Although the State of Illinois does not legally recognize same-sex marriage, the Chicago Tribune reports that this year's federal census will allow gay and lesbian couples in otherwise committed relationships to be counted. Illinois allows same-sex couples to register as domestic partners.
The article profiles North Side women, Ellen Meyers and Elena Yatzeck, who simply changed the pronouns in a traditional Christian prayer book for a 2008 commitment ceremony attended by more than 200 friends and family members.
Although any Illinois family lawyer will say it did nothing to change their legal status, the women claim the ritual "changed how they perceived us" (referring to those who attended the festivities).
Now the federal government finally will perceive them as more than just roommates.
This year's US census, which is held every 10 years, will allow same-sex couples to choose either "husband or wife" or "unmarried partners." Demographers and national gay rights group had pressured the Obama administration to make the change:
...the Obama administration quietly reversed federal policy this summer to allow the Census Bureau to publish tabulations that tell us how many same-sex couples consider themselves husbands or wives.
Before the changes, same-sex couples who checked the box for "husband or wife" were coded as "unmarried partners" in line with a Clinton-era policy maintained by the Bush administration. Same-sex marriage was not legal in any states at the time of the 2000 US Census.
Same-sex marriage is now legal in Massachusetts, Iowa, Connecticut, Vermont and New Hampshire. New York and Washington, D.C. recognize same-sex marriages that took place from states where it's legal.
Related Resources:
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Domestic Partnership Benefits (FindLaw)
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Domestic Partnership or Civil Union: "Everything but Marriage" Considered by States Like Washington (FindLaw's Common Law Blog)
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