FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 19, 2009
WASHINGTON - The International Foundation for Gender Education welcomes the new White House directive to release same-sex marriage data from the upcoming census. The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) had been used to justify withholding federal statistics about same-sex marriages for the last decade. The new directive would put an end to this practice.

"Transgender People have had their lives and identities discounted for far too long. Having legitimate marriages erased by bureaucrats is intolerable," said Denise Leclair, executive director of IFGE. "Reversing this offensive policy is a major step forward for the entire LGBT community. We thank the administration for addressing this injustice."

Thousands of heterosexual marriages have become what are effectively same-sex marriages when one partner transitions to the other sex. Although these marriages are legal, rules enacted to prevent gay and lesbian marriages have frequently been used against them as well.
-
The International Foundation for Gender Education promotes acceptance for transgender people everywhere through education. Founded in 1978, IFGE is the largest transgender advocacy organization with members worldwide. Providing educational outreach for the emancipation of all gender variant people from restrictive gender norms, IFGE is a non-profit educational corporation with offices in Waltham, MA and Washington, DC and is recognized by the I.R.S. as a 501c(3) charitable organization .

MEDIA CONTACT:
Stephanie Battaglino
201.704.2996 NY | 202.207.8364 DC
media@ifge.org
Communications Director
International Foundation for Gender Education


IFGE | 272 Carrol St NW | Washington DC | 20012 | 202-207-8364
- 30 -