Unveiling the data gap: Understanding the socioeconomic wellbeing of LGBTQ+ Americans

Data on LGBTQ+ individuals is essential to understand their socioeconomic wellbeing and to make effective policy decisions. However, many major federal surveys fail to capture information related to one’s sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI). This leaves a critical gap in research that will continue to grow, especially as younger individuals are more likely to identify as LGBTQ+ over time.

On Monday, June 26, the Brookings Center for Economic Security and Opportunity (formerly the Center on Children and Families) hosted a virtual event to discuss the implications of this data gap, how to appropriately ask SOGI questions on federal surveys, and what research and policy needs to be done to sustain and improve the lives of LGBTQ+ Americans. The event consisted of introductory remarks and a brief presentation on the Brookings research surrounding this subject, followed by a lively expert panel discussion. The panel will include Christopher Carpenter (Vanderbilt University), Bianca D.M. Wilson (Williams Institute), and Meghan Maury (U.S. Department of Commerce), and will be moderated by Hansi Lo Wang (NPR).

Viewers submitted questions to [email protected] or via Twitter using the hashtag #LGBTQdatagap.