How Soon-to-be Married Rhode Island Gays will Benefit from Supreme Court Rulings (2013)

[AlfieBoy]

The Supreme Court's striking down of the Defense of Marriage Act makes gay marriage more than a symbolic guesture -- it translates into tangible equality in the pocketbook, too:

Originally Posted by NY Times

Now that the Supreme Court has struck down the Defense of Marriage Act, some of these issues will be wiped away. The ruling makes clear that married gay couples living in states that recognize their unions will immediately gain access to more than 1,000 federal benefits, like Social Security and family leave rights. Less certain is how couples living in the remaining 38 states will fare.

Married couples living in states where gay marriage is legal will be able to file joint federal returns. That should save some couples money, especially when one person earns much less or does not work at all.

Health Insurance Taxes. Unlike opposite-sex couples, same-sex couples had to pay federal taxes on the value of a partner’s health insurance coverage because the federal government did not recognize their unions. In addition, employees have not been allowed to pay for their partner’s coverage with pretax dollars. Now, a same-sex spouse will be treated as any other spouse and will not be subject to those extra taxes, which can amount to thousands of dollars each year.

It's not only great to live in a state that values human equality, it pays, too!

[pennyone]

I read from bigots who previously admonish gays for their "deviant behavior", their "unwillingness to embrace the grounding power of matrimony" and their "relentless drive to seek new partners". But when gays want to settle down, start stable families with lifelong partners in the matrimonial institution of marriage, they are denied that right/opportunity by the same bigots. Go figure.

[GermanSpy]

CPAs statewide rejoice. Oh, and probate lawyers too, of course. Muhaha.

[AlfieBoy]

Originally Posted by GermanSpy

CPAs statewide rejoice. Oh, and probate lawyers too, of course. Muhaha.

And, inevitably, divorce lawyers! It's a whole new, uncharted world, babe!

[minibrings]

I'm all for gay marriage, as long as the also get to enjoy divorce, if things don't work out.

[Rnrboy]

No. If gays get married they are prohibited from divorcing each other, which makes their collective matrimony far holier than us mere heteros'.

[treasurekidd]

I'm all for gay marriage, as long as the also get to enjoy divorce, if things don't work out.

You know why a divorce is so expensive, right? Because it's worth it!