2010 Census to include same-sex unions data
6.19.2009
By Noah Michelson
Photo: Getty Images
While many gays are none-too-pleased with Obama's sluggish movement on grappling with and overturning Don't Ask, Don't Tell and the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), our new President has been taking baby steps. He did declare June national LGBT Pride month, recently issued a directive shielding federal employees from
discrimination based on sexual orientation and increasing some
benefits to same-sex partners, and now we've learned that the White House is looking to include same-sex unions in the 2010 Census count.
This is not the first time that the Census bureau has collected data on same-sex unions, but as DOMA was previously interpreted as barring those numbers from being released. The Obama administration will no longer abide by that interpretation.
However, the Wall Street Journal notes that gathering accurate data on same-sex unions may be easier said than done:
"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."
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."
Just think how impressive the numbers would be if we could actually get married in more than a handful of states.
Previously > June was made for Pride
