The Palm Beach County Human Rights Council is working with the Palm Beach County Multicultural Committee and Complete Count Committee to encourage LGBTQ people to complete the 2020 Census.
The Census is our once-in-a-decade opportunity for government, researchers, and advocates to gather national data on the U.S. population and allocate resources accordingly. The results determine the number of congressional seats assigned to each state and how billion of dollars in federal funds are alocated to state and local governments.
"Florida is the third largest state in the United States, and Palm Beach County is the third largest county in the State of Florida," said PBCHRC Board Member Tamara Sager, who is spearheading PBCHRC's efforts to ensure a complete count of the county's LGBTQ and allied residents. "It is imperative that we account for every person in every household within Palm Beach County."
To participate in
the 2020 Census,
click here.
Currently, the population of Palm Beach County is approximately 1.5 million people. This equates to $2.4 billion a year or $24 billion over 10 years for education, health care, housing, transportation, infrastructure and other programs and services funded by the federal government.
Counting LGBTQ People in the U.S.
Nationwide polling data over the years suggests that approximately 4 percent of people living in the U.S. identify as LGBTQ -- or approximately 10 million Americans.
The U.S. Census has never included questions about sexual orientation or gender identity -- and despite our best efforts, the 2020 census is no different. Therefore, even after 2020 census reports are issued in the upcoming years, there will still be no accurate count of LGBTQ people residing in our country. However, when examining housholds, the 2020 Census allows lesbian and gay couples to self-identify. One (very) small step forward for our community.
While we still await questions about sexual orientation and gender identity to be added to the census, this is a crucial opportunity for LGBTQ households to be counted. That will bring us one step closer to understanding and identifying our community members in Palm Beach County, Florida, and throughout the United States.
Responding to the Census Remains Important.
Hopefully, by now you have participate in the Census. However, if you did not, please now.
It only takes a few minutes to participate in the 2020 Census
and
PBCHRC encourages you to do so.
We all have plenty of free time thse days.
Please share this information with your family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers.
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