IN recent years, the availability of data concerning the LGBTQ+ community has grown significantly, thanks to the inclusion of relevant questions in census collections both in the U.S. and internationally. This has led to a surge in data-driven reporting on LGBTQ+ issues, facilitating a more nuanced and comprehensive understanding of the community.
The democratization of data collection has empowered journalists and researchers to tell more accurate and authentic stories about the LGBTQ+ community. In a report that appeared in the International Journalists’ Network, Kae Petrin and Jasmine Mithani in a report titled “7 Best Practices For Covering LGBTQ+ Communities Through Data” suggested data collection methods to improve the accuracy of collection of information on diversity and inclusion.
This data driven reporting impacts immensely on regions where the LGBTQ+ is discriminated upon or even hurt, and digital platforms have become safe spaces for communication and even calls for help.
In Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia, homosexuality is illegal and punishable by death under Sharia law. In both countries there is no legal recognition or protection for LGBTQ+ individuals, and they are often subject to societal discrimination and violence due to deeply rooted cultural and religious beliefs.
While the death penalty is rarely carried out for consensual same-sex acts, individuals can still face flogging, imprisonment, chemical castration, and deportation. Transgender people are also criminalized, as their gender expression is often interpreted as a violation of religious law.
The situation for LGBTQ+ individuals has drastically worsened since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in 2021. There have been reports of extrajudicial killings and torture of LGBTQ+ individuals by the Taliban.
Despite the hostile legal and social environments, digital platforms have become crucial tools for LGBTQ+ individuals in both countries to find community, support, and information.
Secret online groups and encrypted messaging apps allow for anonymous communication and the sharing of resources. However, the use of these platforms also carries significant risks, as authorities can monitor online activity and use it as evidence for prosecution.
There is the need for secrecy because internet freedom in both countries is still highly constrained. The Saudi government is attempting to improve high-speed internet access nationwide, but the absolute monarchy of the country restricts the types of content that may be accessed online. A report from the Guardian indicates that, ”only a quarter of men and about 6 percent of women able to access basic internet services” in Afghanistan.
International human rights organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have documented the discrimination and violence faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan. They advocate for legal reforms, provide support to LGBTQ+ activists, and pressure governments to uphold their international human rights obligations.
Data collection conducted by advocacy groups such as The Trevor Project’s National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health and community-led initiatives like the National LGBTQ Task Force’s annual survey have provided valuable insights into the experiences and challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals.
For example, community-led initiatives like the ASEAN SOGIE Caucus have provided valuable insights into the experiences and challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in Southeast Asia, including the Philippines. For instance, the “Being LGBT in Asia” report published by the USAID and UNDP highlighted the discrimination and violence faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in the Philippines, leading to increased advocacy efforts and calls for legal reforms. This data has been used by journalists and activists to push for policy changes that protect LGBTQ+ rights and promote social inclusion.
Another example, data from the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law has been instrumental in highlighting the economic disparities faced by LGBTQ+ individuals, revealing higher rates of poverty and unemployment compared to their non-LGBTQ+ counterparts. This data has been used by journalists to advocate for policy changes that promote economic equality and address systemic discrimination.
Social media campaigns like GLAAD’s annual Spirit Day, which encourages people to wear purple in support of LGBTQ+ youth, have leveraged the power of social media to raise awareness and combat bullying.
Social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram have become powerful tools for activism and awareness-raising, with hashtags like #LGBTQ and #Pride amplifying the voices of the community. platforms like Reddit and alternatives such as Mastodon and Bluesky with their different algorithms.
Online forums and dedicated websites like provide support and resources for LGBTQ+ youth who may be struggling with their identity or facing discrimination. Online articles and data visualizations, such as those published by ‘The 19th,’ a nonprofit newsroom covering gender, politics, and policy, have helped to make complex data accessible and understandable to the public.
However, the collection and reporting of LGBTQ+ data is not without its challenges.
Spotty collection practices, data suppression, and privacy concerns can hinder efforts to provide a comprehensive picture of the community. For example, the Trump administration’s attempt to remove questions about sexual orientation and gender identity from the 2020 census raised concerns about the erasure of LGBTQ+ people from official data.
Despite these obstacles, data journalists and researchers are finding innovative ways to navigate these complexities. They are widening their set of data sources to include community-led surveys and smaller-scale government collections, while remaining critical of new data collections and their comparability over time. By carefully examining methodologies, question texts, and demographic groupings, they can provide more accurate and nuanced analyses of the data.