Census officials are urging gay and lesbian couples to count their unions as a marriage – even those not legally married.

It's the first time the Census Bureau is encouraging gay couples to ditch checking the “unmarried partner” box in favor of “husband” or “wife” if they consider themselves married.

Gay couples can marry in only five states – Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Vermont and Iowa – and the District of Columbia. Maine was the first state to legislatively legalize gay marriage, but voters repealed the law before it took effect.

Census officials were joined Monday by openly lesbian New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, and Star Trek star George Takei and his husband Brad Altman at the LGBT Center in New York City.

At the press event, officials also unveiled a series of official public service announcements geared to the LGBT community.