Balancing inclusivity and practicality: Should the South African census and social surveys include measures beyond the gender binary?
This Occasional Paper aims to prompt critical thinking and inspire a more inclusive way of collecting data related to sexual orientation, gender identity, and variations in sex characteristics (SOGISC). It draws on discussions from a seminar series on ‘queering social survey research’ hosted by the GCRO in collaboration with the Centre for Sexualities, AIDS and Gender (CSA&G) and Social Impact Insights Africa (SIIA) from 6 October to 17 November 2022. The paper suggests the significant value of including SOGISC questions in the South African national census and various social surveys to make aspects of queer experiences visible in policy and broader understandings of society.
Date of publication:
June 2026
