Census wants to know how to ask about sexuality and gender

ORLANDO, Fla. — The 2020 census questionnaire drove Scout crazy. With no direct questions about sexual orientation and gender identity, it made him feel left out of the U.S. head count.

Among LGBTQ people, the census only asked about same-sex couples living together, and Scout didn't live with his partner. So to compensate, he hounded his gay, cohabiting neighbors in Providence, Rhode Island to respond and provide at least some visibility for the community.

"I was stalking them to fill out the census form because mine didn't make a difference," said Scout, a transgender man who uses one name. "There's no question I'm absolutely made invisible by the census."