There are multiple dimensions of sexual orientation (including sexual identity, sexual attraction and sexual behaviour). Advance HE’s recommended question asks about sexual identity (how someone identifies their sexual orientation), which is most relevant for studies of inequality in the higher education sector but might not count staff and students who do not identify with the identity terms listed in the question.
Recommended question:
How would you describe your sexual orientation? (Select all that apply)
- Asexual
- Bisexual
- Gay or lesbian
- Heterosexual/straight
- Queer
- In another way (specify, if you wish):
- Prefer not to say.
Advance HE’s recommended question stem matches the wording for the sexual orientation question in all UK censuses. However, in addition to the response options provided in the census, Advance HE recommends including the response options ‘Asexual’ and ‘Queer’.
Familiarity and acceptability of the term ‘Queer’ has increased within higher and further education through established disciplinary fields such as queer theory, queer studies and queer history. Although this term has now been reclaimed by many LGB+ individuals, particularly young people, who don’t identify with traditional categories around sexual orientation, it is still viewed as derogatory by some.
When returning data to HESA, it is currently necessary to disaggregate the response option ‘Gay or lesbian’ and provide the following response options:
- Asexual
- Bisexual
- Gay man
- Gay woman/lesbian
- Heterosexual/straight
- Queer
- Other (specify, if you wish):
- Prefer not to say.
Advance HE recommends one response option for ‘Gay or lesbian’ rather than ‘Gay man’ and ‘Gay woman/lesbian’ as the latter question format asks about both the sexual orientation and sex of the respondent.