Same-sex couple households up 76% since 2000
from Globe Gazette.
The number of same-sex households in Iowa grew 76 percent between 2000 and 2010, according to new government data.
The 6,540 same-sex households still are a small fraction of the 1.2 million total, but advocates for gay and lesbian couples say the increased visibility will boost acceptance among Iowans for same-sex marriage.
“As they see couples together, as they see them in a loving, committed relationship, that’s how the debate gets changed,” said Troy Price, executive director of One Iowa, the state’s largest advocacy group for gays and lesbians.
The number is up from 3,698 in 2000, according to U.S. Census Bureau data, which is being released today.
The government also said there are 1,686 children under the age of 18 living in households headed by people in a same-sex relationship.
Iowa is one of six states that issue same-sex marriage licenses. In 2009, the state Supreme Court unanimously overturned the state’s ban on gay marriage, and since then hundreds of couples have exchanged vows across the state.
