GAY
AND LESBIAN FAMILIES
Fast Facts
What the Bible Really
Says About Marriage | CBO
Marriage Report | What Marriage Means
Gay and Lesbian families in most states face additional hurdles to equality under the law, especially where financial and legal security is concerned.
In 2004, the Congressional Budget Office provided an analysis of the potential budgetary effects of recognizing same-sex marriages. The CBO report not only concluded that on balance, recognition of same-sex marriages would have a small impact on revenues. CBO estimates that revenues would increase by 500 to 700 million from 2011 through 2014. However, CBO also cited that the General Accounting Office has determined there are 1,138 statutory provisions in which marital status is a factor in determining or receiving rights, benefits, and privileges.
Why DOMA is a Problem
The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) means that only heterosexual marriages are recognized federally. This means that if you live in a state that recognizes same-sex marriage, you are not permitted, for example, to file jointly on your federal income tax returns and pool deductions. In addition to income tax returns, same-sex couples are denied numerous protections and rights, including:
- The right to take time off from work through the Family and Medical Leave Act in order to take care of a seriously ill spouse;
- Social Security benefits for spouses and survivors;
- The right to leave assets to your spouse without a tax penalty;
- Retirement and death benefits for spouses of federal employees;
- Sponsorship of a non-resident spouse for immigration;
- Disability, dependency or death benefits for spouses of veterans and public safety officers
Read more information at Gay and Lesbian Advocates and
Defenders.
For more information on what marriage means for yourself, your family, and your economy, please visit
What Marriage Means.
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