Census entry

[joanne51]

We are very much a section of the community that is unknown to most people.
If we could be a 'tick-box' in the census then we would pop up on the radar.
Then people would discover that we are more numerous than they thought.
We are more than just a novelty in TV soaps.

[nvlady]

Some of us would have to make sure our SO's filled out the form first and then passed it on to us for review.

[Lorileah]

Consider that more than half here are in the closet, that wouldn't work well :)

[Pat]

We already have found out we're more numerous than thought -- just this year the estimate rose from 0.3% of the general population to 0.6%. :) It would be interesting to have a spot on the census, but as I'm sure you've read they're not planning anything for the upcoming one. Maybe the one after if they can figure out what to ask. There's so much chaos around terms that you can't just ask "are you transgender?" -- that might give a lower boundary but it would not give a useful number. There has to be a round of education before the question can be asked.

[gina shiney]

As per Lorileah
though the Australian census is due later this year and Has such identity available (ashamed)I must admit our form will be filled by our genetic designation (SO and I discussed this issue earlier) As I am now identifying as a crossdresser male only to my SO and therapist only and of course to all of you(incognito)
How to get the actual numbers of people to accurately recognize that they belong in this category to be counted and that it is in their interest to do so is well beyond my thought process. With wiki nothing is safe
Gina

[mykell]

an old thread :

http://www.crossdressers.com/forums/showthread.php?238834-looking-to-add-us-trans-to-the-census&highlight=census

it includes talk of an online one that was done, still have not seen any info about it,

and there is what lorileah points out.....and how about all the folks on soo many other digital social outlets, photo sites, youtube, facebook, to name a few,

i think if we all fessed up the number would shock the world...were such a secretive section of society. i think just a checkbox "other" would speak volumes....

[Krisi]

Crossdressing would not be something that would be of interest on a census.

[Rhian]

My Dad fills out our form so I wouldn't be classified as a crossdresser if this method was eve used. I think many others are in a similar situation.

[Jenny22]

Hi, Jennie.
I, and possibly others, would like to read the source info you mention .."just this year the estimate rose from 0.3% of the general population to 0.6%." Please share.
Thanks! Jenny22

[Lorileah]

http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2016/05/laverne-cox-LGBT-transgender-demographic-data-census





Update (6/30/2016): A new analysis of state and federal data suggests the number of transgender American adults is twice as big as previously estimated. According to reports released today by the Williams Institute at UCLA, an estimated 1.4 million adults, or 0.6 percent of the total population, do not identify with the gender they were assigned at birth.

[Teresa]

Joanne,
I posted a while ago about the proposals for the 2021 UK census, they wish to have more information to help and offer the TG community better facilities . As I said it poses a dilemma for me because I'm listed officially through my counselling so I will have to tick the correct boxes but I don't think my wife will be too happy. It will be a legal requirement not to make a false statement , I don't have a problem with being truthful if it does provide the help and funding for us .

Sorry Krisi but you're wrong again, many countries are taking it seriously with the intention of helping the entire community, the UK isn't the first to do so.

Lorileah,
The aim is to find more information about the TS community, CDers may not be included but I know I will be because I've had gender counselling through the NHS, all information isn't confidential these days especially between government departments, I would sooner tick a few boxes correctly than be taken to court for false declaration .

Rhian,
It may be worth checking, if you're on the census as an adult it will be your responsibility to ensure your details are correct. Besides in the future you may need the services they are trying to improve .

[NancySue]

With a background of statistics, I don't believe we'll ever have accurate data of how many of us there are, mostly because of social pressures of non-acceptability and lack of honesty for fear of discovery by friends, wives, SO, etc. My sense is there's a lot more of us out there then ever..many more than 6%. There are so many categories of us. To me, the minute you put on one or more article of female clothing, you are in our arena. I believe the primary reason for not answering a census honestly include: 1. Wife or SO doesn't know, 2. Partial acceptance, DADT, 3. Social and employment consequences, 4. Those completely in the closet. I'm sure there are others. There are those of us that have reached the totally dressed stage, but I think the vast majority are partial and underneath dressers. If you haven't told anyone, you sure wouldn't answer "yes" on a census. My guess is that 70 to 80% of all males, have, at some time in their life have worn something feminine. Some dressing may be curiosity, but for many of us, it sticks and progresses. 😊👗💄💋👡👠👙. Just my thoughts.

[Judy-Somthing]

I'd like to think the numbers of CD'ers is higher. So I can feel better about myself.

Since January I've gone shopping for dresses about 135 times, I've only seen three man looking at dresses.

[nikkiwindsor]

I'm pretty confident that the number of transgender woman (across the entire spectrum) is higher than many of us think. As for me, I don't care how common it is. I'm proud of my unique and complex nature. And as difficult as it is living in a world that doesn't embrace us unconditionally I wouldn't choose to give it up even if I was granted a wish to do so. It is my very identity...it is who I am.

[Dana44]

I think that the numbers of transgender is far more than we think. Here in the south, there are a lot of us and many young are growing the list far bigger than we think.

[MelanieAnne]

Be careful what you ask for. If they acknowledge our existence, then they would regulate and tax us.

[joanne51]

I must admit I've done a lot of online shopping lately. Which means I spend less time in shops.
On reflection, and thanks Judy, I need to soak up the experience again of looking for garments in the flesh.
Getting noticed more in that environment is key to being accepted.
Census entries will only help to reinforce the message that we are just another part of society.
What people may find difficult to grasp is why we CD.

[Teresa]

Joanne,
For whatever reason they do want to know .

A recent press article commented on clinics now having two or three times the number of Tgs/ TSs from just over year ago , they need to get resources in place to accommodate the increase. Another side is finding out how many are in same sex relationships .

We will have a much better chance of being accepted and understood if the government have made an effort to improve facilities for the TG community.

The answer to why we CD and many other answers will be more in the public eye in the next few years, changes are happening but we do need to get out the closet and show ourselves for what we are .

[Julie Gaum]

The above responses illustrate why a census box checklist is not practical. For example, Lorileah quotes a "statistic" that 1.4 million adults do not identify with the gender assigned to them. I dare say that the majority of crossdressers - all under the TG umbrella - identify as males, and in most cases live a good part of their lives dressed in drab for reasons that they accept - and yet they are fellow CDs. Myself, along with so many others, have worked most of their lives "underdressed" to some degree. If circumstances permit along the journey of life we may be able to indulge our inclinations either remaining in the closet or being out and about. Based on my blogs gathered from literally thousands of others (See "Blogs" at www.neverclimbedhismountain.com) the TG population includes perhaps 20% that are either BI or Gay. In addition a small percent transition partially or fully. So, what conclusion does one make as to which box is right for you? In 2002 I was assigned to take census in a native-American reservation. I found that more than half refused to answer other than name and address because the Constitution does not require it - they were fearful of the intentions of our government - just an aside.
Are we having fun yet?
Julie

[CherylFlint]

No way.
As if life isn’t complicated enough.
To trust the government to keep information safe is not a rational thought.

[gina shiney]

Update
After being in test census late last year, the real one was botched last week with online access failing a couple of hours after officially starting.
Also not all questions were the same as test. NO option to gender which was and should have been included. A missed opportunity for those who make laws to understand that the spectrum of the population isn't constrained by the traditional male/female genders. For a snapshot of the population (which is what it is promoted to be) this census has failed . Our census is supposed to help identify where and what services are to be required in the future, not just earnings, wealth, job description and number of people who reside at a particular residence. I sincerely hope other countries are more focused in the opportunities that census can offer in the social understanding and planning.

[Teresa]

Gina,
Thanks for updating the Australian situation, I hope the UK doesn't do the same thing , it would be a great step forward if they get it right .