LGBTQ data is disappearing under Trump, reports find

"On the first day of his second term, Trump signed an executive order making it the government's policy to recognize only two sexes - something experts say is inaccurate and leaves out transgender, nonbinary and intersex Americans - and setting out a slew of associated policy changes. Among them were directions for government agencies to offer only "male" and "female" options on government forms requiring information about sex."

"Since then, agencies have deleted gender identity and sexual orientation data elements from over 360 data collections, the reports found. Researchers say this is likely a conservative estimate that will grow. The majority of the changes removed gender identity demographics, although in at least 60 cases, government agencies went beyond Trump's orders to eliminate sexual orientation data elements."

"LGBTQ youth are overrepresented among the homeless population. Up to 40% of homeless young people are in the LGBTQ community, according to the National Coalition for the Homeless, meaning that the removal of associated data could make it more difficult to understand if government programs are working to help an especially vulnerable population."

The Trump administration removed questions about sexual orientation and gender identity from hundreds of government surveys, forms, and research projects over the past year. On his first day in office, Trump signed an executive order establishing that the government recognizes only two sexes and directed agencies to offer only male and female options on forms. Over 360 data collections have had gender identity and sexual orientation elements deleted, with the majority targeting gender identity. Some agencies exceeded the executive order by also removing sexual orientation data. The Department of Health and Human Services eliminated both elements from its homeless youth management system. This removal is particularly concerning because LGBTQ youth represent up to 40% of the homeless population, making it harder to assess whether government programs effectively serve this vulnerable group.

Read at Nextgov.com