Sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression

LGBTQ+ people contribute significantly to our society but continue to face discrimination and exclusion. Urban examines how gender identity and sexual orientation affect people’s financial well-being, health, and education. We also analyze the roles identity and orientation play in housing discrimination, workforce conditions, and LGBTQ+ and BIPOC* people’s experience with violence in the criminal justice system. Our work elevates people’s lived experiences and provides the evidence policymakers, advocates, and philanthropists need to advance opportunity and equity for people of marginalized identities and orientations.

Urban welcomes conversations with and questions from changemakers across the country as we continue to develop this body of research and engage with the LGBTQ+ community. To reach one of our experts, please email externalaffairs@urban.org.

*Urban uses the term BIPOC to recognize and elevate the experiences of Black, Indigenous, and people of color.

Research Report

Promoting Social Equity in an Evidence-Based Policy Environment

While equity in the distribution of public services and administration of programs should be the goal of any presidential administration, it is difficult to move programs and practices toward equity through legislative actions alone. Therefore, one of the social equity recommendations set forth for the first year of the presidential term beginning in 2021 emphasizes administrative frameworks, data collection, research and evaluation that should be put in place quickly. This would allow agencies to determine if existing services are effective and equitably distributed, if new initiatives are likely to have equitable impact, and if statutory changes are warranted.