Why did VTDigger ask candidates for their sexual orientation?

2022-12-19

Dear friend,

I submitted the following letter to the editor of VTDigger today. (Update: It’s now been published, with VT Digger giving it the headline Why ask that question?)

To the editor:

As a candidate in Vermont’s 2022 elections, I received numerous surveys. Of these, VT Digger’s stood out in asking, only six questions in, “What is your sexual orientation?”

What is Digger doing with this data? The election guide itself does not report on sexual orientation, and the survey gave no added context. Would Digger use this data to “out” people? To target coverage? If such a question appeared on an employment application, it would set off alarm bells for discrimination.

Screen shot from Digger's candidate survey asking "What is your sexual orientation?"

The survey included an address to email “if you have any questions.” I sent my question in July. No reply. To a first-time candidate far from Montpelier, this only felt more alienating. After the election I tried again to reach someone, and succeeded this time.

Digger’s editors were responsive to my concerns in phone conversations, which I appreciate. They explained that my email had gone to a shared election inbox, where no one saw it. I also learned that Digger was gathering the data for aggregate demographic coverage—something that would have been nice for candidates to know.

It was pointed out to me that the question was optional. Fair point. But consider why such a question is out of bounds in a job interview, even if “optional.” No matter their sexual identity or level of openness about it, a candidate would feel pressured to comply, or risk appearing uncooperative. As asked, the question exploits a power dynamic to gather data.

I would urge Digger to delete this data, and to handle survey questions like this with more transparency going forward.

Sincerely,

Tristan Roberts

Representative-Elect, Halifax, Whitingham, Wilmington