FROM THE CENSUS BUREAU
I received a survey from the Census Bureau this week just because I am on their mailing list. It had the following questions:
- What sex were you assigned at birth, on your original birth certificate?
Male
Female
- Do you currently describe yourself a male, female, or transgender? Select all that apply.
Male
Female
Transgender
I use a different term, please specify: ______________
- Are you of Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin?
Yes
No
- What is your race? Please select one or more.
White
Black or African American
American Indian or Alaska Native
Asian
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander
In your own words, can you tell me more about your ancestry or ethnic origins? ___________________
DISCUSSION
First, they use the acceptable term for sex, “transgender.” Why can’t they use the acceptable term for race, “Multiracial”? Not all states require the use of race and ethnicity on birth certificate forms. This format does not follow OMB Directive 15 for race and ethnicity questions. Why not? Yes, they use an open question about race and ethnic origins, but they still refuse to use “Multiracial.” What happens to the numbers when they are aggregated? Please feel free to give us your thoughts on this. Thank you. -Susan Graham