You Don't Count!
I heard about this yesterday, and could hardly believe it. Basically, as far as the U.S. Census is concerned, gay couples who are married don't exist. Read more...
The Census Bureau says the federal Defense of Marriage Act bars the agency from recognizing gay marriages in the nation's 10-year count, even though the marriages are legal in Massachusetts and California.
The agency's director, Steven Murdock, said in an interview Thursday that the 1996 federal law "has that effect, in terms of being a federal agency. We are restricted by it."
The Census Bureau does not ask people about their sexual orientation, but it does ask about their relationships to the head of the household. Many gay couples are listed in census figures as unmarried, same-sex partners, though it is an imperfect tally of all gay couples.
Murdock said the bureau will strive to count same-sex couples in the 2010 census, just as it has in the past. But those people who say they are married will be reclassified as unmarried, same-sex partners.
Same-sex couples with no children will not be classified as families, according the bureau's policy. Those with children who are related to the head of the household will be classified as families. (source)
I remember putting down that we are "married". Yes I know, no one sees us that way. We are, to the law, state and federal, "legal strangers", but I said, screw it... I KNOW WHAT WE ARE. So I put down "married", and I listed Kent as my "spouse".
Now I find out that we didn't count. Not only that, gay couples who are really married by a state don't count. NICE.
Going off to a nice room somewhere and repeating 100 times, "I love my country. I do! I do! I do!"
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If we don't count, then we shouldn't have to pay taxes...
Wasn't there a big ol' tea party for something like this awhile ago?
It's amazing to me how you can just make people not exist because you refuse to recognize them. Pretty scary if you ask me.
I doubt I'll even send it in then. They don't want to count me so why should I spend my time filling out their very intrusive form?
Nah, it'll go in the trash can and if they want to make an issue of it, fine. I'll take the position that if I even responded my responses would be changed to fit a religious agenda and therefore the census is no longer valid.