The Push For Us To Be Counted

Local News, By Christian Taylor, 13th March, 2008

Despite pressure from ACON, NSW’s gay health and wellbeing organisation, there will be no gay question on the 2011 census. According to the Sydney Star Observer, the same questions will be asked as in 2006, due to budget constraints at the Australian Bureau Of Statistics.

In a recent letter to the ABS, ACON President Mark Orr highlighted the importance of collating data on the gay and lesbian population of Australia.

“Unlike other minority groups in this country, there are very few alternative sources through which data on the gay and lesbian community can be collected. Where they do exist, the sample is usually limited both in size and in geographical dispersion,” the letter said.

Orr also highlighted the prejudice inherent in the current state of census questions – basically the census asks about same-sex couples living in the same household, but if you don’t conform to this model, you basically don’t exist.

“This presents a vastly inaccurate picture… Access to comprehensive and accurate information is particularly important in relation to the development and delivery of policies and programs that can improve health and wellbeing.”

According to ACON our community’s needs are not being addressed. “Same-sex attracted people in this country are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety, attempt suicide or self-harm, misuse alcohol and other drugs, and be subject to violence, harassment and discrimination than the general population. Having access to data on sexual identity would be invaluable in terms of government and non-government health program and policy development, resource allocation, planning and evaluation.”

The ABS said that they’d take such comments into account after the 2011 census. Looks like we’ll just have to keep on waiting.