White House Looks to Include Same-Sex Unions in Census Count

[question everything]

Source: WSJ

WASHINGTON -- The White House said Thursday it was seeking ways to include same-sex marriages, unions and partnerships in 2010 Census data, the second time in a week the administration has signaled a policy change of interest to the gay community. The administration has directed the Census Bureau to determine changes needed in tabulation software to allow for same-sex marriage data to be released early in 2011 with other detailed demographic information from the decennial count. The bureau historically hasn't released same-sex marriage data.

(snip)

The Census Bureau has long collected data on same-sex marriages when people chose to report it. White House officials said the previous administration interpreted the federal Defense of Marriage Act as prohibiting the release of the data. The Obama administration has abandoned that interpretation.

(snip)

An accurate statistical snapshot of legally married same-sex couples may be elusive. Before the White House's plan emerged, Howard Hogan, associate director for demographic programs at the Census Bureau, said data from its 2007 American Community Survey showed more than 340,000 same-sex couples as being in marriages. But according to data from Massachusetts, the only state that permitted gay marriages in 2007, about 11,000 marriage licenses were issued for same-sex couples.

(snip)

The original plan for handling these marriages in the 2010 Census was controversial among some statisticians and gay activists. Following procedures employed in 2000, the bureau had planned to use a computer program that recategorized spouses in same-sex marriages as unmarried partners. For the 1990 count, the bureau simply altered the gender designation of one partner. Some members of the 2010 Census Advisory Committee, composed of private statisticians and members of nonprofit groups, said they think that the bureau has handled same-sex marriages irresponsibly. Ed Spar, a member of the committee and the executive director of the Council of Professional Associations on Federal Statistics, said altering data like the bureau has done with same-sex marriages "does not make any sense."

Read more: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124537164093129827.html

[tomm2thumbs]

1. the Repubs should want this - they can say 'see, there really ARE only 20 of you out there!'

LOL - but I guess if they want to keep it hidden away, they know the truth. The numbers would likely shock and shake them.

[bluestateguy]

2. This should not be hard to do

nt

[chollybocker]

3. I thought the WH promoted Don't Ask/Don't Tell ?

This flies in the face of that.

[question everything]

4. Only in the military?

And it does not exactly "promote." Rather, it does not take steps to repeal it.

Yes, results are the same, but this is politics and intentions count.

[No Elephants]

20. Sorry, no. Only results count.

[sandnsea]

5. When? n/t

[No Elephants]

21. Since Inaguration Day.

[Rowdyboy]

6. "White House Looks to Include Same-Sex Unions in Census Count"

Source: Wall Street Journal

WASHINGTON -- The White House said Thursday it was seeking ways to include same-sex marriages, unions and partnerships in 2010 Census data, the second time in a week the administration has signaled a policy change of interest to the gay community.

The administration has directed the Census Bureau to determine changes needed in tabulation software to allow for same-sex marriage data to be released early in 2011 with other detailed demographic information from the decennial count. The bureau historically hasn't released same-sex marriage data.

The gay community strongly supported President Barack Obama during the 2008 election. But some gay activists say they have been frustrated by what they see as his slow approach to rolling back discriminatory policies.

White House spokesman Ben LaBolt said "the administration continues to make progress on the president's longstanding commitment to promoting equality for Americans."

Read more: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124537164093129827.html

[uppityperson]

7. Just make them into legal marriages, that would simplify things

[4lbs]

8. I think the White House wants to present a reasonably accurate count of the number of same-sex

couples.

Many of the opponents have said this is just a small, insignificant part of the population.

I believe they want to come back with an unassailable figure, like "4 million same-sex couples aren't being allowed to marry and are having their civil rights denied."

[GinaMaria]

18. an actual number would help, imo

Stand up and be counted. I had no idea the census didn't capture this information already. Seems like a no-brainer. I'm sorry I haven't been more aware of how invisible our own government attempts make same sex partnership. It is really disturbing. Similar to being erased from a photo.

[Zenlitened]

9. Some background:

From the Windy City Times:
http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=21441

Quigley asks Obama to recognize same-sex married couples in census

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Before leaving Washington for a weekend at home in the 5th District, Congressman Mike Quigley, D-Ill., sent a personal letter to President Barack Obama, urging him to recognize same-sex married couples in the 2010 Census. The entire text of the letter is as follows:

“On May 14, 2009, I joined many of my colleagues in sending you a letter to voice our shared belief that same-sex married couples, in states that recognize the marriage, should be counted in the 2010 Census. This recognition of same-sex married couples will ensure the collection of proper and accurate data, so that the integrity of the Census is not jeopardized, which I fear will happen if this information is omitted.

“As stated in our letter, my colleagues and I do not believe that simply reporting data about same-sex married couples in the 2010 Census is a recognition of same-sex marriage. However, the omission, or ‘scrubbing' of the data from these couples will misidentify and misrepresent many people who are legally married in a growing number of states across our country. Since the Census is a portrait of America, information about legally married, same-sex couples should not be ‘scrubbed' from the record.

“Our letter, of May 2009, stated ‘It is our understanding that the Census Bureau officials are operating under an inaccurate Bush Administration interpretation of the Defense of Marriage Act ( DOMA ) that federal statistical agencies are prohibited from tabulating and reporting data on same-sex marriages. We firmly believe that publicly reporting data collected on the status of same-sex couples in the United States is not tantamount to federal recognition of same-sex marriage. Instead, public reporting simply provides basic information about how Americans respond to the Census Bureau's questions.'

“When I was elected, I promised to come to Congress to continue my work to ensure the civil rights and equal treatment of all Americans. I would not be upholding my promise if I let this opportunity pass by, for proper and equitable treatment of all Americans in the 2010 Census.”

Championing issues important to the LGBT community, Quigley's letter is one part of a larger effort. Immediately after being sworn in this past April, his first act in Congress was to co-sponsor the Hate Crimes bill, which would authorize the Department of Justice to investigate and prosecute certain bias-motivated crimes based on the victim's actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or disability. Earlier this month, Quigley called for the repeal of the military's “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” policy, which mandates the military discharge of openly gay, lesbian or bisexual service members.

[Rowdyboy]

10. Thank you

The more background, the more understanding, the better...

[Zenlitened]

11. No prob. :)

:hi:

[AlphaCentauri]

12. hope this will help couples to gain more representation in congress

[Rowdyboy]

13. Merely being able to state authoritatively that there are %&@% gay couples would be a huge gain....

We'll see what happens

[burning rain]

14. The administration will be able to say that with them, gays count....

at least in the literal sense!

[MannyGoldstein]

15. Mmmmm... Yummy Bone...

See! Now Obama's recognized you gay people, so give him money again!

[Fearless]

16. Even if it doesn't happen as quickly as we want it to... the tide is turning.

This is a HUGE step to our federal "legitimacy".

[DURHAM D]

17. I'm sorry but didn't they do this in the last census.

I remember filling out the form.

I even remember info release afterwards.

Are we just supposed to be that brain dead?

[No Elephants]

22. No, they didn't count gay couples in the most recent census. That's the whole point.

[OneBlueSky]

19. a cynic might say . . .

"Yeah, get all their names and addresses -- then when the purge comes, they'll be easy to locate and haul away to the camps." . . .

or something like that . . .

[No Elephants]

23. Good on Quigley and those who joined in Quigley's letter and good on Obama.