Particularly at the state and local levels, gay advocacy groups say census data on income for same-sex couples will show the need for more protections against job discrimination. Statistics on households with children will help them challenge laws limiting gay adoptions and legal guardianship. With raw numbers to illustrate the need, it will be easier to demand services, they say.
But conservatives say the tally could just as easily support their position that most gay people aren't looking to get married. They say they will oppose attempts to make policies more gay-friendly.
"It seems homosexual activists use these various markers as ways push their agenda, to force people to go along with whatever they demand," said Wendy Wright, president of Concerned Women for America, which promotes "biblical values." "Regardless of what the numbers are, they're going to exaggerate the importance of it and claim all of society must change in order to comport with their demands."
When the raw data is released in 2011, it will no doubt show the number of same sex couples far exceeds all the "guestimates", giving us momentum to push for more gay-friendly legislations.
And I have already in a small way, become a part of it. Our household was selected by the Census Bureau to complete the American Community Survey, which I have filled out and returned. I look forward to getting the "real deal" next year.
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