Jessie Casson/GettyOn Tuesday night, the census will ask Australians aged 16 and over about their sexual orientation for the first time.For some people, this may be as simple as checking a box. But for others it won’t be so straightforward. This may be the first time you’ve been asked about who you’re sexually attracted to in an official way. So, what should you write?On Monday, the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ (ABS) chief statistician, David Gruen, acknowledged this is information some people won’t want to share:those questions have an option which is “prefer not to answer”, because we understand these are sensitive questions.There are a range of reasons you might not feel comfortable disclosing your sexuality to other members of your household. Or you may just be unsure where you fit. And given heterosexuality is often assumed unless explicitly “declared” otherwise, selecting “prefer not to answer” may not feel neutral either. Here’s what to keep in mind.What will I be asked?The new sexual orientation question comes after decades of work by community organisations, advocates and researchers to bring Australia in line with comparable countries including New Zealand, Canada, Scotland, England and Wales.The question has been carefully designed in consultation with an LGBTIQ+ advisory committee and, after testing, will look like this: How does the person describe their sexual orientation? Please tick/mark/select one box: ☐ Straight☐ Gay or lesbian☐ Bisexual☐ Person 1 uses a different term (specify)☐ Don’t know☐ Prefer not to answer What the options meanBeing “straight” or heterosexual means being romantically or sexually attracted to people of a different gender. Sometimes this is described as being attracted to “the opposite sex”. Most people are heterosexual. But if you’re attracted mainly to people of the same gender, you may identify as gay (typically men) or lesbian (typically women).Some people are attracted to people of many or all genders, including their own. This is broadly what it means to be bisexual.Sexual orientation might not always reflect your current sexual behaviour or relationships – it’s about how you understand yourself. For example, some people might hesitate to choose “bisexual” if they’re in a long-term relationship with someone of a different gender. But the only answer that matters is what feels best for you, regardless of whether you’re single, in a relationship or have ever been in one.How we experience attraction can be complex, so straight, gay, lesbian and bisexual are just some of the many words people use to describe their sexual orientation. If the terms listed don’t reflect how you feel, you can specify your own term. The ABS has a detailed process to make sure different terms are still counted. The census will also include a question about gender for the first time. You can select man, woman, non-binary, another term, or “prefer not to answer”. Read more: Why the census won’t ask about intersex variations, and the reason it should Why am I being asked this?Who we’re sexually attracted to might be considered private, but it’s an important part of life and relationships and can have a big impact on our experiences of the world around us. Despite a lot of progress, we know that people who are lesbian, gay or bisexual still report many social disadvantages: from poor mental health and barriers to accessing health care, to reduced education, housing and employment outcomes. Until now, lesbian, gay and bisexual people have largely been invisible in the national data, making it harder to understand the size and diversity of these communities, where people live, and how experiences differ across age, regions and other parts of society. What the government learns in the census helps shape important decisions about funding, services and policies for LGBTQ+ people across the country. How should I answer?While you should answer truthfully, you shouldn’t feel pressured to “come out” to others in your life if you’re not ready, are unsure, or don’t feel safe. Most often, the census is completed by one person in your household, and that might cause challenges if the person completing it doesn’t know your sexual orientation. You might not have told them yet or you may feel uncomfortable doing so. If that’s the case for you, you can request your own individual census form to complete by yourself online or on paper. This ensures your responses are kept confidential.An individual form may also be something to consider if “prefer not to answer” doesn’t feel like the right option.If you are a parent or carer of a young person aged 16 or over who lives with you, it’s important to be sensitive and support them to answer this question in a way that feels safe and authentic for them. For example, you might ask them if they’re happy to tell you what to put down, want to fill out that section themselves, or if they want their own form.For anyone filling out the census on behalf of others, the best approach is to not assume. You could ask, “What would you like me to put for this?”It’s important to approach this conversation without judgement. It may even prompt unexpected disclosures and you should be prepared to respond sensitively.Why does this matter?Better data won’t solve inequality on its own, but it provides a stronger foundation for planning services, allocating resources and evaluating whether policies are improving people’s lives. However, no one should feel obliged to disclose their sexual orientation if they don’t feel safe or ready. Including this question is ultimately about giving people the opportunity to be counted if they wish. For many Australians, that represents an important step towards ensuring everyone is recognised in the evidence that shapes our nation’s future.Ruby Grant receives funding from the Australian Research Council and the Commonwealth Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. Adam Bourne receives funding from the Australian Research Council, the Medical Research Future Fund, the Commonwealth Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, the Commonwealth Department of Social Services, the Victorian Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, and the Victorian Department of Health. He is is affiliated with Thorne Harbour Health as a Board Director, serves as Co-Chair of the Victorian Whole of Government Ministerial Taskforce and is a member of the ABS Census LGBTIQ+ Advisory Group.