Countdown to L-G-B-T

Apparently, tonight's is the first LGBT Town Hall ever, and our participation in this will determine the efforts expended by the U.S. Census folks on our behalf. Here's the deets from Equality Texas:
Austin Town Hall
Tonight! Tue., Feb. 9, 7pm
Mexican-American Cultural Center Auditorium
600 River Street, Austin, TX 78701

From the press release:

Your participation in the 2010 Census is critically important!

That's why Equality Texas and the U.S. Census are hosting the first LGBT Town Hall in the country!

Come learn about important changes made by the U.S. Census Bureau that will affect how lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are counted.

The Census Bureau recently announced a policy change. When gay and lesbian couples indicate they are married on the 2010 form, the Census will count them as married. This makes the Census the first Federal agency to recognize marriage of gay and lesbian couples. [our emphasis]

While the Census does not ask anyone for their sexual orientation, it is important to note that knowing which "boxes" to check on the Census form will directly affect the counting of LGBT households.

Austin Town Hall
Tuesday, February 9th, 2010, 7pm
Mexican-American Cultural Center Auditorium
600 River Street, Austin, TX 78701

U.S. Census Bureau Representatives include: Gabriel A. Sanchez, Regional Director, Dallas Che Ruddell-Tabisola, National LGBT Partnerships Elizabeth Lopez Lyon, LGBT Communities & Governmental Partnership Specialist Paula Wright, Partnership Information Specialist

The Austin Town Hall is critical to further LGBT Outreach in Texas for the 2010 Census. Attendance in Austin will determine the level of LGBT Outreach by the U.S. Census in other areas of the state, including North Texas, Houston/Galveston, San Antonio, El Paso and the Rio Grande Valley.

Please join us for the Austin Town Hall and demonstrate that LGBT Texans want to be counted!

Presented by Equality Texas, official partner of the 2010 Census.