Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live Saturday

Census Date Shows Increase in Same-Sex Couples

Aired June 23, 2001 - 17:19   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
STEPHEN FRAZIER, CNN ANCHOR: We're getting more figures out from the Census Bureau this weekend, new figures from 10 states show huge increases in gay and lesbian households, same-sex couples living together. CNN's Kathleen Koch takes a look at the numbers and what is behind them.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Tony Varona and John Gill have been living together for nearly six years. They, like thousands of others, were comfortable identifying themselves on the 2000 census form as a same-sex couple.

JOHN GILL: You know, with things like the census, it becomes clear. We're everywhere. And you know, we're your friends, we're your neighbors, we're your family. And as people come to see that and accept that, you know, things are only going to change for the better.

KOCH: Other couples in their Washington, D.C. neighborhood agreed.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You can't get anything done if you don't get accurate information. And I think this is a way to at least start that. Before that, we were never even recognized.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We are glad that there was something that we could check, other than single, because we're not.

KOCH: It is the second time the Census Bureau has offered partners the option to designate themselves as a same-sex household. And there have been huge increases in the 10 states and the District of Columbia, for which results are now available. Nevada and Delaware, up more than 700 percent. Nebraska, Louisiana, Indiana and Vermont, up more than 400 percent. Montana, Illinois, Connecticut, Massachusetts, up more than 200 percent.

MARC ROGERS, INSTITUTE FOR GAY & LESBIAN STRATEGIC STUDIES: The numbers have increased probably mostly because people have responded in greater numbers, not -- and most researchers believe because there are more gay and lesbian who are same-sex unmarried couples living together.

KOCH: Experts credit this greater response in part to the fact that public perception of homosexuality has improved. DAVID SMITH, COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR, HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN: The 1990s saw a sharp uptick in terms of public support for gay and lesbian equality. And I think that has contributed to more people feeling comfortable with coming forward in a federal survey.

KOCH: Varona believes the new numbers can give homosexuals new political clout.

TONY VARONA: Given that the census data is used by many lawmakers to make public policy, at the same time though, it raised a lot of questions about why it is that we still can't get married and why we can't get treated like any straight married couple.

KOCH: No easy answers for a population most believe is still undercounted.

Kathleen Koch, for CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com