Improving How the City of Boston Collects Gender Data
We're improving the way we ask people about their gender identity.
Changing the data collection process
What We’re Trying to Achieve
Right now, we ask residents about gender identity to deliver key services. But when we ask, we often aren't using language that represents all gender identities and may not even need gender identity to deliver some of these services. We want to understand how to ask about gender identity in an accessible, affirming, and safe way.
What We’ll Do
Over the next few months, we're going to lead a mix of projects to address this issue, including:
- Literature Review of Best Practices
- Process mapping of the Boston Marriage License experience
- Engagement with Governor and state government about gender inclusion priorities
- Focus Groups with Boston residents
- Survey about language on the Marriage License
We'll use the results to do two things. First, we'll make the marriage license process more inclusive. Next, we're going to work towards clearer guidelines City departments should use to ask about gender identity.
Get Involved
Join a Feedback Call About the Marriage Registration Process
We are looking for feedback about the marriage registration process from LGBTQ+ people who have recently completed or are planning to go through the marriage registration process with the City of Boston in the near future.
