LGBTQ+ needs assessment launched in Northwest Arkansas

Fayetteville, AR - The Northwest Arkansas Equality Center has launched a needs assessment of the LGBTQ+ population in the area. They would like to reach as many people as possible, especially those from marginalized genders, race/ethnicities, age groups, etc. The needs assessment is a comprehensive look at the rich diversity, needs, and experiences of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (LGBTQ) community in the region.

The purpose is to identify LGBTQ resources and unmet needs within the area, so the NWA Center for Equality, local governments, and other institutions can better serve the LGBTQ community. The effort includes an electronic survey, an exploration of existing LGBTQ groups and services, and interviews with key stakeholders in the areas communities, including local government officials and institutional members.

Information from the survey, which is available online, will be explored along with personal interviews, other surveys, the region’s LGBTQ history, and more. The NWA Equality Center assures participants that “all individual responses are completely confidential and anonymous. Please rest assured this survey is for research purposes only and analysis is being conducted by independent consultants. Only aggregate data results will be reported. There is no way to associate you, your log in information, or your email address with the survey you take.”

The survey is open to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ) individuals and heterosexual allies. Participants must be 13 years or older, and understand that the questions pertain to the needs of the residents of Benton, Carroll, Madison, and Washington Counties in Arkansas.

To access the survey, go to this link: http://bit.ly/Qbyteh. Or, alternatively, you can go to the NWA Center for Equality Facebook page, and click on the survey link there.

In addition to taking the survey, if you have a vested interest in the Northwest Arkansas LGBTQ community and would like to assist with outreach, data collection, or have suggestions of key community members or organizations the NWA Equality Center should speak with, please contact Elizabeth at consultant@nwaequality.org.

Gayly Staff report.

The Gayly – May 6, 2014 @ 9:40am