LGBTQ+ Being Considered by the U.S. Census To Be Counted

May 17, 2024
ALEXANDER

LGBTQ+ Being Considered by the U.S. Census To Be Counted

The Human Rights Campaign issued a call for action in light of the U.S. Census plans to research how they can safely and privately collect data on sexual orientation and gender identification for the American Community Survey (ACS). High-quality data on demographics of American citizens are collected every year but as of now, there is no data being collected on behalf of the LGBTQ community. These surveys as well as the decennial census collect data to direct billions of dollars in federal spending.

The US Census is asking for public feedback. Moving forward with this test will ensure that we are counted in the next census. HRC has been instrumental in advocating for us to be included. As of late, there has been a rise in discrimination and harassment of the LGBTQ community, and being included in the ACS would encourage the government to provide evidence-based solutions and services to counteract these acts.

Vigorous testing would be done by the ACS to ensure that data on the LGBTQ is handled privately and that information is secure. What we have to believe is that collected data would not be used in any harmful way towards the community or to out us.

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The Human Rights Campaign was established in 1980 by Steve Endean and was primarily established to raise funds for supporting pro-fairness congressional candidates. The organization has now become the nation's largest LGBTQ+ civil rights organization and has expanded its research and programs to advance inclusive policies at work, in schools, hospitals, communities, foreign nations, and beyond.

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They currently have 3 million members with a digital reach of over 9 million. It is considered the most effective mainstream advocacy organization in the country. HRC reports an estimated 52 million Equality Voters across America, making the LGBTQ and ally community one of the largest and most politically engaged voting blocs in the country.