DOI: 10.5061/dryad.rfj6q57gr
title: LGBTQIA+ experiences in conservation survey data

description: We anonymously surveyed members and non-members of the LGBTQIA+ community
 of conservation students and professionals in North America to explore
 participants’ lived experiences in conservation regarding safety,
 belonging, and inclusion. Our 737 responses included 10% that identified
 as genderqueer, gender nonconforming, questioning, nonspecific,
 genderfluid, transgender woman, agender, transgender man, two spirit
 Indigenous, or intersex (hereafter gender expansive), and 29% bisexual,
 queer, lesbian, gay, asexual, pansexual, omnisexual, questioning, or
 non-heterosexual (hereafter queer+). Data also include results of a
 non-response survey of 157 individuals who chose not to complete our the
 full survey, but answered basic demographic questions to determine
 non-response bias.
description: Responses were solicited from an email list that included natural
 resource, conservation, ecology, wildlife, and fisheries departments from
 public and private universities; 4-year colleges; 2-year colleges;
 professional schools; technical, vocational, or trade schools;
 Hispanic-serving institutions; historically Black colleges and
 universities; tribal colleges, and women’s colleges. To include
 perspectives from non-academic settings and to target LGBTIQA+
 individuals, we included listserv members of the “Out in the
 Field'' LGBTQIA+ and ally working group of the Wildlife Society
 as part of our survey population. We distributed a Qualtrics suvey and
 consent letter to ask respondents about their feelings and experiences of
 safety, belonging, and inclusion working in the field of
 conservation.
description: Data were analyzed in R version 4.2.2. 
description: # LGBTQIA+ experiences in conservation survey data
 [https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.rfj6q57gr](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.rfj6q57gr) Survey data from 737 conservation students and professionals describing their lived experience and feelings on inclusion, safety, and belonging while working in the field of conservation. Data were used to describe lessened feelings of inclusion, safety, and belonging among LGBTQIA+ conservation professionals compared to non-LGBTQIA+ professionals. We also include a file of 157 individuals who did not respond to the main survey, but responded to a short survey of demographic questions to quantify non-response bias. Location data and extended text response data have been removed to protect survey respondents' anonymity. ## Description of the data and file structure Data are an anonymous output from a Qualtrics survey. Location information has been removed for further anonymity. Includes basic demographic information and quantitative ratings of feelings of safety, belonging, and inclusion. NULL indicates a non-response by the survey respondent, and NA indicates a selected response of "non-applicable" by the survey respondent. ### lgbtqia\_survresults\_anon\_clean *Survey responses from complete Qualtrics survey on LGBTQIA+ experiences in conservation* * *Recorded_Date*: Date survey respondent submitted survey response. * *ResponseID*: Unique identifier for survey respondent * *Work_Sector*: Area of conservation field in which respondent works (e.g., academia, federal agency, private sector). Multiple answers are denoted by commas. * *Work_Sector_Text*: If respondent chose "Other" for "Work_Sector", text response of conservation field in which respondent works. * *Academic_position*: If respondent selected "Academia/College/University" for "Work_Sector", the type of academic position held (e.g. faculty, post doctoral researcher, graduate student) * *Acadenic_position_Text*: If selected "Other" for "Academic_position", text description of academic position held * *SexOrientation*: Survey respondent's sexual orientation(s). Multiple answers are denoted by commas. * *SexOrientation_Text*: If "Prefer to self-identify" was selected for "SexOrientation", text response of sexual orientation. * *SexOrientation_Out_who*: Selections of who the respondent would be comfortable coming out to with regard to their sexual orientation. We define "out" as others knowing about a specific identity held. Multiple answers are denoted by commas. * *SexOrientation_Out_who_Text*: If respondent selected "Other" for "SexOrientation_Out_who", text response of other people or groups of people the respondent is out to. * *GenderID*: Survey respondent's gender identity(ies). Multiple answers are denoted by commas. * *GenderID_Text*: If "Prefer to self-identify" was selected for "GenderID", text response of respondent's gender identity. * *GenderID_Outwho*: Selections of who the respondent would be comfortable coming out to with regard to their gender identity. We define "out" as others knowing about a specific identity held. Multiple answers are denoted by commas. * *GenderID_Outwho_Text*: If respondent selected "Other" for "GenderID_Outwho", text response of other people or groups of people the respondent is out to. *For questions regarding safety, we defined "safe" as feeling comfortable expressing and participating as their full self without fear of judgment, attack, ridicule, or denial of lived experiences.* * *SexOrientation_safe_person*: The percent of time survey respondent felt safe in their personal life outside of work regarding their sexual orientation on a scale of 0 to 100. NA was available if a the question didn't apply. * *SexOrientation_safe_conferences*: The percent of time survey respondent felt safe at professional conferences regarding their sexual orientation on a scale of 0 to 100. NA was available if a the question didn't apply. * *SexOrientation_safe_Publicnonwork*: The percent of time survey respondent felt safe in public places outside work regarding their sexual orientation on a scale of 0 to 100. NA was available if a the question didn't apply. * *SexOrientation_safe_fieldwork*: The percent of time survey respondent felt safe in public places for work (e.g. fieldwork) regarding their sexual orientation a scale of 0 to 100. NA was available if a the question didn't apply. * *SexOrientation_safe_Workplaceinperson*: The percent of time survey respondent felt safe in their in-person workplace regarding their sexual orientation on a scale of 0 to 100. NA was available if a the question didn't apply. * *SexOrientation_safe_Workplaceremote*: The percent of time survey respondent felt safe in their remote workplace regarding their sexual orientation on a scale of 0 to 100. NA was available if a the question didn't apply. *For questions regarding belonging, we defined "belonging" as feeling a sense of acceptance, inclusion, security, and connection which allows them to embrace and express their full authentic self.* * *SexOrientation_belong_person*: The percent of time survey respondent felt a sense of belonging in their personal life outside of work regarding their sexual orientation on a scale of 0 to 100. NA was available if a the question didn't apply. * *SexOrientation_belong_conferences*: The percent of time survey respondent felt a sense of belonging at professional conferences regarding their sexual orientation on a scale of 0 to 100. NA was available if a the question didn't apply. * *SexOrientation_belong_Publicnonwork*: The percent of time survey respondent felt a sense of belonging in public places outside work regarding their sexual orientation on a scale of 0 to 100. NA was available if a the question didn't apply. * *SexOrientation_belong_fieldwork*: The percent of time survey respondent felt a sense of belonging in public places for work (e.g. fieldwork) regarding their sexual orientation a scale of 0 to 100. NA was available if a the question didn't apply. * *SexOrientation_belong_Workplaceinperson*: The percent of time survey respondent felt a sense of belonging in their in-person workplace regarding their sexual orientation on a scale of 0 to 100. NA was available if a the question didn't apply. * *SexOrientation_belong_Workplaceremote*: The percent of time survey respondent felt a sense of belonging in their remote workplace regarding their sexual orientation on a scale of 0 to 100. NA was available if a the question didn't apply. * *GenderID_safe_person*: The percent of time survey respondent felt safe in their personal life outside of work regarding their gender identity on a scale of 0 to 100. NA was available if a the question didn't apply. * *GenderID_safe_conferences*: The percent of time survey respondent felt safe at professional conferences regarding their gender identity on a scale of 0 to 100. NA was available if a the question didn't apply. * *GenderID_safe_Publicnonwork*: The percent of time survey respondent felt safe in public places outside work regarding their gender identity on a scale of 0 to 100. NA was available if a the question didn't apply. * *GenderID_safe_fieldwork*: The percent of time survey respondent felt safe in public places for work (e.g. fieldwork) regarding their gender identity a scale of 0 to 100. NA was available if a the question didn't apply. * *GenderID_safe_Workplaceinperson*: The percent of time survey respondent felt safe in their in-person workplace regarding their gender identity on a scale of 0 to 100. NA was available if a the question didn't apply. * *GenderID_safe_Workplaceremote*: The percent of time survey respondent felt safe in their remote workplace regarding their gender identity on a scale of 0 to 100. NA was available if a the question didn't apply. * *GenderID_belong_person*: The percent of time survey respondent felt a sense of belonging in their personal life outside of work regarding their gender identity on a scale of 0 to 100. NA was available if a the question didn't apply. * *GenderID_belong_conferences*: The percent of time survey respondent felt a sense of belonging at professional conferences regarding their gender identity on a scale of 0 to 100. NA was available if a the question didn't apply. * *GenderID_belong_Publicnonwork*: The percent of time survey respondent felt a sense of belonging in public places outside work regarding their gender identity on a scale of 0 to 100. NA was available if a the question didn't apply. * *GenderID_belong_fieldwork*: The percent of time survey respondent felt a sense of belonging in public places for work (e.g. fieldwork) regarding their gender identity a scale of 0 to 100. NA was available if a the question didn't apply. * *GenderID_belong_Workplaceinperson*: The percent of time survey respondent felt a sense of belonging in their in-person workplace regarding their gender identity on a scale of 0 to 100. NA was available if a the question didn't apply. * *GenderID_belong_Workplaceremote*: The percent of time survey respondent felt a sense of belonging in their remote workplace regarding their gender identity on a scale of 0 to 100. NA was available if a the question didn't apply. * *Support_resources*: List of resources, people, and/or groups that benefit the survey respondent's wellbeing at work or school. Multiple answers are denoted by commas. * *Support_cultural*: List of cultural practices benefit the survey respondent's wellbeing at work or school (e.g. anonymous feedback systems, community norms, trainings). Multiple answers are denoted by commas. * *Conservation_inclusive*: Likert scale response to the question "Is the field of conservation inclusive for LGBTQIA+ identities?", ranging from strongly disagree to strongly agree. * *Race_ethnicicty*: Survey respondent's self-identified race and/or ethnicity. Multiple answers are denoted by commas. * *Race_ethnicicty_Text*: If respondent chose "Prefer to self-describe" for "Race_ethnicity", text response of self-identified race and/or ethnicity. * *Disabilities*: Survey respondent indicating whether they have a physical or mental disability . Multiple answers are denoted by commas. * *Age*: Survey respodnent's age in years at the time of filling out the survey. ### nonresponse\_data\_anon\_clean *Survey responses from a subset of population that did not complete survey on LGBTQIA+ experiences in conservation* * *Recorded_Date*: Date survey respondent submitted survey response. * *ResponseID*: Unique identifier for survey respondent * *Work_Sector*: Area of conservation field in which respondent works (e.g., academia, federal agency, private sector). Multiple answers are denoted by commas. * *Work_Sector_Text*: If respondent chose "Other" for "Work_Sector", text response of conservation field in which respondent works. * *SexOrientation*: Survey respondent's sexual orientation(s). Multiple answers are denoted by commas. * *SexOrientation_Text*: If "Prefer to self-identify" was selected for "SexOrientation", text response of sexual orientation. * *GenderID*: Survey respondent's gender identity(ies). Multple answers are denoted by commas. * *GenderID_Text*: If "Prefer to self-identify" was selected for "GenderID", text response of respondent's gender identity. * *Race_ethnicicty*: Survey respodnent's self-identified race and/or ethnicity. Multiple answers are denoted by commas. * *Race_ethnicicty_Text*: If respondent chose "Prefer to self-describe" for "Race_ethnicity", text response of self-identified race and/or ethnicicty. * *Disabilities*: Survey respondent indicating whether they have a physical or mental disability . Multiple answers are denoted by commas. * *Age*: Survey respondent's age in years at the time of filling out the survey. ## Sharing/Access information These data were analyzed as part of the following manuscript in review: Collins, A., Feuka, A., Nelson, J., Verahrami, A., and Bombaci, S. Opportunities to improve safety and belonging for the North American LGBTQIA+ conservation community. *In review.* ## Code/Software These data were analyzed in R version 4.2.2. ### lgbqtia\_analysis.R Statistical analysis of survey results, including generalized linear models of feelings of safety, belonging, and inclusion, effect sizes, and conducting Wilcoxon Sign Rank tests. Creates plots and tables of model results. Conducts goodness of fit tests for all models fit. ### lgbtqia\_summaries.R Calculates summary statistics, demographic summaries, and creates manuscript plots.