A small step forward. The Census Bureau reversed a Bush-era policy and will now “count” same-sex marriages. The 2010 Census begins on April 1, when mailed questionnaires and paid census-takers will blanket the nation in an attempt to find out who is living where and how.

According to the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, the census is extremely important:

“The data collected has a direct impact on issues that are critical to every American–issues like health care, economic stability, safety.”

For the first time, people in same-sex relationships will be able to characterize their partner in one of three ways: husband, wife or unmarried partner. In previous census years, all people in same-sex couples who chose to indicate so on the census were defaulted to unmarried partner.

This is important because the United States can now capture a slightly more accurate “snapshot” of the number of same-sex couples in the U.S.

The Chicago Tribune, however, points out:

“The 2010 count, however, should not be interpreted as a federal estimate of how many legally married same-sex couples live in the United States. Technically, it’s only going to count how many same-sex couples use the term husband or wife to describe their partners.”

So, that’s the small step forward. According to the national Gay and Lesbian Task Force, we need a big leap. Although the current Census form asks people about their heritage, it asks nothing about sexual or gender identity. Simply adding a question to the form that asks a person to identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual and/or transgender would yield incredible information about the numbers in our community.

So, the Task Force is encouraging a free and noticeable “protest.” Order a pink sticker that says “Queer The Census” and slap it on your envelope. The sticker gives you the option to identify your sexual and/or gender identity. To order the sticker (for free!) just click HERE.

There is an event coming up related to this at the Q-Center:

You’re invited to Portland’s LGBT Census Public Service Announcement Premier! The 2010 Census will be the first US Census to allow same-sex couples to self-identify as either married (husband-husband or wife-wife) or as unmarried partners. In a partnership between the office of Portland Mayor Sam Adams and Oregon Census 2010 outreach specialists, two Public Service Announcements targeting Portland’s (and the broader) LGBT community will be released to spread the word about the changes to the 2010 Census. Who’s coming: Mayor Sam Adams, Commissioner Deborah Kafoury, US Census staff, Filmmakers Michael Kurz, Niva Bennett, & Clay Neal, as well as leaders of local LGBTQ organizations–and you. Sponsored, in part, by Soter Vineyards, Widmer Brothers, and New Deal Vodka.

This event will be on Thursday, March 18, 2010 from 6-8 pm at the Q-Center (4115 N. Mississippi, Portland Oregon.)

Here’s Kate Clinton with some help on the issue:

What do you think? How important is an accurate count of our community? Will you be identifying your same sex partner as husband or wife? Do you think this will help our community gain rights? Leave comments below.

Tags: marriage equality, politics, Q-Center, trans/gender