In a move underscoring U.S. census data’s important role in how federal funds are allocated to communities in New Jersey and across America, U.S. Rep Tom MacArthur (R-NJ) on Thursday urged the U.S. Census Bureau to explain why it does not plan to ask 2020 federal census questions that would provide valuable gender-identity and sexual-orientation demographic data.
“As members of Congress work to improve the lives of their constituents, it’s critical that we have the most accurate data available about our country’s makeup,” said MacArthur. “Unfortunately, we still don’t have any official data on the size of the American LGBT community. I urge the Census Bureau to include this data in their next census so that Representatives will have a better understanding of how laws and programs will impact LGBT Americans.”
Several members of both parties joined in MacArthur’s request, including Reps. Carlos Curbelo (R-FL), Charlie Dent (R-PA), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), John Katko (R-NY), and MacArthur’s New Jersey colleague, Rep. Donald Norcross, a Democrat.
“It seems almost too obvious that LGBT data should be included in the census,” said Garden State Equality Executive Director Christian Fuscarino. “Our community is heavily affected by the policies and programs that go through Congress, and it is unethical for these decisions to be made without knowing the size of sexual orientation and gender identity related demographics. In short, we don’t count unless we are counted.”
“We encourage this push for LGBT inclusion and commend Congressman MacArthur and his fellow representatives for helping to create a more equal nation,” Fuscarino added.