The Washington State LGBTQ Commission is sponsoring a comprehensive, statewide survey of LGBTQIA+ and Two-Spirit people to identify disparities and to strengthen advocacy efforts when it comes to pertinent laws, policies, and legislation.

The commission, which will close the anonymous survey on January 31, 2025, hopes to receive 10,000 responses by then. It is available at http://www.walgbtqsurvey.com.

"The statewide LGBTQ+ survey aims to provide a comprehensive snapshot of the LGBTQ+ community in Washington by collecting data on key areas such as demographics, access to health and public services, economic development, school and workplace safety, and mental health access," Rachael Brister of RCB Communications told the SGN. "This data will directly inform policies by highlighting specific needs and disparities experienced by LGBTQ+ individuals across the state."

Such information has been in short supply since sexual orientation and gender identity data were removed from the 2020 national census. Identifying areas where Queer people face the greatest barriers to healthcare, mental health services, housing, and public services will allow Washington to allocate resources more effectively and equitably, Brister said.

"Washington state lawmakers will likely be called upon to do even more to protect and serve our community. This survey data will paint a picture of this community in a way that legislators have yet to see," she added.

Brister mentioned that another goal is to conduct additional surveys in the future that examine and highlight the needs and experiences of the LGBTQIA+ and Two-Spirit community. The upcoming Trump administration, however, creates uncertainty regarding Queer-related legislation, due to demonstrated hostility toward these groups.

Data analysis

The survey is led by WSU's Murrow College of Communication, data2insight (a Queer and Trans research team), and Prevention at the Intersections. It's open to those aged 11 years and older, although adolescents aged 11-17 require permission from a parent or guardian to participate. To increase respondents in the 16-25 age group, Brister said there has been outreach to colleges, universities, and LGBTQ+ youth centers, and even survey administration events, such as one at the Spokane Public Library.

With about 4,300 respondents having already taken the survey as of December 1, Brister said responses are particularly needed from the Latinx and Asian Queer communities.

"The closing date allows four months for data analysis, visualization, and report writing before sharing the findings in June 2025," said Brister. "Washington State University is leading this study and managing the anonymous dataset and has already begun analyzing the existing data."

The final dataset will undergo analysis with the assistance from the largest university-based survey research center in the Pacific Northwest: WSU's Social & Economic Sciences Research Center.

"The research team will [identify] patterns in the data. The report of findings will share interpretations and conclusions based on data analysis, [tied] to findings to previous research," Brister added.

The demographics of the sample will be summarized and compared to representation in the state's population across multiple categories, such as location, age, gender, race, and ethnicity. Testing for differences between people in marginalized groups against the overall sample will be included in the analysis.

"The survey findings will shed light on a broad set of topics for the Two-Spirit and LGBTQIA+ community. They will include a summary of the laws that community members have found helpful, mental health in the community, most valued aspects of living in Washington, and what type of resources people have to support them," Brister said.


Visit http://www.walgbtqsurvey.com to take the survey.