Same-sex marriages recognized

In the spirit of progression, the U.S. Census Bureau made the decision to officially tally same-sex couples and families for the first time in the national survey's history.

Though the title of same-sex marriage is not currently binding in all states, the decennial count for 2010 will acknowledge current existing domestic partnerships in the country.

According to an article by the Associated Press published last year, U.S. Census Bureau spokesperson Steve Jost said that enumerating married gay couples would not require any immediate changes in the census forms, which includes boxes for the genders of people living in a household and their self-reported relationships as "husband," "wife" or "unmarried partner."

For last census in 2000, the Bush administration established a policy that barred the count of same-sex couples, but since then, the policy has been reversed for a better account of the country.

"It's a step forward for the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community," said Carlos Uribe, national program director of San Francisco's Children Of Lesbians and Gays Everywhere (COLAGE).

"(I'm) excited that this is being addressed for the first time. It is a sign that work is being done," Uribe said.

He said it was important that LGBT couples, as well as families and communities, are to be understood. In gaining rights, he stressed that voices of the LGBT community should be heard and that there are not only couples, but also families.

"There are many out there," Uribe said.

Assemblywoman Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) said the public should realize that there are same-sex couples, and there are families with same-sex couple parents.

"We can't hide them in the closet anymore," she said. "We all have family members that are gay and if they are part of a (separate) family unit, they should be counted as a family."

Since the federal government uses census statistics for proper allocation, services and resources would be directed toward the count of same-sex relationship residencies. Pedro Rosado, district representative from the office of Sen. Loni Hancock (D-Oakland), said the 2010 census will determine the needed funding for the LGBT community.

"This is the way to maintain the quality of life," he said.

Also, Rosado said that the LGBT community struggles to be identified, but that once it is, many amenity opportunities will be made available. Facilities and programs such as more HIV prevention and community outreach centers can be established based on the population turnout in regard to the response of same-sex couples and families, he said.

"They are no longer taking the backseat," Rosado said.

Though same-sex couples and families are to be finally counted, another change in future census forms is being suggested. Uribe said the LGBT community desires to have an additional question about individuals' sexual orientation and gender identity.

"It's a much-needed thing if we want to (further) understand our families," he said.

A project initiated by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force is currently working toward implementing the supplement inquiry. The project, titled "Queer The Census," hopes to have it mandatory for the 2020 census.

Rosado supports the movement and said that since the LGBT community is known for philanthropy to society, it is time for them to be represented, and the census will help.

Although that is still to be debated, participation from the LGBT community is still encouraged and supported, census partnership assistant Pedro Sahagan said.

It is imperative for same-sex couples to fill out census forms, he said, in order to "get a better portrait of America."

Contact Brent Bainto  at bbainto.advocate@gmail.com