What Gays Need To Know About The 2010 Census

The 2010 Census And The Gay Population

The United States Census Bureau will once again assess the American population with the 2010 Census. But will GLBT people be counted? The number of gay, lesbian, and bisexual couples could only extrapolated from obscure census questions. Previously under DOMA, the federal law defining couples as one man and one woman, the Census Bureau did not explicitly collect data on same-sex couples. Therefore, gay and lesbian-headed households were grouped into the "unmarried partner" category. However, on June 19, 2009, the agency announced that it would better count same-sex couples.

“They will be counted, and they ought to report the way they see themselves,” Steve Jost, a spokesperson for the Census Bureau stated. “In the normal process of reports coming out after the census of 2010, I think the country will have a good data set on which to discuss this phenomenon that is evolving in this country.”

Here's what gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people need to know for the 2010 Census:

• The 2010 Census will collect data on same-sex couples.


• It is unclear whether the census data will include questions about sexual orientation for individuals.


• Respondents can only designate male or female on the survey. The question will not account for gender identity or expression.

Learn more about the 2010 Census and LGBT people.