Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI): A Tutorial on Ethical Data Practices

In the U.S., approximately 13 million individuals identify as part of a sexual and gender minority (SGM). This broad spectrum includes sexual orientation identities such as gay, lesbian, bisexual, queer, pansexual, and same-gender-loving, as well as gender identities such as transgender, gender non-conforming, bigender, and two-spirit. As behavior analysts heed the call to engage in culturally competent practices that address diverse sexual orientation and gender identities (SOGI), they will likely consider collecting SOGI data as part of their practice. The benefits of SOGI data collection certainly exist. However, the historical oppression and increased vulnerability of SGM populations require a careful and thorough evaluation of ethical data collection practices to avoid harm and to ensure respectful and inclusive practices. The present tutorial aims to begin the discussion of ethical and effective SOGI data collection practices within behavior analysis by offering initial guidelines and considerations. We highlight methods that improve cultural sensitivity, and caution against traditional methods that could harm respondents or contribute to a non-inclusive environment.