Census Won't Report Gay Marriage
Claims Defense Of Marriage Act Bars Bureau From Putting In 2010 Tally
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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.
Gay rights advocates complained that the Census Bureau is depriving them of a hard-fought legal recognition.
"To completely whitewash us out of existence is hurtful, discriminatory and shameful," said Molly McKay of Marriage Equality USA, a California-based group that advocates for same-sex marriage. "It's like the federal government is trying to say that we don't exist."
McKay said an accurate count of same-sex married couples would help policymakers determine the costs of providing benefits.
McKay, 38, said she plans to marry her partner of 12 years on Sept. 1, now that they are legally able to marry in California. She said they consider themselves "an old married couple," even if the government doesn't.
"This is a very sweet moment in our life. It really is an absolutely joyous time," McKay said. "The notion that the federal government is going to come in and erase our existence is un-American."
The Census Bureau is required by the Constitution to conduct a comprehensive count of the nation's residents every 10 years. Every question is either mandated by federal law or used to administer a federal program, Murdock said.
Same-sex marriage was not an issue in the 2000 census because it wasn't legal in any state. The Census Bureau's policy on same-sex marriages was first reported in the San Jose (Calif.) Mercury News.
The bureau relies almost entirely on people's responses to classify them by race, ethnicity, age and income. But not marital status - at least not in 2010.
"It really should be what you say you are, not what I perceive you to be," Murdock said. But, the agency director added, "We have some limitations. This particular act limits us in regards to this issue."
© MMVIII The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.



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See all 252 CommentsOR A YOUNG BOY SECKSULLAY TOUCHING A VERY OLD MAN.
lollll...man...only your typical philandering Republicans would of necessity feel so insecure in their marriages as to see a need for such a B/S law.
If people were REALLY worried about America''s marriages, it would have been far more effective to prohibit divorce attorneys from advertising.
Posted by ibsteve2u at 12:12 PM : Jul 18, 2008
Don''t mix issues. The two have nothing to do with each other. Opposing the homosexualization of America by the gay agenda pushing liberals does not mean you can''t cheat on your wife.
Why worry about missing the illegals? Because they suck the government funds out of budgets that are not allocated for it, since they don''t get counted.
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------------------------ Posted by ChatarPatar
No, I think the one is a Catholic Priest...
GOOD ONE!!!
OR A YOUNG BOY SECKSULLAY TOUCHING A VERY OLD MAN.
OR A YOUNG WHITE BOY IS MARRYING A OLD SAUDI ARABIAN MAN.
OR A YOUNG BOY SECKSULLAY TOUCHING A VERY OLD MAN.
OR A YOUNG WHITE BOY IS MARRYING A OLD SAUDI ARABIAN MAN.
HENCE TO ALL THOSE LIBERALS THAT HAD THAT QUICK LOOK..I would say ..enjoy each other in a very ''even'' relationship HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAH
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Posted by Husein_Pasha at 02:50 PM : Jul 18, 2008
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AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH do you even know the meaning of that word?? I know in arab it means "typical arab"
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Posted by Husein_Pasha at 02:55 PM : Jul 18, 2008
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you pretty much called every liberal that supported your terorist view..IMMORAL..
immoral or not..its the matter of tolerance..as far as I know iran just executed 2 homosexuals..what was thier crime??
OR A YOUNG BOY SECKSULLAY TOUCHING A VERY OLD MAN.
OR A YOUNG WHITE BOY IS MARRYING A OLD SAUDI ARABIAN MAN.
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Posted by Husein_Pasha at 02:58 PM : Jul 18, 2008
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so your telling me..its okay to execute people because they are homosexuals??
If not, I am not going to participate and would encourage everyone else not to either. If it is not a real count, but a count of how some religious nuts wish it was, then count me OUT.
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Posted by andor3 at 03:01 PM : Jul 18, 2008
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read the entire artile..you dont want to end working to get the size 12 foot out your mouth like your buddy terrorist Husein Pasha
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Posted by Husein_Pasha at 03:05 PM : Jul 18, 2008
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and why not?
OR A YOUNG BOY SECKSULLAY TOUCHING A VERY OLD MAN.
OR A YOUNG WHITE BOY IS MARRYING A OLD SAUDI ARABIAN MAN.
Interesting how Muslims have this holier than thou opinion of themselves, but when one travels to their countries, prostitution of people and children are rampant throughout the country. Religious bigotry is always accompanied by religious hypocrisy.
ummm did that... looks like you may not be reading comprehending, Mr. foot-in-his-mouth!
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Posted by Husein_Pasha at 03:09 PM : Jul 18, 2008
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(not that i am disagreeing with you on the immoral part but)
you do understand that these ''immoral perverts'' and thier misguided liberal ideaology IS the only thing that is keeping Bush from turning middle east into a glass parking lot..
so you cannot give them an ounce of consideration after all that support???????
ummm did that... looks like you may not be reading comprehending, Mr. foot-in-his-mouth!
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Posted by andor3 at 03:11 PM : Jul 18, 2008
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Same-*** marriage was not an issue in the 2000 census because it wasn''t legal in any state. The Census Bureau''s policy on same-*** marriages was first reported in the San Jose (Calif.) Mercury News.
The bureau relies almost entirely on people''s responses to classify them by race, ethnicity, age and income. But not marital status - at least not in 2010.
not a word of influence for your ''religious nutjob''..
Rest assured that one day your religion will go the way of Babylon.
ummm dimwit, it is the topic of the article. try to read and ask a smarter friend to explain the big words and logic to you.
You might start at the top and look into what the "Defense of Marriage Act" is, who is behind it and what their agenda is.
Or are you ONE of the religious nutjobs now trying to cover your tracks and pretend this is not that?
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Posted by Husein_Pasha at 03:16 PM : Jul 18, 2008
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what are you a "jessie jackson" desciple??
what is the foundation or basis of that secular hatred towards homosexuals if not based on a predominant mindset of islamic dogma in middle east..i assume from where you came from.
the sad fact is most ''homos'' are liberals and you just wrote that you dont mind having them executed like in Iran..THAT ALONE IS A QUICK SNAP SHOT OF the kind of garbage that swirls inside a muslim head.
In California the people voted for a law in 2006 banning homosexual marriage. Then the California Supreme Court (by one vote) declared the law unconstitutional. In November the citizens of California will vote whether to over ride the California Supreme Court and permanently ban homosexual marriage. If California passes a state constitutional amendment to ban homosexual marriage, look for the people of Massachusetts to take heart and force their legislature to pass the constitutional ban. These are classic examples of judge-made law. The people need to put the judges in their rightful collective place.
ummm dimwit, it is the topic of the article. try to read and ask a smarter friend to explain the big words and logic to you.
You might start at the top and look into what the "Defense of Marriage Act" is, who is behind it and what their agenda is.
Or are you ONE of the religious nutjobs now trying to cover your tracks and pretend this is not that?
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Posted by andor3 at 03:19 PM : Jul 18, 2008
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can you please ''cut and past'' that part of what you are saying for all of us dimwitted people..
That is not exactly true. An amendment to the Constitution will likely be on the ballot, but polls show Californians support same-*** marriages.
Most states already have laws that protect same-*** marriages in the form of anti-***-discrimination laws, so all it is going to take is a few lawsuits to force states to follow their own codes and same-*** marriage will be legal in all states.
Anyway, seems this is only the Census director engaging in a little political theater to flush out the right-wing religious nut influence and gay marriages will be counted.
That is not exactly true. An amendment to the Constitution will likely be on the ballot, but polls show Californians support same-*** marriages.
Most states already have laws that protect same-*** marriages in the form of anti-***-discrimination laws, so all it is going to take is a few lawsuits to force states to follow their own codes and same-*** marriage will be legal in all states.
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Posted by andor3 at 03:25 PM : Jul 18, 2008
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is that from this article??? and btw..the people of california VOTED TO BAN same s ex marriage with more than 50% against it..
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Posted by andor3 at 03:28 PM : Jul 18, 2008
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what is SEEMS like that even as a homosexual..YOU ARE TOO INSECURE..stop smoking crack
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