Research, Questions About Gender Identity

Survey research is important in advancing our knowledge about the size, characteristics, experiences, and needs of the gender minority population, such as transgender (trans) people. One of the main methods for learning about the U.S. population is by nationally representative federal surveys, like the decennial census. Such surveys provide demographic, health, economic, and other key indicators for the United States, which are valuable in assessing public policy and resource needs of the population. Yet, few federal surveys ask questions to identify gender minority respondents.

Surveys typically ask a binary sex question to assess whether the respondent is male or female. This approach does not allow gender minorities to be identified as such. Federal surveys that do collect data about gender minorities do so using different approaches ...