The Government Equalities Office (GEO) published the LGBT Action Plan in 2018, & appointed a Panel to steer it. Such an important document should be based on good research. Is the LGBT survey, carried out in 2017, good research? NO!!! #LGBTgovPlan

The GEO LGBT Plan is based on a 2017 survey. The views of anyone who ‘identified’ as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or intersex were sought through national Pride events, social media and national media coverage. #LGBTgovPlan

So was any check carried out to ensure those responding to the LGBT survey were representative? Ages, location, income or anything else? No. The respondents were entirely self-selected. #LGBTgovPlan

Given recruitment through Pride and social media, it is likely that women (few go to Pride these days) and older people were under-represented in the responses to the government’s LGBT survey – yet it was the basis for the LGBT Plan. #LGBTgovPlan

For some reason, the government’s LGBT survey was open to intersex people, although the report says it was not intended to gather robust data on intersex-specific issues. The 2% of respondents identifying as intersex make interpretation of the data difficult. #LGBTgovPlan

Under the ‘trans umbrella’, the LGBT survey includes those identifying as asexual, pansexual & genderqueer, although these terms aren’t defined. It’s clear from elsewhere that ‘pansexual’ is used to describe non-monogamous heterosexuality – little to do with LGBT! #LGBTgovPlan

The lack of validity of the government’s LGBT survey information is compounded by the use of e.g. a YouGov survey for Stonewall, also involving entirely self-selected respondents – fewer than 900 of them! #LGBTgovPlan

The LGBT survey contains many inaccuracies and instances of confusion. For example a lesbian is quoted as speaking of the humiliation for lesbians of saying they were raped by another woman. In UK law, rape involves a penis. Not a woman, then. #LGBTgovPlan

The LGBT survey report makes much of the 2% who have experienced, and 5% who have been offered, ‘conversion therapy’ – without defining this term. Apparently 19% of healthcare professionals conduct it. What might be meant? #LGBTgovPlan

Counsellors, psychotherapists&psychologists always explore what clients say. If someone self-IDs as transgender, exploring the issues is now called ‘conversion therapy’. But this is totally unlike c.t.’s original meaning: forcefully trying to change someone’s sexual orientation.

The LGBT survey report refers to 26% reporting verbal harassment. As lesbian, gay & bisexual people are not distinguished from trans-identifying people, much of this ‘harassment’ may in fact be ‘misgendering’ of trans people. #LGBTgovPlan

The government’s LGBT survey report frequently lacks comparative data, making some assertions meaningless. Long waiting times affect everyone who self-harms, not only trans people, for example. #LGBTgovPlan

We are clearly intended to be appalled that “69% of young LGBT homeless people were rejected by their parents and suffered abuse within the family”. This is likely to be true of ALL young homeless people. Comparative data matters - & is not included. #LGBTgovPlan

In summary, the LGBT survey is statistically dubious, fails to disaggregate data, lacks definition of frequently-used unclear terms and omits key comparators. Yet the government’s LGBT policy and investment is based on this flawed data. #LGBTgovPlan