As a tool to advance social justice, more is required than the collection of data about LGBTQ lives and experiences. This approach is overly reliant on evidence falling on the ears of people in existing positions of power that wish to listen. We are often told that before taking action, we need evidence.
However, many LGBTQ people do not japan rcs data require further evidence of their experiences, particularly when they’ve encountered marginalisation or discrimination. required for a cis, heterosexual audience (operating within a cis/heteronormative society) who may or may not take action, depending on the quality of the proof provided.
However, in gathering data to get others to take action, LGBTQ people potentially find themselves swamped in data that neither encapsulates the diversity of experiences nor pays attention to the many positive dimensions of LGBTQ lives.
When discussing what happens at the space where data practices and identity characteristics intersect, we are capable of holding multiple views about the benefits and harms of data.
It is our responsibility to champion the use of data to change the world in positive ways but also highlight its potential to entrench exclusionary practices that stall efforts to advance justice for the most minoritised within the LGBTQ community.