The 2010 Census - Now Open to Gay Marriages

We don't know where the order came from within the White House, but the order has in fact been made to include gay marriages in the 2010 US Census, which is conducted every 10 years. This is the first time gay marriages will be included in the census count.

In my opinion, this is a great move on the part of the Obama administration. It gives the gay community some much needed acknowledgment from the federal government and it will give Obama a better understanding of just how many gay couples there are in the US, which I'm sure will figure into his run for re-election in 2012. Also the numbers that come out of the census will justify programs, illustrate the need for certain bills, and give a sense of size for a particular voting bloc. The census will also help counter a general tendency toward simply ignoring the existence of gays.

Today the gay community has a reason to celebrate - they will no longer be invisible. And hopefully this small step by the federal government will lead to more progress for equal rights for all Americans.