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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR- 357-09
August 3, 2009

STATEMENTS OF MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG AND SPEAKER CHRISTINE C. QUINN ON THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION’S DECISION TO GIVE OUT SAME-SEX MARRIAGE DATA COLLECTED IN CENSUS 2010

The US Census Bureau announced today that the raw data from the 2010 decennial census will include the number of gay marriages, reversing a Federal policy of re-classifying the members of those unions as ‘unmarried partners.’ Mayor Bloomberg and Speaker Quinn urged Commerce Secretary Locke to make this change in an April 2009 letter.

Statement of Mayor Bloomberg:

"The decision by the Obama Administration to count same-sex marriages in the national Census is an important step forward for our country, and one that recognizes the equality of all marriages performed by the states. The Census is, at its heart, an exercise in data collection, and I have always believed that data should be presented transparently, rather than manipulated to fit a political agenda. I want to thank President Obama for listening to those of us who spoke out in favor of a Census that respects the legitimacy of all marriages. His decision will improve the accuracy of the Census, and it may also increase participation rates, since more couples will be willing to be part of a process that recognizes their legal marriages."

Statement of Speaker Quinn:

"Today, legally married LGBT couples across the country will now be seen as part of the Census standards of marriage - two people who love and live together legally under the law. This marks a huge step forward for government and the LGBT community.

"Our census is intended to be an accurate reflection of our country's population. We need to make every effort to ensure individuals are not just counted, but that our data is fully representative of who Americans truly are.

"I applaud President Obama for the leadership he has demonstrated in today's action. I know that today's announcement is just one step in many to come towards full equality for the LGBT community."







MEDIA CONTACT:


Stu Loeser / Marc LaVorgna (Mayor)   (212) 788-2958

Jamie McShane / Maria Alvarado (Speaker)   (212) 788-7116




More Resources
Download April 2009 letter