This is the first online survey to identify the sociodemographic characteristics of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) people. It is being conducted by the National Institute of Statistics and Informatics (INEI). Data can be submitted until August 17. Although the Peruvian legislature is cutting back on rights and protections for the LGBTIQ population , there has been some progress in other areas of the government. On the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia, the National Institute of Statistics and Informatics (INEI) launched the first online survey for people in the LGBTIQ community.

[READ ALSO: Alert in Peru on the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia ]

This tool seeks to identify the sociodemographic characteristics of the community. While some approaches and surveys of this typeThis was the first time such a survey had been conducted by an official Peruvian state body. “The aim is to understand their main characteristics, the main problems affecting them, their knowledge of their rights, their living conditions, and their most urgent needs,” states the INEI at the beginning of its survey.

"We don't know who we are"

Liliana Huaraca, an activist with the Peruvian Equal Marriage movement, told Presents While the information won't be completely accurate, it's a first step. “We don't know who we are, how many of us there are, or what our living conditions are. It's important to have some data of this kind so the government can develop public policies that protect our rights. Some kind of real, concrete information needs to be generated,” Huaraca said. The survey has six sections covering the following topics:

• Education; health; identity, body and sexuality; family environment; disability; employment and ethnicity.
• Discrimination and violence.
• Knowledge of the rights of LGBTI people.
• Citizen participation.
• Perception of the condition of LGBTI people.
• Housing and household data.

Guaranteed security 

As soon as the survey was released, some internet security experts on social media detected flaws that could put respondents vulnerable. The INEI (National Institute of Statistics and Informatics) quickly corrected the flaws, assured the complete security of the participants, and reiterated that it was a completely anonymous survey. releaseSeveral organizations reaffirmed their confidence in the INEI initiative and urged LGBTI people to complete the survey without fear. While the survey requires the National Identity Document (DNI) number for registration, this information is encrypted and not associated with the responses. In other words, security is fully guaranteed for LGBTI individuals, both openly and privately.

[READ ALSO: First map of the LGBTI population published ]

“This is a completely necessary public policy for us, and it will also help those who are in the closet to have a better society so that we can all finally be freer and happier,” stated activist Liliana Huaraca. Are you a Peruvian LGBTI person and haven't filled out the survey yet? Don't worry, you can do so until August 17, 2017 at this link. link.]]>