WASHINGTON, July 18, 2008
Census Won't Report Gay Marriage
Claims Defense Of Marriage Act Bars Bureau From Putting In 2010 Tally
-
(AP)
-
Interactive The Nation We Live In Who are Americans and what do they do? A comprehensive look at our economic, sociological and racial breakdown.
-
Interactive Gay In The U.S.A. State-by-state laws on gay issues, the marriage debate and photo essays.
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.
More From U.S.
Add a Comment See all 252 Comments
- I don''t know what my rights are because they keep changing so fast, but I''m sure that at least 1 of my rights that hasn''t disappeared yet has been violated by someone. As soon as I figure out who it was, I''m going to sue. Or start/join an annual parade. Right after I clean out my garage and find my walker.
- Reply to this comment
- Nancy_Naive
-----------
Your just jealous because you were born without one. - Reply to this comment
- raflin1 I am not Black, Hon. Black Yowe means Black Sheep or Black Ewe as in "you are the black sheep in the family", hon.
- Reply to this comment
- Reading some of the arguments here I see the same one used down through the ages for everything, like the world is flat, the earth is the center of the universe, blacks are inferior to wites, blacks should die for thinking they are the same as whites. Whites should always marry their own kind. And now, that Muslems shall rule the world. or that Christianity should be the lAST RELIGION OR THAT THE MUSLEMS SHOULD BE. People have died for every one of these misconceptions. And many more still will, because as Mr. Gump said, Stupid is as stupid dose. George Lewis
- Reply to this comment
- They may not except it in the sence that it will not be entered into the married box, but when they ask about the children, who the mother and father is, or are they living at the same address. It will show up in the Cences If the right questions are asked.
- Reply to this comment
- what kind of legal recognition can be attained with marriage that you cant get from a legal union?
- Reply to this comment
- Obama Hussein was wrong about the surge? If we went the direction he wanted a lot more of American lives would have been lost!
Michelle is wrong to want Sodomites to be recognized as couples? Yeah then they can adopt children? Did you ever spend two nights with two sodomites?
Obama Hussein is wrong on wanting the tax payer to pay for the abortion executions? 5000 babies are executed through abortion a day! - Reply to this comment
- blackyowe said:
"Marriage is about reproduction".
So, if either potential partner is infertile, the couple should not marry. Also, post-menopausal women should not marry. - Reply to this comment
- You were not born G*A*Y and just because something is legal does not mean anything at all. You are not like a Black person or a Jew. It''''s stupid lame argument with no scientific base or a basis in reality except in the minds or self absorbed little fruits like you.
Posted by BlackYowe at 12:54 AM : Jul 19, 2008
EVEN MORE jokes and hilarity!!!
First it claims that you are "not born G*A*Y", (how he knows is anyone''s guess)!!
Then in the next breath, he claims "scientific base or a basis in reality" as his "proof"!!
Does "scientific base or a basis in reality" take into consideration attraction, affection, desire, passion, or any of the other qualities that make your heart jump in your chest?
And without "having been there" (I''m assuming you HAVEN''T tried it), how can you speak on the subject at all - scientifically, physically, or emotionally?
What a joke!! A bigoted redneck, that probably just slept with his sister, is telling someone else what they "scientifically feel"!!! - Reply to this comment
- raflin you obviously do care and you were not born G*A*Y. Lifestyle is not the same thing as race. You like playing the victim. These posts here are so lame that call any one against same *** marriage bigots. It''s so stupid. Marriage came about to protect women and children and it was about reproduction. Mostly marriage is and always has been a religious act. It''s only because our society has become twisted and far removed from the natural world that this silly nonsense is even an issue. A small number of oddballs want this so they can feel legitimate and draw attention to themselves. Same thing with pushing and pushing to get Christian Churches to except them. G*A*Y people have every right the rest of us do to marry the person of the opposite *** of their own choosing. I am so sick of all this *** I could puke. It''s fringe culture forcing everyone else to kneel to to their god of self centered rubbish. The emperor has no farkin cloths!
- Reply to this comment
- hungry1969, yes indeed you are Hilarious!! I can wish with all my might I was an oak tree but that would nopt make me an oak tree. You can wish with all your might you could wed another man and its just as impossible. That make you more pathetic than Hilarious.
- Reply to this comment
- Hilarious!!
This issue doesn''t affect ANY of you, in any way shape or form, anymore than it does right now.
Yet you feel compelled to spew hatred and intolerance at a subject you have no control over AND you can''t stop from happening. And I have bad news for you - MORE and MORE states are going to start approving and recognizing g`a`y marriages. THEN what are you going to do?
Cry some more?
LOL!!!! Cry away little babies, cry away!!! - Reply to this comment
- Why should the US Census include G*a*ys? There is no such thing as G*a*y marriage. G*a*y people have the right to marry someone of the opposite s*e*x just like the rest of us so there is no discrimination. I will NEVER agree to same s*e*x marriage. Let the same *** couples have civil unions and stop there.
- Reply to this comment
- If Obama Hussein was wrong about the surge what else will he do wrong. He would of cost more American lives if we had listen to Obama and not of had the surge?
Its the Wright way to have Damnation by Obamanation!
Michelle wants an adopted child to spend two nights with two sodomites! - Reply to this comment
- And before anyone jumps down my throat just remember I don''t get angry when I am called a breeder... Each to his / her own....
- Reply to this comment
- And what would you blokes do without us Christian zealots spurring you on to greater heights of humanism and liberalism and what not? We are the burr in your side.....the thorn in your flesh that God uses to cause you to grope in the darkness for Him. Cheerio mates.
Posted by noseonurface
After all this he sounds like he is Australian! Wow, wasn''t that country made up by britains most undesirable people??? Someone has turned over a new leaf!!! Trust me, you are no thorn in my side just like they gay men and women are no more a thorn in my side. Apparently they are a thorn in your side.
Maybe the dingo got''yer babay! - Reply to this comment
- Oh no your a doomsayer???
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted by needed2bsaid at 10:45 PM : Jul 18, 2008
And what would you blokes do without us Christian zealots spurring you on to greater heights of humanism and liberalism and what not? We are the burr in your side.....the thorn in your flesh that God uses to cause you to grope in the darkness for Him. Cheerio mates. - Reply to this comment
- Just a comment regarding what you said about noseonsurface receiving an extra star by his name in the book of life.
Posted by rudy654
Ahhh, got it now... Jesus juice kicking in just a wee-bit. - Reply to this comment
- that kinda sounds like "eat, drink, and be merry, for 2moro we die"
Posted by noseonurface
Oh no your a doomsayer??? - Reply to this comment
- Trying to earn stars for salvation?
Posted by rudy654
Sorry Rudy, I missed it...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted by needed2bsaid
Just a comment regarding what you said about noseonsurface receiving an extra star by his name in the book of life. - Reply to this comment
Best-selling author Mitch Albom on his first nonfiction work since "Tuesdays with Morrie."
