Protocol - Sexual Orientation
Description
A multi-part question asking participants to describe their sexual orientation. Multiple response options are provided along with an open-ended option.
Specific Instructions
The three dimensions of sexuality—attraction, identity, and behavior—may not correspond to the same orientation.
Identity: A persons core internal sense of their sexuality.
Attraction: A multidimensional concept that includes the gender(s) to which a person is attracted and the strength of this attraction, including whether a person feels attraction at all.
Behavior: A multidimensional concept that includes the gender(s) of sexual partners, specific sexual activities, and frequency of activity.
A person’s sexual orientation does not always align with behavior or attraction. Sexual orientation is useful as basic demographic information.
Availability
This protocol is freely available; permission not required for use.
Protocol
1a. Which of the following best represents how you think of yourself?
[ ] Gay
[ ] Lesbian
[ ] Straight; that is, not gay or lesbian, etc.
[ ] Bisexual
[ ] None of these describe me, and I’d like to see additional options
Branching logic: If ‘none of these describe me, and I’d like to see additional options’ selected:
1b. Are any of these a closer description of how you think of yourself?
[ ] Queer
[ ] Polysexual, omnisexual, sapiosexual or pansexual
[ ] Asexual
[ ] Two-spirit
[ ] Have not figured out or are in the process of figuring out your sexuality
[ ] Mostly straight, but sometimes attracted to people of your own sex
[ ] Do not think of yourself as having sexuality
[ ] Do not use labels to identify yourself
[ ] Don’t know the answer
[ ] No, I mean something else (optional free text) __________________
[ ] Prefer not to answer
Personnel and Training Required
None
Equipment Needs
The PhenX Steering Committee acknowledges these questions can be administered in a computerized or noncomputerized format (i.e., paper-and-pencil instrument). Computer software is necessary to develop computer-assisted instruments. The interviewer will require a laptop computer/handheld computer to administer a computer-assisted questionnaire."
Requirements
| Requirement Category | Required |
|---|---|
| Major equipment | No |
| Specialized training | No |
| Specialized requirements for biospecimen collection | No |
| Average time of greater than 15 minutes in an unaffected individual | No |
Mode of Administration
Self-administered or interviewer-administered questionnaire
Lifestage
Adult, Senior
Participants
Adults aged 18 and older
Selection Rationale
This protocol was selected because it is both the most up-to-date and in use by the national All of Us research program.
Language
English, Other languages available at source
Standards
| Standard | Name | ID | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| caDSR Form | PX011701 Phenx Sexual Orientation | 14301610 | caDSR Form |
Derived Variables
None
Process and Review
The NIH Sexual and Gender Minority Research Office (SGMRO) reviewed this protocol in August 2023.
- Added NASEM report reference
- Removed The Precision Medicine Initiative Cohort Program, Collins, F.S. and Varmus, H., and National Research Council references
- Updated Specific Instructions
- Updated Protocol Definition
- Updated Purpose
- Updated Keywords
Protocol Name from Source
All of Us Research Program, Participant Provided Information (PPI), 2018
Source
All of Us Research Program Participant Provided Information (PPI) Version: December 17, 2018
General References
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education; Committee on National Statistics; Committee on Measuring Sex, Gender Identity, and Sexual Orientation. Measuring Sex, Gender Identity, and Sexual Orientation. Becker T, Chin M, Bates N, editors. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2022 Mar 9. PMID: 35286054.
Perron, T., Kartoz, C., Himelfarb, C., LGBTQ Youth Part 1. National Association of School Nurses, 2017 Mar. 32(2): 106-115.
Perron, T., Kartoz, C., Himelfarb, C. LGBTQ Part 2. National Association of School Nurses. 2017 Mar. 32(2): 116-121.
The GenIUSS Group. (2014). Best Practices for Asking Questions to Identify Transgender and Other Gender Minority Respondents on Population-Based Surveys. J.L. Herman (Ed.). Los Angeles, CA: The Williams Institute.
Protocol ID
11701
Variables
Export Variables| Variable Name | Variable ID | Variable Description | dbGaP Mapping | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PX011701_Sexual_Orientation_Description | ||||
| PX011701020100 | Are any of these a closer description of how more | N/A | ||
| PX011701_Sexual_Orientation_Description_Other | ||||
| PX011701020200 | Are any of these a closer description of how more | N/A | ||
| PX011701_Sexual_Orientation_Identity | ||||
| PX011701010000 | Which of the following best represents how more | N/A | ||
Measure Name
Sexual orientation
Release Date
June 4, 2019
Definition
Often defined based on the gender(s) of a person's desired or actual partner(s) relative to their own gender identity.
Purpose
To obtain a person’s self-reported sexual orientation related to who they might be attracted to or partner with.
Keywords
sex assigned at birth, gender, LGBTQ, LGBTQIA, gay, lesbian, bisexual, intersex, asexual, queer
Measure Protocols
| Protocol ID | Protocol Name |
|---|---|
| 11701 | Sexual Orientation |