06/19/2009
White House Seeks Inclusion of Same-Sex Unions in Census Data
In March, I posted about a report from the U.S. Census bureau that same-sex couples would be required to present themselves as "unmarried partners" on 2010 Census forms. U.S. Census spokeswoman Cynthia Endo said at the time, using damaging language as further insult: "This is all about the numbers. This is not about lifestyle or anything else."
In a shift, it appears the Obama administration is now looking for a way to have same-sex couples counted:
"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...White House spokesman Ben LaBolt said 'the administration continues to make progress on the president's longstanding commitment to promoting equality for [lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender] Americans.' 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."
Posted 7:30 AM EST by Andy Towle in Barack Obama, Census, DOMA, Gay Marriage, News | Permalink
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This change, although small, actually makes me more happy than the memorandum he signed. The Census recognizing the existence of same-sex couples is a big deal. I hope they aad sexual orientation to the Census form. It is harder to ignore us when we are an actually % of the country.
Maybe the DOMA brief was what was needed to make the HRC and others light that fire under the White House. Maybe administration will actually start working on our priorities soon.
I know its a rosy picture, I'm really optimistic :/. The boycott should still go on of course, can't let the fire die :].
Posted by: msark | Jun 19, 2009 8:11:37 AM
Well this proves one thing - we've definitely got their attention now.
No Gay $$$ No Gay Votes (same for our straight allies).
Posted by: Cory | Jun 19, 2009 8:20:11 AM
This is good. However, remember, everything he directs, can and will mostly likely be changed in the next republican administration. Equality Mr. President and DNC. Legislation is action! I appreciate the baby steps, but we want to walk on our own with dignity. DOMA gone! DADT gone! ENDA approved! Civil Unions approved! That is action, which is when my dollars return.
Once again, and just as it did during the Clinton administration, the DNC is managing to self-destruct. Unless we see something before the next election, we will not see anything. President Obama, if proceeding on his current path, will lose one branch of congress next election. No doubt.
Do not be fooled by these token gestures. The real test and resolve and the champion we expect, comes at federal recognition of civil unions and those 1,200 some rights and benefits that straight married couples enjoy. It is a federal issue.
Posted by: David | Jun 19, 2009 8:41:54 AM
Yup. We are getting their attention now. Which means, it's time to pour it on now, ain't it? ;)
Posted by: Darren | Jun 19, 2009 8:44:57 AM
Do not be fooled or appeased by these tactics. Legislation is action!
Posted by: Sam | Jun 19, 2009 8:53:06 AM
This is nothing but a smoke screen, meant to stop the rage over DADT and DOMA. If anyone thinks they care about us they are fools. The DNC and Obama will look back on this in 2012 as the turning point where the cracks started to break their trojan horse.
Posted by: patrick nyc | Jun 19, 2009 9:02:59 AM
Perhaps related to this story. For those who don't know, Quigley won Rahm Emmannuel's house seat.
http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=21441
Posted by: John | Jun 19, 2009 10:00:28 AM
It is important that the government should consider london escorts as part of the society. These people deserve to be treated equally like any other employees and should therefore be given enough privileges.
Posted by: London Escorts | Jun 19, 2009 10:03:22 AM
This is definitely a change for the better. Obviously everything pales in comparison to killing off DOMA, but this and the memorandum suggest that maybe this time he actually means his promise to repeal DOMA.
Of course, I'll believe it when I see it, and by all means full speed ahead on the DNC fundraiser boycott, but I like this new Obama much more.
Posted by: Pender | Jun 19, 2009 10:23:30 AM
More crumbs... The administration is hoping to calm the furor w/ a little signature here, or a census count there... NOT FUCKING GOOD ENOUGH!
Promises were made, which appear now to be lies. The DOMA brief was at best a slap in the face, more likely a knife in the back... Getting us counted or expanding dental insurance to a handful of couples doesn't change that.
The only thing that will prevent LGBT opposition to a second Obama term is REAL ACTION!
Posted by: JSH | Jun 19, 2009 11:16:33 AM
Don't be fooled by this gesture...!!!!
Keep your money close to our community.
Donate only to credible pro-LGBT candidates......
Posted by: Godfrey | Jun 19, 2009 12:06:36 PM
Why stop there? As LGBTs are BORN that way, just like people of color, Asians, etc., there should be a Census "race-like" identifying option for individual LGBTs. That would count FAR more people than are in couple relationships [tho, of course, the majority probably wouldn't have he nerve. : - ( ]
One year, in the blank after "Other: ________," my roommate Leonard and I wrote in "Gay." I seem to have read somewhere that enough people have done it over the years that, at one point, the Census bureau actually tabulated them.
FRANK KAMENY said it best in EVERY regard: "I will define myself to my government; I will not allow my government to define me to me. I am answering the questions, not they. We citizens are the masters; the government are our servants, not the other way round. Never forget it and never let them forget it."
----------
IN MEMORIAM
LEONARD MATLOVICH
JULY 6, 1943 - JUNE 22, 1988
"When I was in the military they gave me a medal for killing two men and a discharge for loving one."
Posted by: Michael @ LeonardMatlovich.com | Jun 19, 2009 12:35:04 PM
Went to Mt Sinai in NYC for an exam last week and had this exchange with the nurse who was filling out a form as part of my check-in:
"Married, or single?"
"That doesn't apply to me."
"Excuse me?"
"I'm not legally permitted to marry in the state of New York. I'm gay."
"Oh, that's just a technicality, you can always go to California."
"California just banned gay marriage."
"It did? Oh, OK, I'll just put you down as single."
Our civil rights are a technicality at a major research hospital (not church, not synagogue) in New York fucking City (not Dallas, not Kansas City) We got a lot of work to do, people.
Posted by: christopher | Jun 19, 2009 1:05:03 PM
Why count us - if we don't count?
Posted by: Dan McDougall | Jun 19, 2009 2:46:19 PM