Per the recent Northwest News brief in the latest edition of Just Out (out now at a coffee shop, downtown corner, bar, restaurant or virtually any other business near you), for the first time in history, the 2010 U.S. Census will allow same-sex couples to self-identify as either married or unmarried partners. The data collected is poised to have a huge impact for the gay, lesbian, bi and trans community in coming years.

Andrew McIlrath of the U.S. Census Bureau, and partnership specialist for gay, lesbian, bi and trans communities in Oregon, has supplied a great F.A.Q. to ensure that the pesky questionnaire is filled out correctly by the LGBT community.

Check it out after the jump, and make sure you’re represented correctly! Census forms will be delivered to households in mid-March, and completed forms should be mailed back by April 1. From April through July, census takers will visit households that did not submit a form through the mail, and the Census Bureau delivers population information to the President for apportionment in December. Each of the 10 questions on the census form helps to determine how more than $400 billion will be allocated to communities across the country.

For more information, check out this UCLA Williams Institute presentation on the importance of an accurate count of LGBT Americans. Even more info here.

LGBT Frequently Asked Questions

How does the 2010 Census count lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people?
The 2010 Census does not ask about sexual orientation or gender identity. LGBT people living with a spouse or partner can identify their relationship by checking either the “husband or wife” or “unmarried partner” box.

How do same-sex couples answer the relationship question?
The 2010 Census will be the first to report counts of both same-sex partners and same-sex spouses. The person filling out the form (Person 1) is asked to identify how all other individuals in the households are related to him or her. Census data are based on how individuals self identify and how couples think of themselves.

Same-sex couples who are married, or consider themselves to be spouses, can identify one other adult as a “husband or wife.” Other same-sex couples may instead decide to use the term “unmarried partner.” In general, people who identify as unmarried partners are in a close personal relationship but are not married or do not think of themselves as spouses. Census data are based on how individuals self identify.

This includes same-sex couples that live somewhere that their relationship is not recognized.

What about transgender individuals?
The 2010 Census asks a question about each person’s sex. Transgender respondents should select the gender with which they identify. Mark only one box.

How do I answer the race and ethnicity question?
The 2010 Census includes two questions about race and ethnicity. Note that the question about ethnicity is separate from the question about race. Further, the race question allows respondents to check all boxes that apply.

A note to bi-racial/ethnic couples:
Census reports some statistics on the race/ethnicity of the “household.” Bi-racial/ethnic couples should note that this is determined using the race/ethnicity of Person 1, the person who fills out the Census form for the household.

Additional information can be found at2010census.gov, or contact Andrew McIlrath, partnership specialist for LGBT communities in Oregon, at andrew.p.mcilrath@census.gov or 503-507-0491.