Our Families Count and Williams Institute Launch 2010 Census LGBT Education Toolkit

GO TO:  ourfamiliescount.org/census-bureau/

March 15, 2010 (Washington DC) – Beginning today, American households everywhere can expect to receive their 2010 Census forms in the mail: an important civic milestone that happens only once every ten years. 

This year, however, the households of all LGBT Americans will receive important added attention.

The Williams Institute for Sexual Orientation Law and Public Policy and Our Families Count today join forces for this critical national project by providing the first-ever “toolkit” intended to share information and answer the questions asked by America’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender households – along with their families, allies and friends.  The tools will also help community groups to spread the word effectively throughout the entire LGBT and allied communities.

Our Families Count Coordinator and U.S. Census LGBT National Partnership Manager Che Ruddell-Tabisola urged all LGBT leaders and community groups to help with this important education: “We are proud to share a unique array of resources and easy-to-download and read fact sheets that are especially tailored for our families and households – for the very first time, and only a click away.”

Ruddell-Tabisola also gave significant authorship credit and thanks to expert demographer Dr. Gary Gates, Williams Institute Distinguished Scholar.  Gates provided generous content and advice throughout the editorial process to ensure accuracy and completeness of these new, innovative tools.  The Williams Institute has played a significant leading partnership role in many ways, and as an official supporter for Our Families Count in its mission to include LGBT Americans in U.S. Census 2010.

The tools, in downloadable PDF format, include:

  • The Census: A Basic Snapshot (eight pages, in English and Spanish language versions) – All the basic facts about the Census and first-of-their kind demographic maps of same-sex households by race and ethnicity (as demonstrated in U.S. Census 2000).
  • Information for Transgender Communities – Smart questions, and the right answers for transgender communities and individuals taking part in Census 2010.
  • It’s Up To You – One page flyer and call to action for LGBT leaders and households.
  • Mail It Back – A simple palm card for community organizers and educators.
  • Sample Partnership Announcement – Stepping up to spread the word?  Here is a simple membership announcement for local and state groups to use with their members and allies.
  • Sample Newsletter, Email and Website Copy – Need the right messages and facts for your own media channels?  Look no farther.
  • Sample Messages for Text Messages, Twitter and Facebook – Keep it short but keep it accurate.  These are designed to help with online and digital messaging for all.

Brad Sears, Executive Director of the Williams Institute, said, “Census 2010 is a once-in-a decade opportunity to gain critical information about the LGBT community.  It will provide accurate data to inform policies ranging from LGBT people serving in the military to marriage.  Making sure you are counted is just as important as voting.  While voting on a ballot measure might impact one of your rights; participating in the Census will impact all of your rights for the next decade.”

For more background generally on the 2010 Census, please also visit www.2010census.gov.  Be sure to visit www.ourfamiliescount.org for details specifically for LGBT households – with questions and answers found there in both English and Spanish.

To stay connected on popular social networks, you may also find Our Families Count on Facebook, and feel free to follow on Twitter (twitter.com/rfamiliescount), or check out MySpace (myspace.com/ourfamiliescount).  

The Williams Institute for Sexual Orientation Law and Public Policy (www.law.ucla.edu/williamsinstitute) advances law and public policy through rigorous, independent research and scholarship, and disseminates its work through a variety of education programs and media to judges, legislators, lawyers, other policy makers and the public.

Our Families Count (www.ourfamiliescount.org) is an entirely voluntary public education campaign launched in fall 2009. This campaign represents a collaborative effort by leaders and community organizers across the LGBT and ally spectrum in America. Our partnership website is maintained by Bilerico Media which also is the proud owner and donor of the domain.  The campaign has been endorsed by over 140 of the nation’s leading LGBT advocacy and resource organizations, business leaders and academic institutions.  While LGBT community leaders and groups will advocate on many public policy issues, this campaign takes no position on specific issues or questions.

For more information on this year’s Census, please visit:
www.census.gov
www.ourfamiliescount.org
www.law.ucla.edu/williamsinstitute

Our Families Count Campaign Media Contact:

Bob Witeck
202-887-0500 ext. 19
media@ourfamiliescount.org

To Endorse the Campaign Visit: www.ourfamiliescount.org/join

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