U.S. Census Bureau reaches out to GLBT community

[Shana A]

U.S. Census Bureau reaches out to GLBT community
2010 form will recognize married same-sex couples who live together
by Rick Braatz, Staff Reporter
Published Thursday, 08-Oct-2009 in issue 1137

http://www.gaylesbiantimes.com/?id=15631

Nor will the 2010 Census record the number of transgender people living in the U.S.
"Unfortunately, given the way the questionnaire is currently structured, there is no way to identify a gender identity that is different from one's biological sex," Weinstein said.

Weinstein added that the Census has been working with the National Center for Transgender Equality to "do the job in counting the community" and advised that transgender people should "pick whichever box they fill best represents who they are."

[Julie Marie]

When it comes to checking the gender box, not all transgender persons would check the box opposite their birth gender.  Finding out if someone is TG or gay would require another question and the appropriate choices should follow.

What is your sexual orientation?
   Heterosexual
   Gay male
   Lesbian female
   Bisexual

What is your gender identity?
   Male born-male identified
   Female born-female identified
   Male born-female identified
   Female born-male identified
   Other ________________

The 'Other' choice would be for anyone who wants to be counted in the transgender figures who doesn't fall into the given choices.

Of course there would be TGs who would refuse to identify themselves as anything other than male or female and throw off the real numbers and that would hurt the ability to obtain better representation, necessary funds for education and other benefits justified because of census figures.

The census can be a helpful tool but we can't be afraid of it being abused, as it seems many people are.

Julie