June 23, 2009, Washington, DC -- The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) today applauded the US Census Bureau for its decision to count same sex couples in the 2010 census. NCJW President Nancy Ratzan released the following statement:

"Last year NCJW joined the campaign to urge the Census Bureau to count same-sex couples as such in the 2010 census. The Bureau had declared that it would not report the number of same-sex couples who identified themselves as married, and that data collected from these couples would be altered to instead list their status as 'unmarried partners.'

"NCJW said then that the Bureau's decision was a blatant politicization of the census and threatened the accuracy of this important exercise. The census results not only determine apportionment for voting purposes, but are key to the provision of a wide variety of social programs and federal spending. So we are very pleased that last week the Bureau reversed course and vowed to make the necessary changes to data collection to accurately record the existence of same-sex marriages. Acknowledging individuals for who they are and how they classify themselves is basic to human dignity and civil rights. We are gratified that our government has taken one more essential step toward treating each of us with the basic rights we all deserve."

The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) is a grassroots organization of volunteers and advocates who turn progressive ideals into action. Inspired by Jewish values, NCJW strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children, and families and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms.