The 2010 Census

At the request of our friends at the Human Rights Campaign, we encourage you and your congregation to partner with the U.S. Census Bureau to help achieve a complete and accurate count of every U.S. resident in the 2010 Census.Conducted every 10 years, the census describes who we are as a nation. It guides critical decisions on the national, state and local levels that affect Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender people. The 2010 Census will be the first to report counts of both same-sex partners and same-sex spouses. Transgender individuals will be counted as the sex they identify.One of the shortest census forms in history, the 2010 Census form asks 10 questions and takes about 10 minutes to complete. It’s easy, important and safe. By law, the Census Bureau cannot share respondents’ answers with anyone, including other federal agencies and law enforcement entities. All Census Bureau employees take the oath of nondisclosure and are sworn for life to protect the confidentiality of the data.  The penalty for unlawful disclosure is a fine of up to $250,000 or imprisonment of up to five years, or both.Please spread the word and let others in your community know about this important effort. You might want to download this flyer to post and distribute.