A new report from the Williams Institute says that hundreds of federal surveys have removed questions related to sexual orientation and gender identity. The researchers attribute the changes to executive orders issued by President Trump. The report states that many deletions were made through non-substantive change requests, meaning they lacked valid justification or supporting evidence. Only a small number followed the formal notice-and-comment process.
Researchers found most removals targeted gender identity questions, citing compliance with Executive Order 14,168, signed January 20, 2025. The order says it defends women from gender ideology and seeks to restore biological truth in federal policy. The Williams Institute warns the impact could be significant for public policy and research. According to the lead author, Lauren Bouton, “Federal data on sexual orientation and gender identity are essential for understanding LGBTQ populations in the United States…These data allow us to identify disparities in health, economics, and exposure to violence…”
Co-author Elana Redfield added, “Reliable data collection is fundamental to how the federal government identifies and responds to community needs.” The removals follow broader actions affecting LGBTQ visibility. This happened following the removal of the Pride flag at the Stonewall Inn National Monument earlier this month.
