Archive for the ‘National News’ Category

MORONGO BASIN—The 2010 Census is the first to count same-sex marriages, unions and partnerships. Equality groups are counting on same-sex couples to indicate such when their census questionnaires arrive next month.

The ‘couples’ data collected can benefit LGBT communities because it is expected to reveal the extent of our presence and open the door for legislative and policy initiatives especially at the state and local level. Our State Assemblyman, Paul Cook, for example, may be less eager to draft more anti-gay legislation given the had only 58% compliance in the 2000 Census. Without raw numbers to qualify the need, it will be difficult to push for services. Your responses are confidential and protected by law.

Statistics on income for same-sex couples may show the need for protection against job discrimination. Data on queer households with kids will help challenge laws limited gay adoptions. We already know we are everywhere; this is our chance to show as much to our legislators.

Because only gay couples, and not singles, are to be counted this time around, it will be enormously beneficial to indicate on your Census form that you share your household as ‘partners’ even if you only live with a gay room mate, or if you stay at your partner’s place just a few times a week.

Our Families Count is a nationwide LGBT group whose mission is to educate and motivate LGBTs to be visible and participate in the census.

YUCCA MESA—The 2010 U.S. Census is the first to count same-sex marriages, unions and partnerships. And while no census question asks your sexual orientation, the ‘couples’ data collected will be used to make policy and draw conclusions about LGBTs in the U.S.

LGBT equality groups nationwide are counting on same-sex couples sharing households to indicate such on their census questionnaire. Your census questionnaire arrives this March.

The hope is that the data will reveal the extent of our presence nationwide. Determining an accurate number has been a challenge considering the high level of LGBTs who remain in the closet.

Census 2010 Question 1 asks the age and sex of those in your household. Question 2 asks about their relationship. Same-sex couples may check either ‘Husband or Wife’ or ‘Unmarried Partner’.

Even if you stay at your girl or boyfriend’s place just a few times a week, it will benefit LGBTs if you indicate you both share the household. This will give a more accurate accounting of queer couples.

The previous two censuses systematically underreported gay and lesbian couples. In the 2000 Census, software was written to ‘recategorize’ spouses in same-sex marriages as ’unmarried partners’. In 1990, the gender designation of one partner was simply altered to show a male/female couple.

In both cases, the prior administrations interpreted the Defense of Marriage Act (DoMA) as prohibiting release of the data. DoMA says the federal government can recognize a marriage only between a man and a woman. The Obama Administration doesn’t view release of same-sex marriage statistics as inconsistent with DoMA.

The current administration is reaching out to LGBTs. Census 2010’s Partnership Specialist Matt Weinstein, pictured here, set up at Palm Springs Pride to answer questions, and let LGBTs know that we count.

Our Families Count is a nationwide LGBT group whose mission it is to educate and motivate all LGBT Americans and households to be visible in 2010, and to participate in the census.

LGBT’s should not fear persecution as a consequence of honest answers to census questions. Responses are confidential and protected by law. Bureau employees take an oath to protect your confidentiality and could face jail and/or fines for disclosing census information that could identify you.

Next month, we’ll look at some of the ways the census data collected will benefit the ongoing struggle for LGBT equality in the U.S.

SAN DIEGO—Doug Manchester, owner of the 2nd-largest Hyatt hotel in the U.S. gave $125,000 in crucial early seed money to the Prop 8 effort. Now Manchester has launched a cynical PR campaign to interfere with ongoing marriage equality efforts.

The Courage Campaign, Equality California, UNITE HERE, & Californians Against Hate have teamed up to boycott Manchester Hotels. So far, the move has cost Manchester more than $7 million.

Join the boycott of Manchester Grand Hyatt & Grand del Mar Resort. Go to:
http://www.SayNoToManchester.org/Pledge

Tell your friends.