‘Historic step’ as census data on LGBT+ populations published for first time

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. ONS director Jen Woolford said the first census estimates were “crucial”, adding: “They will ensure decision-makers have the best information so they can better understand the extent and nature of disadvantage which people may be experiencing in terms of educational outcomes, health, employment and housing.” London was the region within England with the highest percentage of people who said their gender identity was different from their sex registered at birth –. Today is a historic step forward after decades of Stonewall campaigning to record sexual orientation and gender identity in the census, finally painting an accurate picture of the diverse ‘Rainbow Britain’ that we now live in, where more and more of us are proud to be who we are Stonewall chief executive Nancy Kelley It was also the region with the highest proportion of people who identified with an LGB+ orientation while the local authority with the highest such percentage was Brighton and Hove. “Today is a historic step forward after decades of Stonewall campaigning to record sexual orientation and gender identity in the census, finally painting an accurate picture of the diverse ‘Rainbow Britain’ that we now live in, where more and more of us are proud to be who we are.” The LGBT Foundation said it “cautiously welcomes” the data, saying it is a “huge first step in making LGBTQ+ people feel included” but “remains incomplete”. “As such it will be years before we get an accurate picture, informed by figures from, and comparison with, future surveys.” The ONS has published previous LGB population estimates but Friday marks the first time census data has included information on people’s sexual orientation.