The next census—in 2021—could ask people about sexual orientation and transsexualism. Plans for the national questionnaire are being drawn up by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), but Parliament is likely to have to consider any change to ask about LGBT issues. Previously it has been shown that 1.6 percent of people in the U.K. are lesbian, gay or bisexual, while under 4,000 people have obtained a gender recognition certificate.

In a public consultation, homosexual lobby group Stonewall supported asking about transsexualism in the next census. The Equality and Human Rights Commission proposed questions on the issue, which included a blank space to describe “how you think of yourself.” It also recommended giving people the option to say they had been through gender reassignment but “then changed back.” READ MORE


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