Drawing on LGB Identity to Encourage Participation and Disclosure of Sexual Orientation in Surveys

Authors

Mathew Stange, Mathematica Policy Research, Ann Arbor, MIFollow
Jolene D. Smyth, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Kristen M. Olson, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow

ORCID IDs

Mathew Stange http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3193-0238

Date of this Version

2019

Citation

Published in The Sociological Quarterly 60:1 (2019), pp 168-188.

DOI: 10.1080/00380253.2018.1526055

Comments

Copyright © 2019 Midwest Sociological Society; published by Routledge/Taylor&Francis Group. Used by permission.

Abstract

This paper reports an experiment that tested how three survey cover designs—images of traditional families and individuals displaying themselves in typical gender ways; images of lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) and heterosexual individuals and families; and no cover images—affected LGB people’s participation and disclosure of LGB identity and non-LGB people’s participation. Analyses showed the LGB-inclusive cover led to significantly more LGB respondents than the other designs, without significantly affecting the demographic, political, and religious makeup of the completed sample. We discuss what these findings mean for addressing two challenges: getting LGB people to respond to surveys and to disclose their LGB identity.