2010 Census may include same-sex data

WASHINGTON, June 19 (UPI) -- The White House says it would like the 2010 Census to feature information about same-sex marriages, partnerships and unions in the United States.

The Wall Street Journal said Friday the Census Bureau has been asked by U.S. President Barack Obama's administration to determine what tabulation software changes would be necessary to include same-sex information in the upcoming nationwide census.

The White House's call for same-sex demographic data in the 2010 Census comes the same week of a directive from Obama that allows same-sex partners of federal employees to receive benefits.

The directive also protects federal employees from discrimination because of sexual orientation, the Journal said.

White House spokesman Ben LaBolt said such efforts show "the administration continues to make progress on the president's longstanding commitment to promote equality for (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) Americans."

The Journal said previous attempts to include same-sex couples in Census data included tabbing same-sex spouses as unmarried partners and altering the gender of one member of a same-sex couple.