To think this question is irrelevant and out of order?

[Blacksheepcat]

DD has just submitted her UCAS application and after submitting she let me read through (I had already read her personal statement previously). There was a question asking sexuality!!! She had put heterosexual (she’s always told me she identifies as bi-sexual). I asked “why have you put that”? and she said “I didn’t want to answer it really and I definitely didn’t want all my teachers seeing my answers” so she basically put what she thought was the ‘normal’ and ‘acceptable’ answer. I told her she could have left it blank if she wanted...AIBU to think this question is outrageous, irrelevant and none of their damn business? If it’s just for ‘data reasons’ then they have not got an accurate answer anyway as she has just given the ‘normal’ answer she thought they were looking for. Seriously saddened and disappointed that they would even ask this question from vulnerable young people who are still discovering themselves and maybe still unsure. It has absolutely no bearing on their a academic ability?
In my whole life, I have never, in college or job applications, interviews, or anything been asked my sexual preferences and if I was I would obviously say MYOB.

I'll add my voice to the many above and say that these forms are absolutely standard on job applications, course applications and professional surveys, and have been for many years. They are not their so the organisation can discriminate. The decision makers will never see the info. They are there to make sure there isn't discrimination. If 10% of applicants are black but they make up only 1% of successful applicants, the organisation will want to look at why. If 20% of people starting a degree are gay but they all drop out and fail to graduate, they will want to look at what is going on there. If my daughter had been faced with one of these for the first time, I would have reassured her it's normal and not used for any nefarious purpose, but she could choose not to answer if she wasn't comfortable.

*there

I wish MN has an edit function

I think.it,s normal isn't it?It certainly was when I worked in the NHS along with what ethnicity would you describe yourself as ,do you have a,disability etc .

I've written references for students for UCAS forms - I don't even see the personal statement they submit unless the student emails it to me separately! None of her teachers will see the data collecting answers such as sexual preference as far as I know. I'd be more concerned that she's not reading application forms properly if she hasn't realised there's a prefer not to say option when warnings of this are given - maybe focus on that.

^file.
Services keep this data to monitor their demographics, so they can identify if there are issues with getting people of different demographics into the service etc.
YABU as you are nit understanding the purpose, and your ability to do that will then help your daughter.^

This
I have worked for the same company for 15 years. It was on the application form then, and us included in the annual staff survey “census”. (This year it started to included socioeconomic background, based on your situation aged 14). It’s designed to monitor inclusion, so that recruitment strategies can be developed to raise awareness of opportunities with unrepresented groups.

If no one states their sexuality on their application and just gets a place offered on merit alone then there is no way they could possibly be discriminating is there?

But it's not just about discrimination in applications. Say for example a uni, or a company, had a big drop in the number of LGBT applicants - they should know about that because maybe there's an issue, are they for some reason seen as somewhere that LGBT students wouldn't feel comfortable going, and if so why.
Ditto disabilities, if a uni has a really low proportion of disabled applicants, is it because their campus isn't very accessible, or their open days and website don't make it clear what accessible accommodation they have etc.

"UCAS is breaking the law"

I don't think so? There is no law against collecting any of the information listed, and preferred gender relates to transpeople then yes it is also a protected characteristic.

In response to your assertion that your daughter didn't realise it was not compulsory or required to complete that page I would suggest you talk to her about the importance of reading forms she is completing properly

Strongly agree!!

I helped DD check over her UCAS form and we had a brief conversation about why they asked those questions and that it was fine to say "prefer not to say". It's pretty important to read forms carefully and give truthful answers. I'd focus on that, because there will be plenty more when she gets to uni.

I'm also sure that those using the data are well aware that the average 17-18 year old may not yet have a clear idea about their sexuality and might give different answers depending when asked. Same with sixth form tutors if they're worth their salt.

My god, are you being deliberately obtuse?!

P.S. if your daughter can’t read and understand UCAS questions, should she really be considering uni?

@JonSlow
There’s really no need for that spiteful remark.
Do you feel better now?

Teachers/schools don't see that part of the form

That part of the form will not impact on any offers she receives.

It is important for universities to have this information for all the reasons listed above. Nobody is suggested your sexuality is a 'special need' but we do need to know who is applying and who chooses not to study with us.

Gathering this type of information is a standard part of most application processes.

I can see where JonSlow is coming from though. The OP’s daughter did NOT read the application properly. By her age now, she should either be know to do that (my child did Y6 SATs last year and frequently told me “you have to read the question very carefully first”) or she should know that she is unable to do so (processing disorder?) and just get her mother to check it.

It is ridiculous for OP to blame UCAS for her daughter so mistake.

But OP herself has completely ignored multiple people replying on this thread about why this is asked and how this is treated. Why go on about being asked it in job interviews when multiple people have explained that the data is separated from the application? Why go on about no discrimination when the interviewer doesn’t know, or only ask at offer stage when multiple people have said this is for the benefit to ensure a university attracts applications in the first place?

That is just like the complacent firm that says “well we recruited Jo and he’s Nigerian”, and fail to acknowledge that Jo was the only BAME person in a decade who had applied to them (because their website had noting but shots on Caucasian people... which they might realise if they THOUGHT about their lack of application and compared themselves).

OP and her daughter appear to be cut from the same cloth - both no taking the time to read properly.

Yabu. Standard application. The section you are referring to is confidential and for data collection only. Standard in my industry and you don't need to answer it.
Something is amiss... I don't think your daughter read the application correctly

That section is not visible to the school/college when they check the form and add the reference.

The OP is focusing on a situation which doesn't exist.

Obviously I’ll have to teach her otherwise. I was merely asking if the question should be on there at all and 60% of people agree with me that I ANBU.

Really? That's a bit presumptuous OP?

Well you seem desperate to argue against any reasonable point anyone makes about why this is important. So I will just say that LGBTQ rights groups have long campaigned for this question to be included in applications. Employers (etc) who have an appalling record for equality issues have long tried to avoid asking such questions.

Do you really think you understand more about LGBTQ equality and how this best achieved than the many professional groups that have been working in this field for a very long time?

Unless you really believe that (in which case how arrogant) then I think it's time you opened your mind, accepted that you have completely misunderstood how this works and learn from the answers you have received rather than arguing with them.

P.S. if your daughter can’t read and understand UCAS questions, should she really be considering uni?

^This. OP get over it. It is a question which your daughter should have read properly. Move on

Link to the guide for completing the form www.ucas.com/file/131431/download?token=LLf-qD0M

Page 20 - Universities and colleges have a legal obligation to make sure applicants are not discriminated against or disadvantaged. This information will not influence any decision in respect of your application and will only be shared with the universities and colleges after you have secured a place or at the end of the application cycle.

What is your sexual orientation?
What is your sexual orientation? Please select your sexual orientation from the drop-down list.
If your sexual orientation is not included in the list, select Other. If you do not wish to provide the information, please select I prefer not to say.
Responding to this question is optional. The response to this question will not be considered as part of your application.
If you decide to disclose this information, your response will be treated in the strictest confidence. Your school or college, adviser and referee will not have access to it; and during the application process it will not be seen by the universities or colleges where you are applying. The university or college where you secure a place will have access to this information once your place has been confirmed. All data disclosed will be stored in compliance with the Data Protection Act 1998.
By disclosing this information universities and colleges will better understand the composition of their student population and be able to identify and remove any barriers to an inclusive environment for all students. In addition, this information will help universities and colleges monitor progress in equal opportunities and meet their legal obligations under the Equality Act 2010.

Seems completely clear to me that it's optional, the Prefer not to say IS an option and that nobody will see it.

You’d actually think, given that OP’s daughter doesn’t have ‘straight privilege’ she might be interested enough in researching how and why this data is used.

Screenshot. Did you or your daughter read the info on how to complete the form? It's even in bold,

OP just another example of you not really getting to point;

OP; @carolinelucaseshandbag

You said

An organisation should reflect the population in general. If 2% of the population identifies as LGBT but only 0.1 % of uni applications are from this group, then they can work towards ensuring this is not due to unconscious discrimination etc.
What are you not getting here?!!

But....

If no one states their sexuality on their application and just gets a place offered on merit alone then there is no way they could possibly be discriminating is there?

Are you suggesting they would offer places to LGBTQ+ applicants, who may not warrant a place on merit, just to get their percentages up?

If an application didn’t require you to state your colour, religion, gender etc...they could never be guilty of discriminating, which is why they advise you to not put your age on your CV these days so they can’t be ageist."

There are many reasons why institutions may have unconscious bias / discrimination against minority groups. For example, lack of active LGBTQ groups on campus, a reputation for not supporting BAME students, a number of old hard ti access buildings. Therefore people from those communities may avoid applying to those. Without this data, how would the uni know? Do you really think discrimination/ equality is just "we are colour / disability / sexuality blind"? Our society is much more nuanced than that. Luckily it's recognised, and data is collected to try and address this. If your daughter does lead her life as a gay/ bi woman, this is a positive. It's recognising her existence and her needs. Well not hers specifically before you get paranoid

And there is the actual information screenshotted by @slashlover below. Ffs.