Can one girl in a small town, an architect in a major city, and a suburban high school coach shape the future of the United States? Yes, they can.

Because every ten years, the census gives us that power. You can shape your future by responding to the 2020 Census.

The census data is then used to inform the amount of federal funds communities receive to support vital services for you and your community. An accurate count can mean improvements to hospitals, fire departments, schools, and roads.

An undercount can mean less federal aid to improve our communities. The results of the census also determine the number of seats each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives, and they are used to draw congressional and state legislative districts.

Although the Census doesn’t explicitly ask about our sexual orientation and gender identity, it is still critical for us to be counted on the 2020 Census. Over-counting privileged people and under-counting marginalized people reinforce systems of power and oppression in this country.

In Texas, we have just under a 60% response rate. That is one of the lowest response rates to the census in decades.

But it is easy to be counted. It’s so easy, that some of our favorite Texas drag stars Barbara Coa and Angelina DM Trailz want to show you how, while having a cocktail or mocktail to make it even more fun.

You can complete your questionnaire online (on a computer, smartphone, or tablet), by phone, or by mail.

To help you answer the census, the U.S. Census Bureau provides translated web pages and guides in 59 non-English languages, including American Sign Language, as well as guides in braille and large print.

Don’t delay! Help us Queer the Census this year.