July 6.2001 » Just mat.
i; [i]
T he
Sinews
R esults A re O ut
Oregon census figures show dramatic increase
in same-sex partner households by Jim Radosta
ensus figures released July 3 for Ore
gon show a dramatic increase in
households with same-sex partners
hut most likely continue to under
count the actual number because of
continued anti-gay bias.
“These figures represent a very positive trend
for Oregon,” said David M.
Smith, Human Rights Campaign
communications director and
senior strategist. “In our opinion,
the increase reveals more and
more couples are willing to iden
tify themselves as same-sex part
ners in a federal survey, but many
continue to fear a backlash from
anti-gay policies at the federal
level and continued societal anti-
gay bias. And despite an educa
tional effort by HRC and other
groups, not all respondents were
aware of the census question.”
In Oregon, the total number
of households comprising same-
sex partners was 8,932—a 295
percent increase from the 2,263
same-sex couples in 1990. A
total of 3,846 households were
composed of male couples, and 5,086 were com
posed of female couples.
The census counted 1,333,723 total house
holds in Oregon. “As more gay and lesbian fam
ilies feel comfortable about identifying them
selves, the American people will become aware
that public policy does not treat them equally
and will seek to rectify this injustice,” Smith said.
One of the significant trends found in the
data is the presence of same-sex couples living in
the vast majority of small towns and rural areas
in addition to mid-sized and large cities, where
popular stereotype views them
residing. Census figures for Ore
gon show same-sex unmarried
households in rural areas are
slightly up.
“For the first time ever,
government has begun
documenting the
21st century family"
—Lorri L. Jean
According to the data, 82
percent of same-sex unmarried
households are from urban areas,
while 18 percent are from rural
areas. This marks a slight change
from 1990, when only 14 percent of same-sex
unmarried households were in mral parts of the
state and 86 percent were from urban areas.
In the urban areas 3,115 of the same-sex
unmarried partners were men and 4,218 were
women. In rural areas 731 were men and 868
were women.
“The 2000 census confirms that gay and les
bian families are present in virtually every cor
ner of the nation,” said Gary Gates, a researcher
with the Urban Institute, which is working with
HRC on a special census project tracking same-
sex partner households. “This suggests signifi
cant diversity among America’s gay and lesbian
families and offers a rich source for future demo
graphic research on a segment of our population
that has unfortunately too often been ignored.”
Four other states released census data July 3:
Maryland, Colorado, New Mexico and North
Dakota. Maryland reported the largest number of
same-sex households with 11,243, a 271 percent
increase from the 1990 census.
Colorado was next with
10,045 same-sex households, a
385 percent increase. New Mexi
co reported 4,496 same-sex house
holds, a 429 percent increase.
"More and more couples
are willing to identify
themselves as same-sex
partners in a federal
survey, but many
continue to fear
a backlash"
—David M. Smith
And North Dakota reported
703, a 583 percent increase.
The census will be releasing
data for other states in batches to be complet
ed by mid-August.
“For the first time ever, government has
begun documenting the 21st century family,”
said Lorri L. Jean, National Gay and Lesbian
Task Force executive director. “The dramatic
increase in same-sex partner households reflect
ed in these census figures shows that one of our
primary mandates is to ensure that every gay, les
bian, bisexual and transgender family receives
the same services, benefits and treatment given
to other families.”
Paula Ettelbrick, NGLTF fam
ily policy director, said the census
does not count single queer peo
ple but since 1990 has counted
unmarried same-sex partner
households. The category of “un
married partner” appeared on the
census form for the first time 10
years ago.
About 150,000 households
nationwide self-reported as same-
sex unmarried partners—a severe
undercount compounded by the
U.S. Census Bureaus disqualifi
cation of same-sex couples who
marked “spouse” to describe their
relationship. This year, Ettelbrick
explained, the agency reported it
would change same-sex partners
who marked “spouse” to “unmar
ried partner,” resulting in a better count.
“The census numbers reflect the changing
face of our society,” she said. “As a community,
we clearly shifted our focus in the 1990s to
securing our family relationships through
domestic partner benefits, adoption rights and
same-sex marriage. The census numbers mirror
the unprecedented rise in the visibility of our
families during the past decade.”
Jean added: “Public policy flows from the
U.S. census. If we are not counted, we lose out
on federal funding for research, funding for com
munity services and passage of laws that benefit
our community. We also sacrifice important
opportunities for more equitable political repre
sentation of our community." D
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