Experts behind the Demography of LGBT+ Population in Latin America

Who are the experts behind the census questions that quantify LGBTQ+ populations in Latin America? This research combines qualitative and quantitative methods to identify and analyze the individuals responsible for deciding whether to include specific questions about LGBTQ+ populations in the 2020 census round across the region. In this presentation, we focus on the cases of Argentina and Ecuador, examining the entire process of constructing these questions in detail and through a comparative lens. We analyze the stakeholders involved, the mechanisms of participation and exclusion, and the outcomes in terms of statistical results and the legitimacy of those results. Our findings reveal that public statistics are highly contingent, highlighting the ways in which exclusive processes become normalized, ultimately influencing the reported numbers and essential demographic characteristics of LGBTQ+ populations. Additionally, this paper offers practical recommendations for policymakers aimed at enhancing the participatory and legitimate quantification of LGBTQ+ populations.