Imagine being in a loving relationship for over 30 years, then having the government claim your home and belongings after your partner’s death because it does not recognize your relationship as valid. Consider what it might be like to be denied visitation privileges at the hospital when your partner has fallen ill or be forced to testify against your partner in the court of law because you don’t have the same spousal testimony rights as heterosexual couples. Many committed same-sex couples and their families don’t have to wonder because this is their reality.

What is marriage? For some, marriage is a covenant of love. For others, it is a social union or legal arrangement. It’s often a combination of the two. Regardless of your personal beliefs, marriage becomes a social justice issue because the civil contract extends over 1,000 federal benefits to married couples from which lesbian and gay couples are currently excluded. Some of the state rights, protections and responsibilities of marriage include:

• automatic inheritance
• child custody/parenting/adoption rights
• hospital visitation
• medical decision-making power
• standing to sue for wrongful death of a spouse
• divorce protections
• spousal/child support
• access to family insurance policies
• exemption from property tax upon death of a spouse
• immunity from being forced to testify against one’s spouse
• domestic violence protections, and more

While some states recognize same-sex marriages, Section 3 of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) still excludes married gay couples from the following federal protections, rights and responsibilities:

• Social Security benefits
• the Family and Medical Leave Act
• health insurance and continuation of health coverage (COBRA)
• immigration law
• Medicaid
• retirement plans
• federal tax laws, and more (Source: GLAAD)

It is not the government’s responsibility to protect the “sanctity” marriage (separation of church and state). The government’s responsibility is to ensure fair and equal protection under the law. Marriage matters. In law, in love, in life.*

*Sign the “Say, ‘I Do’ Mr President” Petition!

Category: Feature