Legally, the federal government, Kansas, Missouri and 43 other states do not recognize same-sex marriages — the union of two men or two women.

But one curious aspect of the 2010 U.S. Census?

It does — whether gay marriage is legal or not.

In fact, representatives of the U.S. Census Bureau are so interested in counting same-sex unions or partnerships that on Tuesday they traveled throughout Kansas City, as they have been throughout the nation, trying to assure lesbian, gay and bisexual individuals that not only is it safe to check the "married" box in states where same-sex marriage is not recognized, it's encouraged.

Another part of their message: If you're transgender — born genetically male but having changed to female, or vice versa — feel free to check the gender box you prefer.

Read the complete story at kansascity.com