you. We are conducting this voluntary survey under the authority of Title 13, United States Code, Sections 8(b), 182 and 196 to study the economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic in the United States. Federal law protects your privacy and keeps your answers confidential (Title 13, United States Code, Section 9). Per the Federal Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2015, your data are protected from cybersecurity risks through screening of the systems that transmit your data.
Your privacy is protected by the Privacy Act (Title 5, U.S. Code, Section 552a). Routine uses of these data are limited to those identified in the Privacy Act System of Record Notice titled, “SORN COMMERCE/Census-3, Demographic Survey Collection (Census Bureau Sampling Frame).” The Census Bureau can use your responses only to produce statistics, and is not permitted to publicly release your responses in a way that could identify you.

Martin Ycaza-All Access Multimedia

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