|
As many of you know, the upcoming Census will allow many lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people to identify ourselves on the questionnaire.
The Census won't count all people in a community unless same-sex couples participate. We know from research on Census 1990 and 2000 that same-sex couples are under-counted on the Census and may choose not to participate because of privacy concerns or because they do not think they can be counted. So it's important that in same-sex couples know how to, and feel comfortable with, identifying themselves.
Accurate Census data about same-sex couples has allowed for a better understanding of LGBT people in various racial/ethnic, socio-economic, and geographic communities. For example, data from Census 2000 show that more than a third of men and women in same-sex couples in California are people of color. In addition, 66% of the children being raised by same-sex couples in California are non-white -- 50% of these children are Latino/a.
Other findings from California Census 2000 data include:
- Almost one quarter of members of same-sex couples in California are Latino/a (24%).
- Over one-third of all Asian and Pacific-Islanders (API) in same-sex couples in the United States live in California.
- Almost one-fourth of African-American men in same-sex couples are U.S. veterans, a rate greater than the 20% of veterans among men in different-sex married couples.
- African-American, Latino/a, and API parents in same-sex couples have fewer financial resources with which to raise their children than their heterosexual counterparts.
The basic information to share in the LGBT community is that:
- Census 2010 will not include questions about sexual orientation or gender identity.
- Census 2010 will allow same-sex couples who live in the same residence to identify themselves.
- And, for the first time ever, Census 2010 will allow these couples to either identity themselves as "spouses" or "unmarried partners." The Census will leave couples free to choose either description of their relationship, whether or not they are in fact legally married.
Same-sex couples will be able to identify themselves on the relationship question (see below), which asks the person filling out the form to identify how all other individuals in the household are related to him or her.
Same-sex couples who have been legally married or consider themselves to be spouses should identify one person as a "husband or wife." Other same-sex couples may be more comfortable using the term "unmarried partner." In general, this "unmarried partner" designation is designed to capture couples who are in a "close personal relationship" and are not legally married or do not think of themselves as spouses.
Further Resources
This information was prepared by the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law, and more information can be found at http://www.OurFamiliesCount.org.
Assistance, Trainings, Speakers, and Expertise
The Williams Institute can be a valuable resource for Census education to help you make sure members of same-sex couples participate and are counted. We are available to answer questions and provide materials and expertise on the 2010 Census. We are also prepared to provide trainings to community organizers and serve as community speakers. We encourage you to contact us.
For any questions or follow up you may contact Christopher Ramos .
Fact Sheets
The Williams Institute has developed an "LGBT Basics" document in both English and Spanish.
Website
The Williams Institute is also a proud sponsor of the Our Families Count Census 2010 education and media campaign targeting the LGBT community. Here are links to the Our Families Count campaign website in both English and Spanish.
|
