Dear Members and Friends of MCC,
As part of our commitment to social justice, beloved community, radical inclusion and spiritual transformation, MCC is partnering with the U.S. Census Bureau and Our Families Count to spread the word about the importance of the 2010 Census to our U.S.-based churches and local communities.
When examined from a global perspective, census in any country impacts the world. Almost every nation conducts some sort of census or accounting of residents on a regular basis. To date, the United States Census has never taken into account Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) communities by including married or coupled LGBT people in our households. 2010 marks the end of this incongruity in the census of United States residents!
In previous census years, data received for households required gender identifications of male and female if "married" or "domestic partner" was selected. For the first time in U.S. Census history, marriage and/or domestic partnership will not be limited to male-and-female gender indicators. In other words, the United States Census will count as valid all households which indicate a partnership, regardless of the gender identifiers.
Our transgender siblings will also receive the privilege of indicating the gender (unfortunately still limited to only "male" or "female") that they prefer. This is a change from previous years when our transgender siblings were expected to indicate the gender assigned at birth. We still have much work to do for this cause!
Every year, the U.S. federal government distributes more than $400 billion (USD) to state, local and tribal governments based on the collected census data. Accurate census data helps determine congressional representation, grant funding and serves to guide local decision-makers on where to build new roads, hospitals, housing, schools, places of worship and more.
We have the opportunity to participate in the census as people of faith. In doing so, we rise up to be counted and add integrity to the data collected; we also aid in determining the social, economic, and spiritual needs for our local communities. Pledging our commitment to be counted in this United States 2010 Census is another way to lift our voice to improve the quality of life in our U.S.-based communities. We are hopeful and hope-filled that our efforts will continue to bring about changes positively affecting the safety and livelihood of all of our LGBT siblings.
MCCers, I ask you to please prayerfully consider how you, your family and friends, and your local church congregation can find a way to get involved in the census wherever you are in the world. MCC, can we count on YOU? (See below for some suggestions.)
Grace and Peace,
+ Nancy
Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson
Moderator Metropolitan Community Churches
