The Census Bureau has released the most comprehensive statistics to date on same-sex couples living together in the U.S.
Still, many in the community remain invisible. Here’s what census data can and can’t tell us about LGBTQ+ people.
🌈 Less than 20% of LGBTQ+ people live in same-sex couple households. Little is known about the 80% of people who don’t live with their partner or have a different-sex partner.
🌈 The 2020 census didn’t ask about gender identity or sexual orientation. Last year, the DOJ requested the data be included in the American Community Survey, which is often used to test census questions.
🌈 But it’s a tricky moment to collect such data. AI advancements make protecting privacy harder, and anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and sentiment are rising in many states.