The need for subnational population statistics by sexual identity is being increasingly recognised for a variety of service delivery, analysis, and policy purposes. However, such statistics are rarely produced by statistical offices or researchers. The aims of the paper are to describe a new method for calculating subnational estimates of the population aged 18 and over by sexual identity, and apply it to produce mid-2016 estimates for local areas in Australia. Various census, survey and Estimated Resident Population datasets are used. The results show that the geography of Australia’s sexual minority population is highly concentrated, with the highest proportions of the population identifying as a sexual minority in the inner areas of Australia’s largest cities. However, almost all parts of the county are home to at least a small sexual minority population, even in remote areas. While our estimates remain approximate due to data limitations, they provide a reasonable set of statistics on local area populations by sexual identity.

Comprehensive data on gender and sexual identity is critical for the planning and delivery of health, education, and social support services. This presentation discusses ways in which sexual and gender diverse populations are being counted in research and some of the issues that require consideration in representing these populations in future research. We reviewed nine examples of large national surveys conducted in Australia over the past ten years and qualitatively compared some aspects of the approaches used for collecting data on gender and sexual identity. A diversity of approaches and a range of limitations were identified in how these diverse populations are counted. Overall, there is currently a lack of a consistent approach for collecting data involving sexual and gender diverse populations in Australia despite the need for population surveys that reflect sexual and gender diversity. This work identifies conceptual and methodological questions for consideration when planning how to capture diversity related to gender and sexual identity.

Transgender communities are increasingly voicing the need to have themselves counted in population estimates and to have gender measured in a way that is inclusive of non-binary genders. Counting Ourselves is a national transgender health survey that was conducted in 2018. We worked with a community advisory group, researchers, health professionals, community organisations, and other interested organisations from across the country to develop a questionnaire about the health of transgender people and issues related to our health. We recruited participants through our networks of community organisations and health professionals, as well as a social media campaign. We had 1,170 responses to our anonymous survey, most of which were online. In this presentation, Dr Veale will report the diverse range of gender terms that people are using in our communities, the demographics of our sample, as well as findings about how transgender people respond to questions based on Statistics New Zealand’s 2015 standard for gender identity, which includes the term “gender diverse”. This presentation will also include images and quotes from our communities, highlighting the importance they place on being visible and counted in statistical surveys. Dr Veale will also summarise the latest Statistics New Zealand’s proposed updates to their sex and gender statistical standards.