Question of the Week 5/30/06

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-23-2006
Question of the Week 5/30/06
48
Tue, 05-30-2006 - 7:32am

Hey there!

 PPCLSIG.jpg picture by CalyD44

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-25-2006
Thu, 06-01-2006 - 1:43pm

They may be identical in the state, but they're not identical to straight marriages in VT. Same with the marriages in Mass. While gay couples can be married, they still do not inherit social security, nor can they file joint taxes, etc. If as straight couple gets married in VT, then moves, their marriage is recognised. If a straight couple gets married in Mass., and moves to another state, their marriage is not valid in the other state.

It's great to have some protections, but it's not identical to marriage in every way. I expect that it will be, eventually, but for now, it's seperate, and not equal.

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-25-2006
Thu, 06-01-2006 - 1:47pm
That's true, the courts aren't very sympathetic right now.
I think though, that the tide is turning, and in order appease the American people, that equal marriage rights will be extended to gay couples in the next decade. More and more people are supporting it, and fewer and fewer people are supporting Georgieboy.
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-16-2003
Thu, 06-01-2006 - 4:51pm
In reaction to the "activist judges" in MA, states like Virginia are legislating state constitutional amendments banning same-sex marriages AND civil unions.

Kim
Check out my

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-23-2006
Thu, 06-01-2006 - 7:27pm
Hmmmm I was under the impression that they could file joint taxes in VT. I remember a box for civil union on the form... I thought....

 PPCLSIG.jpg picture by CalyD44

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-23-2006
Thu, 06-01-2006 - 7:30pm

OUCH KIM!


I agree that the backlash of states hurrying to enact laws to give us no rights at all is really scary.

 PPCLSIG.jpg picture by CalyD44

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-25-2006
Fri, 06-02-2006 - 10:15am

you can file jointly on the state taxes, but not federal.
In MA, some couples were having problems because their state law says that you need to file the same way for both state and federal taxes, but since gay marriage isn't recognised on a federal level, that meant filing joint on state and single on federal violated state law.

I think that's one of the issues that comes up when we do the seperate but equal thing...it just doesn't work across the board, there are too many areas where it just breaks down.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Fri, 06-02-2006 - 10:27am

I wonder how we can transplant some of our activist judges to VA….Wonder if Karl R will think of something to that end.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Fri, 06-02-2006 - 10:49am
All you said is true but I'm still counting my blessings...at least we have 1 state with gay marriage, for now...and multiple states considering civil unions. It wasn't long when that wasn't even considered. Like you said in other posts...they'll come around. :-)
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Fri, 06-02-2006 - 10:53am

I think you’re more positive and I’m a more of a pessimist in regards to timing. I don’t see the poles giving G.W high marks but I do think majority of American, right now, don’t give a hoot about gay rights. Sure, there’s lips services and public announcements by anyone that have a camera pointed in their face for political correctness, but when it come to actually passing laws, no one’s running to the floor to vote. If the members of Congress suppose to reflects their states…let just say I’m still a pessimist.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Fri, 06-02-2006 - 10:55am
I don't know about VT but in MA, we do have the right to file a Joint return and get state tax credits and deductions as any married couples. Stay tune for the Fed returns. Just don't hold your breath.