For the first time, the census will ask your sexual orientation. My new study shows why it matters

Olena Malik/Getty When Australians complete the census on August 11, they’ll face a new question that’s been a long time coming. For the first time, people aged 16 and over will be asked about their sexual orientation – whether they identify as straight, lesbian, gay, bisexual, pansexual, asexual or use another term. The information the census collects shapes billions of dollars in public spending, influences how health services are provided, and determines which populations governments can see…