Official Statistics Research Series, Vol 2010-2 ISSN 1177-5017; ISBN 978-0-478-35360-0 Appendix 1: SODCS Report 1: Sexual Orientation Conceptual Framework Sexual Orientation Data Collection Study Report 1: Sexual Orientation Conceptual Framework Frank Pega July 2009 Sexual Orientation Data Collection Study Report 1: Sexual Orientation Conceptual Framework Table of Contents Executive summary ................................................................................................ 4 1 Introduction ........................................................................................................ 10 1.1 Sexual Orientation Data Collection Study (SODCS) ...................................... 11 1.2 Sexual Orientation Conceptual Framework .................................................... 12 2 Sexual orientation data collection in official statistics .................................... 13 2.1 New Zealand’s Official Statistics System ....................................................... 13 2.2 Statistics and surveys .................................................................................... 14 2.3 Sexual orientation as a potential official social statistic .................................. 14 2.4 OSS social statistics requirements. ................................................................ 15 2.5 Sexual orientation concepts and information needs ....................................... 16 2.5.1 Enumeration ............................................................................................ 16 2.5.2 Discrimination .......................................................................................... 16 2.5.3 Social well-being and health. ................................................................... 17 2.5.4 Summary ................................................................................................. 17 2.6 Official sexual orientation data collection ....................................................... 17 2.6.1 Sexual orientation data collection in New Zealand ................................... 18 2.6.2 Sexual orientation data collection in other countries ................................ 18 3 Methodology ....................................................................................................... 19 3.1 Objectives ...................................................................................................... 19 3.2 Research methodology .................................................................................. 19 3.2.1 Literature review and analysis ................................................................. 19 3.2.2 Focus groups and key-informant interviews ............................................. 20 3.2.3 Expert advice .......................................................................................... 21 4 Culture and gender-related frames of sexual orientation ............................... 22 4.1 Culture frames of sexual orientation ............................................................... 22 ....................................................................................................... 22 4.1.2 New Zealand European ........................................................................... 24 4.1.3 Pacific ..................................................................................................... 24 4.1.4 Asian and new migrant ............................................................................ 27 4.2 Gender-related frames of sexual orientation .................................................. 28 4.2.1 Gender and gender roles. ........................................................................ 28 4.2.2 Active and passive sex roles ................................................................... 29 4.2.3 Gender identity ........................................................................................ 30 5 Conceptual dimensions of sexual orientation ................................................. 32 5.1 Key measurement concepts of sexual orientation .......................................... 32 5.1.1 Sexual orientation as a multi-dimensional concept .................................. 33 5.1.2 Sexual attraction.. .................................................................................... 33 5.1.3 Sexual behaviour..................................................................................... 34 5.1.4 Sexual identity. ........................................................................................ 36 5.1.5 Other concepts ........................................................................................ 38 5.2 Sexual orientation as a continuum ................................................................. 41 5.2.1 Limitations of dichotomous classifications ............................................... 41 5.2.2 The intermediary positions- bisexuality .................................................... 41 5.2.3 Asexuality ................................................................................................ 43 5.3 The fluidity of sexual orientation ..................................................................... 43 5.3.1 Uncertainty and exploration of sexual orientation .................................... 44 5.3.2 Unlabeled and unspecified sexual orientations ........................................ 45 5.3.3 Political perspectives and sexual identity ................................................. 45 Official Statistics Research Series, 2010-2 www.statisphere.govt.nz 2 Sexual Orientation Data Collection Study Report 1: Sexual Orientation Conceptual Framework 5.3.4 Emergence of new sexual orientation categories..................................... 46 5.3.5 Fluidity of sexual orientation over time and social context ....................... 46 6 Sexual orientation as a statistical topic and key measurement concepts ..... 48 6.1 Psychological and behavioural definitional components ................................. 48 6.2 Defining sexual orientation for measurement ................................................. 48 6.2.1 Essentialist versus social constructivist perspectives .............................. 48 6.2.2 Standardised definitions versus definitions for specific information needs 49 6.3 Working definitions for the sexual orientation topic and the associated measurement concepts ....................................................................................... 51 6.3.1 Sexual orientation (statistical topic). ........................................................ 51 6.3.2 Sexual attraction, sexual behaviour, sexual identity (measurement concepts) ........................................................................................................ 51 7 Summary and recommendations ...................................................................... 52 Glossary ................................................................................................................ 55 References ............................................................................................................ 57 Official Statistics Research Series, 2010-2 www.statisphere.govt.nz 3 Sexual Orientation Data Collection Study Report 1: Sexual Orientation Conceptual Framework Executive summary Introduction There is currently little New Zealand population data available on sexual orientation, limiting the ability of policy-makers to quantify the issues affecting populations defined by sexual orientation and to develop measures to adequately address the health and social needs of these groups. Government agencies, service providers, and communities need to be able to access timely, accurate, and high-quality sexual orientation data in order to develop appropriate policies and strategies to address issues relating to sexual orientation. However, until such data are available it is difficult to accurately quantify, prioritise, and address issues associated with sexual orientation. Members of sexual minority populations (ie, people with minority sexual attractions, sexual behaviours, and/or minority sexual identities) are disadvantaged across a range of social wellbeing, health, and economic indicators.9 For example, there is robust national and international evidence that sexual minority groups experience higher rates of suicide, physical and verbal assault, bullying victimisation, depression, alcohol use, smoking, other drug dependence, and more workplace discrimination and impediments to career progression in comparison with the heterosexual population. New Zealand legislation guarantees non-discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation through the Human Rights Act of 1993, and the Civil Union Act of 2004 which allows civil union registrations for both opposite-sex and same-sex couples. Furthermore, the Yogyakarta Principles on the Application of International Human Rights Law in Relation to Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity of 2007 affirm the binding international legal standards with which all member states of the United Nations must comply in respect to the provision of human rights for populations defined by sexual orientation. In addition, sexual orientation has also become a relevant topic for public policy in New Zealand and internationally, with legislative provisions having been anchored in government policy. The monitoring of outcomes relating to the provisions made in national and international legislation, and public policy, requires access to timely, accurate, and high-quality sexual orientation data. There is