Guide to Completing the NSW Government LGBTIQA+ Inclusion Strategy Survey
For lesbian, gay and bisexual people and allies who support sex-based rights
Here’s what you need to know
The NSW Government has opened a consultation on their proposed LGBTIQA+ Inclusion Strategy. The survey is anonymous, optional in parts and takes around 5 to 10 minutes. Our aim is to highlight key issues for lesbians, gay men and bisexual people and to support members to respond in their own words while keeping sex based rights in mind.
The survey closes on 10/12/2025.
About the Survey
Members may notice several issues with the structure and design of the survey. These points are useful to keep in mind while completing it.
The survey uses the broad term LGBTIQA+ as if it describes one single community. This groups together people with very different needs, rights and interests. It is an activist term rather than a neutral or descriptive one.
There is no question about biological sex. This makes it difficult to speak clearly about the needs of same sex attracted people.
Several questions lead respondents toward preferred themes instead of inviting open feedback.
Regardless of the survey’s design limitations, people are encouraged to complete it. LGB people, and allies who support sex-based rights, should use this opportunity to ensure our views are included. Even within a limited format, clear responses can help bring attention to issues that are often ignored.
The final question is a free-text box with a limit of 1,000 characters. This is an important to give direct feedback and key issues of concern. It is the best place to speak clearly about sex based rights, the needs of LGB people and any problems with the overall design of the survey.
Completing the Survey
Question 2 - How do you describe your gender?
Choose the option that best matches your biological sex.
The survey does not allow you to record sex directly, but you can clarify this in the free-text question later.
Question 4 - Which of the following apply to you? (multiple choice)
You must select ‘LGBTQ+’ to unlock later questions.
If you do not, the survey blocks you from answering most of the substantive questions. This design excludes LGB people who don’t accept the umbrella label.
Question 5 - Are you trans or gender diverse?
Answer “No” here.
Question 7 - Below are some of the key things people have told us impact a sense of inclusion for LGBTIQA+ people. They are all important, but which 5 do you think are most important?
Select the items that most resonate with you and remember to add any comments in the free text field at Question 16.
Question 8 - To what extent do you support a NSW Government LGBTIQA+ Inclusion Strategy to strengthen equality and inclusion in NSW?
If you answer ‘Extremely Supportive’ or ‘Very Supportive’, an extra question appears.
If you answer anything less than strong support, the survey does not ask for your reasoning. This is a design bias.
Question 9* - Why is the NSW Government's LGBTIQA+ Inclusion Strategy important to you?
This is a free text field.
Questions 9*-13* - Safe, inclusive and accessible services
The following questions, 9 to 13, ask about barriers to health services, mental health services, police services, public transport and education services. Each uses a scale from no barriers to significant barriers or I do not know.
Question 14* - This next question focuses on the safety of people within LGBTIQA+ communities and your own personal experiences.
If you choose not to answer, you will skip to the final question.
Question 15* - This next question focuses on the safety of people within LGBTIQA+ communities and your own personal experiences.
If any of your negative experiences relate to defending sex-based rights or being openly LGB, you can select ‘Other’ and briefly describe it.
There is no dedicated option for this, so this is the only place it can be recorded.
Question 16 / Final Question - What is one change you most want the NSW Government LGBTIQA+ Inclusion Strategy to achieve?
This is the 1,000 character free text field where you can respond to the question and provide context to any issues you are most concerned about. Note the privacy guidance in the survey.
Overview:
Sex and sexual orientation are real and must be recognised in the Strategy.
LGB people must be able to identify clearly without being forced under an umbrella.
The umbrella model has damaged LGB safety, community and single-sex spaces.
Government language should remain neutral, not ideological.
Consultation must include groups that speak specifically for LGB people.
Points to consider in your response:
The strategy should recognise that sex and sexual orientation are real and important parts of inclusion, and that LGB people should be able to identify clearly without being placed inside the broad LGBTIQA+ label.
The broad umbrella is a form of forced teaming. It groups people with different needs together and can leave LGB people isolated or overshadowed inside a much larger category.
Inclusion work should allow same sex organisations and events to exist without pressure to include people of the opposite sex, and without expecting LGB people to accept gender ideology.
Broad umbrella approaches have contributed to the loss of single sex spaces for lesbians and gay men, which has affected safety, community life and cultural connection.
The shift from lesbian and gay language to queer language has created confusion and weakened clear language about sexual orientation. Government language should stay neutral and avoid redefining basic terms such as sex and sexual orientation.
Consultation and service design should include groups that speak specifically for lesbian, gay and bisexual people, and engagement should give people enough room to explain their views so that LGB perspectives are not lost.
Start the Survey
Start the survey here - NSW LGBTIQA+ Inclusion Strategy
The survey closes on 10th December 2025.
Feedback?
How did you find the survey? Anything we should be aware of?