By AlaskaWatchman.com

The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services has commissioned a survey seeking to find out the sexual orientation, vaccine status and opinions of Alaskans on a host of issues.

Conducted this month via text by Alaska Survey Research, the questionnaire has gone out to about 2,000 Alaskans who will receive a $10 gift card for participating. It’s unclear exactly how the information will be used, but the survey states that the data will be utilized to “improve efforts to promote health.” Participants are assured that their information will remain anonymous.

Among the litany of questions, the survey begins by asking about a participant’s age and general health. It then inquires into views and knowledge about electronic cigarettes, tobacco and marijuana.

From there, the survey turns to sexual orientation and gender identity, inquiring, “What was your sex at birth? Male, female, or something else fits better…” Participants are asked whether they are “transgender,” “gay or lesbian,” “straight,” “bisexual,” or “another.”

The survey continues with a series of questions about one’s race, educational levels, marital and employment status, home ownership, income and what kind of health care a person has.

The last two sections deal with views about smoking and vaping regulations and whether or not one has taken the COVID vaccine shot.

In May the state released the results of a survey about vaccine hesitancy among Alaskans. Like the current survey it was conducted via text. That data was used to craft public messaging from the state to encourage more residents to get the COVID shot.

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State gathers data on Alaskans’ sexual orientation, vaccine status, tobacco views and more

Joel Davidson
Joel is Editor-in-Chief of the Alaska Watchman. Joel is an award winning journalist and has been reporting for over 24 years, He is a proud father of 8 children, and lives in Palmer, Alaska.


16 Comments

  • Karen Ottenbreit says:

    My only comment to state on asking for that info starts with an F and ends with You.

  • NorthernMegaWood says:

    If I don’t get a name on a incoming call, I BLOCK the Sumb…., that must be the # that came in today. Take a hike!

  • Jen says:

    My question is how much did all this cost out of the budget for DHSS, and what could it been spent on something better and less intrusive.

    • Jen says:

      Instead of teaching DHSS summer interns work skills they give them time and money wasting survey assignments. Calling and inputting completed text messaging surveys doesnt make them anymore better an employee to be around when they graduate. They be nothing more than a robotic employee.

  • Proud Alaskan says:

    Did you get a shot NO do you wear a mask NO
    Stop with the stupid question it’s my life not yours

  • Linda says:

    My question is…what’s the REAL purpose of this survey??

  • G Aleution says:

    In France there is a number to call if you are a mother and just need a few hours off or help with laundry you know? Why not do that instead. Part time work for older ladies, take pressure off the community. In Africa it’s a different culture than the priggishness of Alaskans. There you go out to feed the chickens gather eggs or what have you and your neighbor inquires about all those things face to face. DOOOM ON SURVEYS!

    • Freedom says:

      No body cares how they do things in France. The only thing the French are famous for is surrender and capitulation. Try again.

  • Gamma P says:

    How can a survey on these subjects be assured of truthful answers? Especially if DHSS feels compelled to offer 10 dollars to complete the survey.

  • Uccello says:

    Let’s see … 2000 survey-takers x $10. I wonder, during these budget woes, why we spent $20,000 just to get them to answer? Why, we might have spent it on Public Service Announcements like the following: “Alaskans are wising up to the Covid Hoax. The adverse reactions are being unreported and unlamented in the Marxist Media. Wake up. Refuse the vax, stay healthy and pray for your friends who have been duped.”

  • Michael S Totten says:

    I don’t take government surveys and I don’t report to the census berou

    • Fire says:

      Ha. I’m pretty good at playing hide and seek with the census folks myself

    • Muff Man says:

      This last census provided me with a lot of fire starting material for quite some time.

  • Elizabeth says:

    Book mark this article for the next time the legislature is in session whining about how there just isn’t enough money and they want to take our PFD and make some sort of state and tax.

    By the way please stop using the term “vaccine hesitancy.” It’s a stupid term meant to manipulate people into taking the vaccine. No most of us who haven’t taken it are “health freedom embracers.” Thank you.

  • Michael Alexander says:

    As long as we are using the correct terms, there is no vaccine. The correct term is gene therapy inoculation.

  • Ralph says:

    If there was a corona party, I would have attended =]
    -Give me liberty or give me death!