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Sexual Orienta�on, Gender Iden�ty, and Sex Characteris�cs (SOGISC) Subcommitee

A Standing Subcommitee of the Federal Commitee on Sta�s�cal Methodology

Charter (Final Dra�, 1/24/2024)

1. Objec�ve 

The purpose of this Subcommitee, a standing subcommitee of the Federal Commitee on 

Sta�s�cal Methodology (FCSM), is to promote coordina�on between federal agencies on issues 

rela�ng to measuring sexual orienta�on and gender iden�ty in federal data collec�ons. 

2. Background 

Federal sta�s�cs on sexual orienta�on, gender iden�ty, and sex characteris�cs (SOGISC) are 

used to inform policy affec�ng the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/ques�oning, 

intersex, asexual, and addi�onal non-straight, non-cisgender iden�ty (LGBTQIA+) popula�ons in 

the United States. Accordingly, there is interest in improving the measurement of SOGISC.

Although some Federal surveys have collected informa�on describing LGBTQIA+ popula�ons for 

well over a decade, some aspects of SOGISC have been more rou�nely measured, collected, and 

extensively studied than others. SOGISC measures are one specific instance in which Federal 

sta�s�cal programs strive to produce relevant, accurate, and objec�ve sta�s�cs while protec�ng 

par�cipant confiden�ality.

The collec�on of accurate SOGISC survey data, however, does present several measurement and 

methodological challenges. The compara�vely small, but growing, popula�on of LGBTQIA+ 

persons in the United States suggests that rela�vely small sampling or repor�ng errors can lead 

to significant errors in descrip�on and es�ma�on, requiring an emphasis on precision and 

accuracy in the measurement of SOGISC. Furthermore, the constructs of gender iden�ty and 

sexual orienta�on are becoming more fluid in the United States and some of the terms used by 

individuals to describe themselves are changing at a rapid rate. Finally, gender and sexuality can 

be sensi�ve and poli�cized topics. The privacy and confiden�ality of respondents and 

respondent data must be handled with care.
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3. Scope and Approach

The Subcommitee shall meet on a bi-monthly basis. Individual mee�ngs may be canceled at the 

discre�on of the Subcommitee’s Co-Chairs, but the Subcommitee shall have a minimum of 

four mee�ngs per calendar year.

At these mee�ngs, Subcommitee members shall provide regular updates on:

• any an�cipated changes to their agencies’ collec�on or dissemina�on of SOGISC data;

• research rela�ng to SOGISC measurement; and

• emerging problems and challenges rela�ng to SOGISC measurement.

The Subcommitee shall be responsible for advising the FCSM and the Interagency Council on 

Sta�s�cal Policy (ICSP) on SOGISC measurement issues.

The Subcommitee shall provide technical assistance as needed across Federal agencies on 

SOGISC measurement issues.

The Subcommitee shall also coordinate and manage mee�ngs of the FCSM Sexual Orienta�on,

Gender Iden�ty, and Sex Characteris�cs (SOGISC) Interest Group.

5. Proposed Deliverables and Dates

The Co-Chairs shall provide FCSM with regular updates on issues of relevance for the 

Subcommitee, and shall submit an annual report summarizing the Subcommitee’s ac�vi�es 

and delibera�ons as well as the status of SOGISC measurement in federal surveys.

5. Sponsor 

The Federal Commitee on Sta�s�cal Methodology (FCSM).

6. Communica�on 

1. The Subcommitee Co-Chairs will provide regular, informal status reports to the sponsor. 

2. The Subcommitee will use MAX or other means (e.g., collabora�on site through FCSM). 

3. As needed, the Subcommitee will plan presenta�ons to other FCSM or federal groups. 

7. Membership

The Subcommitee shall be directed by two Co-Chairs. The Co-Chairs shall be selected by the 

FCSM co-chairs. One Co-Chair will be a current member of the FCSM. The Co-Chairs’ terms shall 

be at the discre�on of the FCSM co-chairs.
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Subcommitee members will be appointed by the Co-Chairs, in consulta�on with the FCSM cochairs. Members must be federal civil servants and have demonstrated technical or other 

exper�se in SOGISC measurement. There is no predefined size for the group, but the number of 

members will be kept to a manageable number. Mul�ple members are permited from a single 

agency. 

Members do not have set terms, they serve at the discre�on of the Subcommitee and FCSM 

Co-Chairs. 

Members represent themselves. 

FCSM CHAIR SIGNATURES

NAME SIGNATURE DATE

Bob Sivinski

Mark Prell