FOI Ref: FOI/2023/4946
You asked
I see that the breakdown of the LGBT 2021 census has been released, but unfortunately can't find any information on those who put their sexual orientation as 'super straight'. Can you please provide the statistics for this please. Just to be clear, I am not asking for the breakdown of those who identify as straight (heterosexual), but those who specifically put their sexual orientation as 'super straight'.
Can you also confirm whether those who identified as super straight were grouped as heterosexual or 'Other' in the following link on the ONS website, in section 2 Sexual Orientation.
If possible, can you also provide a breakdown of those who put their sexual orientation as 'super lesbian' and confirm which group they were put into in the link provided above.
We said
Thank you for your request regarding those who reported their sexual orientation as 'super straight' and 'super lesbian' in the Census 2021.
All write-in responses for the sexual orientation question were coded into either one of the following categories from the tick boxes on the questionnaire:
- Straight or heterosexual
- Gay or lesbian
- Bisexual
or one of the additional output categories:
- Pansexual
- Asexual
- Queer
- All other sexual orientations
A response of 'Super straight' would have been aggregated into the 'straight or heterosexual' category. A response of 'Super lesbian' would have been aggregated into the 'gay or lesbian' category.
We are considering how best to make available more detailed information, including counts, on write-in responses to the sexual orientation question. This work is ongoing and we require time to research and develop a formal publication with the appropriate accompanying context and commentary to maximise public understanding of the data, ensure the data are formatted and presented appropriately, and to apply any necessary disclosure controls.
This process is required to ensure that we produce information that is high quality, valuable, trustworthy, and transparent, which in turn ensures that we continue to serve the public good. If we were to release the data prior to the completion of this process, we run the risk that it would obfuscate rather than enhance public understanding. Therefore, the release of the requested data at this time would prejudice the purpose of this project and could undermine our reputation as a producer of reliable official statistics that serve the public.
As a result, Section 22A (b)(i) and (b)(iii) is engaged, whereby the data requested was obtained in the course of conducting an ongoing programme of research, which we have a view to publish, and release prior to our planned schedule would prejudice the research programme itself and the organisation conducting the research.
This exemption is subject to a public interest test. We recognise the desirability of information being freely available and this is considered by ONS when publication schedules are set in accordance with the Code of Practice for Statistics. The need for timely data must be balanced against the practicalities of applying statistical skill and judgement to produce the high quality, assured data needed to inform decision-making. If this balance is incorrectly applied, then we run the risk of decisions being based on inaccurate data, which is not in the public interest. This will have an impact on public trust in official statistics in a time when the accuracy of official statistics is more important to the public than ever before. This is particularly important for this instance, as wider research into this topic is still in the early stages.