A Question Regarding Religion in America

[Sky Dancer]

Just because a bunch of perverts want to call homo marriage a civil rights issue.

Doesn't mean that it is a civil rights issue.

NAMBLA says their sick agenda is a civil rights issue also.

boring

It may be boring, but it is also true

So what? It has nothing to do with marriage equality. Does not matter, we've been over this tired ground a hundred times.

Your view is all gays and lesbians are perverted. And your view is all pedophiles are gay. BLAH BLAH BLAH

 

[Sky Dancer]

Just because a bunch of perverts want to call homo marriage a civil rights issue.

Doesn't mean that it is a civil rights issue.

NAMBLA says their sick agenda is a civil rights issue also.

boring

Is that the entirely of your argument? Assert Gay "marriage" is a civil right and then ignore requests to prove your point?

Show me what relevance there is in inserting NAMBLA into marriage equallity law arguments.

 

[Sunni Man]

boring

It may be boring, but it is also true

Does not matter, we've been over this tired ground a hundred times.

Yet you still keep pushing the sodimite agenda that homo marriage is a civil rights issue, when clearly it is not and never has been.

 

[Avatar4321]

Show me what relevance there is in inserting NAMBLA into marriage equallity law arguments.

To get you to prove your assertion that its a civil rights issue. Obviously we agree that NAMBLA's agenda isnt a civil rights issue. And that's exactly the point! Simply asserting that its a civil rights issue doesnt make it so.

 

[Sky Dancer]

I don't have to prove its a civil rights issue. It is one. Check out how many rights married people have.

There are benefits either through the government or through business (your insurance, say) are connected to married relationships. So if you're in a relationship, either a single-sex relationship or a heterosexual relationship, and you're not married, there are a number of things that you are excluded from or that you don't have access to because of the way the system has been structured which very much privileges marriage.

General Accounting Office (as the GAO was then called) identified 1,049 federal statutory provisions in which benefits, rights, and privileges are contingent on marital status or in which marital status is a factor.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rights_and_responsibilities_of_marriages_in_the_United_States

 

[Sunni Man]

I don't have to prove its a civil rights issue. It is one.

So we must take your word for it?

Funny how the people of California didn't think so

 

[Sky Dancer]

I don't have to prove its a civil rights issue. It is one.

So we must take your word for it?

Funny how the people of California didn't think so

Right to many of ex- or late spouse's benefits, including:
Social Security pension
veteran's pensions, indemnity compensation for service-connected deaths, medical care, and nursing home care, right to burial in veterans' cemeteries, educational assistance, and housing
survivor benefits for federal employees
survivor benefits for spouses of longshoremen, harbor workers, railroad workers
additional benefits to spouses of coal miners who die of black lung disease
$100,000 to spouse of any public safety officer killed in the line of duty
continuation of employer-sponsored health benefits
renewal and termination rights to spouse's copyrights on death of spouse
continued water rights of spouse in some circumstances
payment of wages and workers compensation benefits after worker death
making, revoking, and objecting to post-mortem anatomical gifts
Right to benefits while married:
employment assistance and transitional services for spouses of members being separated from military service; continued commissary privileges
per diem payment to spouse for federal civil service employees when relocating
Indian Health Service care for spouses of Native Americans (in some circumstances)
sponsor husband/wife for immigration benefits
Larger benefits under some programs if married, including:
veteran's disability
Supplemental Security Income
disability payments for federal employees
medicaid
property tax exemption for homes of totally disabled veterans
income tax deductions, credits, rates exemption, and estimates
wages of an employee working for one's spouse are exempt from federal unemployment tax[3]
Joint and family-related rights:
joint filing of bankruptcy permitted
joint parenting rights, such as access to children's school records
family visitation rights for the spouse and non-biological children, such as to visit a spouse in a hospital or prison
next-of-kin status for emergency medical decisions or filing wrongful death claims
custodial rights to children, shared property, child support, and alimony after divorce
domestic violence intervention
access to "family only" services, such as reduced rate memberships to clubs & organizations or residency in certain neighborhoods
Preferential hiring for spouses of veterans in government jobs
Tax-free transfer of property between spouses (including on death) and exemption from "due-on-sale" clauses.
Special consideration to spouses of citizens and resident aliens
Spouse's flower sales count towards meeting the eligibility for Fresh Cut Flowers and Fresh Cut Greens Promotion and Information Act
Threats against spouses of various federal employees is a federal crime
Right to continue living on land purchased from spouse by National Park Service when easement granted to spouse
Court notice of probate proceedings
Domestic violence protection orders
Existing homestead lease continuation of rights
Regulation of condominium sales to owner-occupants exemption
Funeral and bereavement leave
Joint adoption and foster care
Joint tax filing
Insurance licenses, coverage, eligibility, and benefits organization of mutual benefits society
Legal status with stepchildren
Making spousal medical decisions
Spousal non-resident tuition deferential waiver
Permission to make funeral arrangements for a deceased spouse, including burial or cremation
Right of survivorship of custodial trust
Right to change surname upon marriage
Right to enter into prenuptial agreement
Right to inheritance of property
Spousal privilege in court cases (the marital confidences privilege and the spousal testimonial privilege)

[edit] Responsibilities
Spousal income and assets are counted in determining need in many forms of government assistance, including:
veteran's medical and home care benefits
housing assistance
housing loans for veterans
child's education loans
educational loan repayment schedule
agricultural price supports and loans
eligibility for federal matching campaign funds
Ineligible for National Affordable Housing program if spouse ever purchased a home:
Subject to conflict-of-interest rules for many government and government-related jobs
Ineligible to receive various survivor benefits upon remarriage

[edit] Ambiguous
There are some laws that either benefit or penalize married couples over single people, depending upon their own circumstances:

Marriage penalty/bonus
Someone cannot change beneficiaries in a retirement plan or from waiving the joint and survivor annuity form of retirement benefit, without the written consent of his or her spouse
Wages can be garnished at a maximum of 60% (instead of the normal 25% limit) if the garnishing is for alimony or child support

[edit] States
In addition, community-property states frequently have forms of ownership that allow a full basis step-up on one's own share of community property on the death of a spouse (in addition to the normal step-up on spouse's assets).


[edit] Legal remedies enacted following the GAO report
Following the 2004 GAO report at least one bill, the Uniting American Families Act, has been proposed to attempt to remedy some of the differences in rights between same-sex partnerships and marriages.


[edit] References
^ http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d04353r.pdf 2004 updated report of the GAO PDF format
^ http://www.gao.gov/archive/1997/og97016.pdf General Accounting Office's 1997 report PDF format
^ "Publication 15: Circular E, Employers Tax Guide" (PDF). Internal Revenue Service. 10. http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p15.pdf.

[edit] Further reading
Tax Administration: Income Tax Treatment of Married and Single Individuals. GAO/GGD-96-175, September 3, 1996.

 

[Sunni Man]

I don't have to prove its a civil rights issue. It is one.

So we must take your word for it?

Funny how the people of California didn't think so

Right to many of ex- or late spouse's benefits, including:
Social Security pension
veteran's pensions, indemnity compensation for service-connected deaths, medical care, and nursing home care, right to burial in veterans' cemeteries, educational assistance, and housing
survivor benefits for federal employees
survivor benefits for spouses of longshoremen, harbor workers, railroad workers
additional benefits to spouses of coal miners who die of black lung disease
$100,000 to spouse of any public safety officer killed in the line of duty
continuation of employer-sponsored health benefits
renewal and termination rights to spouse's copyrights on death of spouse
continued water rights of spouse in some circumstances
payment of wages and workers compensation benefits after worker death
making, revoking, and objecting to post-mortem anatomical gifts
Right to benefits while married:
employment assistance and transitional services for spouses of members being separated from military service; continued commissary privileges
per diem payment to spouse for federal civil service employees when relocating
Indian Health Service care for spouses of Native Americans (in some circumstances)
sponsor husband/wife for immigration benefits
Larger benefits under some programs if married, including:
veteran's disability
Supplemental Security Income
disability payments for federal employees
medicaid
property tax exemption for homes of totally disabled veterans
income tax deductions, credits, rates exemption, and estimates
wages of an employee working for one's spouse are exempt from federal unemployment tax[3]
Joint and family-related rights:
joint filing of bankruptcy permitted
joint parenting rights, such as access to children's school records
family visitation rights for the spouse and non-biological children, such as to visit a spouse in a hospital or prison
next-of-kin status for emergency medical decisions or filing wrongful death claims
custodial rights to children, shared property, child support, and alimony after divorce
domestic violence intervention
access to "family only" services, such as reduced rate memberships to clubs & organizations or residency in certain neighborhoods
Preferential hiring for spouses of veterans in government jobs
Tax-free transfer of property between spouses (including on death) and exemption from "due-on-sale" clauses.
Special consideration to spouses of citizens and resident aliens
Spouse's flower sales count towards meeting the eligibility for Fresh Cut Flowers and Fresh Cut Greens Promotion and Information Act
Threats against spouses of various federal employees is a federal crime
Right to continue living on land purchased from spouse by National Park Service when easement granted to spouse
Court notice of probate proceedings
Domestic violence protection orders
Existing homestead lease continuation of rights
Regulation of condominium sales to owner-occupants exemption
Funeral and bereavement leave
Joint adoption and foster care
Joint tax filing
Insurance licenses, coverage, eligibility, and benefits organization of mutual benefits society
Legal status with stepchildren
Making spousal medical decisions
Spousal non-resident tuition deferential waiver
Permission to make funeral arrangements for a deceased spouse, including burial or cremation
Right of survivorship of custodial trust
Right to change surname upon marriage
Right to enter into prenuptial agreement
Right to inheritance of property
Spousal privilege in court cases (the marital confidences privilege and the spousal testimonial privilege)

[edit] Responsibilities
Spousal income and assets are counted in determining need in many forms of government assistance, including:
veteran's medical and home care benefits
housing assistance
housing loans for veterans
child's education loans
educational loan repayment schedule
agricultural price supports and loans
eligibility for federal matching campaign funds
Ineligible for National Affordable Housing program if spouse ever purchased a home:
Subject to conflict-of-interest rules for many government and government-related jobs
Ineligible to receive various survivor benefits upon remarriage

[edit] Ambiguous
There are some laws that either benefit or penalize married couples over single people, depending upon their own circumstances:

Marriage penalty/bonus
Someone cannot change beneficiaries in a retirement plan or from waiving the joint and survivor annuity form of retirement benefit, without the written consent of his or her spouse
Wages can be garnished at a maximum of 60% (instead of the normal 25% limit) if the garnishing is for alimony or child support

[edit] States
In addition, community-property states frequently have forms of ownership that allow a full basis step-up on one's own share of community property on the death of a spouse (in addition to the normal step-up on spouse's assets).


[edit] Legal remedies enacted following the GAO report
Following the 2004 GAO report at least one bill, the Uniting American Families Act, has been proposed to attempt to remedy some of the differences in rights between same-sex partnerships and marriages.


[edit] References
^ http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d04353r.pdf 2004 updated report of the GAO PDF format
^ http://www.gao.gov/archive/1997/og97016.pdf General Accounting Office's 1997 report PDF format
^ "Publication 15: Circular E, Employers Tax Guide" (PDF). Internal Revenue Service. 10. http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p15.pdf.

[edit] Further reading
Tax Administration: Income Tax Treatment of Married and Single Individuals. GAO/GGD-96-175, September 3, 1996.

NAMBLA is missing many of these so called rights and bebefits.

Why aren't you championing their cause also Sky Dancer?

 

[Sky Dancer]

So we must take your word for it?

Funny how the people of California didn't think so

Right to many of ex- or late spouse's benefits, including:
Social Security pension
veteran's pensions, indemnity compensation for service-connected deaths, medical care, and nursing home care, right to burial in veterans' cemeteries, educational assistance, and housing
survivor benefits for federal employees
survivor benefits for spouses of longshoremen, harbor workers, railroad workers
additional benefits to spouses of coal miners who die of black lung disease
$100,000 to spouse of any public safety officer killed in the line of duty
continuation of employer-sponsored health benefits
renewal and termination rights to spouse's copyrights on death of spouse
continued water rights of spouse in some circumstances
payment of wages and workers compensation benefits after worker death
making, revoking, and objecting to post-mortem anatomical gifts
Right to benefits while married:
employment assistance and transitional services for spouses of members being separated from military service; continued commissary privileges
per diem payment to spouse for federal civil service employees when relocating
Indian Health Service care for spouses of Native Americans (in some circumstances)
sponsor husband/wife for immigration benefits
Larger benefits under some programs if married, including:
veteran's disability
Supplemental Security Income
disability payments for federal employees
medicaid
property tax exemption for homes of totally disabled veterans
income tax deductions, credits, rates exemption, and estimates
wages of an employee working for one's spouse are exempt from federal unemployment tax[3]
Joint and family-related rights:
joint filing of bankruptcy permitted
joint parenting rights, such as access to children's school records
family visitation rights for the spouse and non-biological children, such as to visit a spouse in a hospital or prison
next-of-kin status for emergency medical decisions or filing wrongful death claims
custodial rights to children, shared property, child support, and alimony after divorce
domestic violence intervention
access to "family only" services, such as reduced rate memberships to clubs & organizations or residency in certain neighborhoods
Preferential hiring for spouses of veterans in government jobs
Tax-free transfer of property between spouses (including on death) and exemption from "due-on-sale" clauses.
Special consideration to spouses of citizens and resident aliens
Spouse's flower sales count towards meeting the eligibility for Fresh Cut Flowers and Fresh Cut Greens Promotion and Information Act
Threats against spouses of various federal employees is a federal crime
Right to continue living on land purchased from spouse by National Park Service when easement granted to spouse
Court notice of probate proceedings
Domestic violence protection orders
Existing homestead lease continuation of rights
Regulation of condominium sales to owner-occupants exemption
Funeral and bereavement leave
Joint adoption and foster care
Joint tax filing
Insurance licenses, coverage, eligibility, and benefits organization of mutual benefits society
Legal status with stepchildren
Making spousal medical decisions
Spousal non-resident tuition deferential waiver
Permission to make funeral arrangements for a deceased spouse, including burial or cremation
Right of survivorship of custodial trust
Right to change surname upon marriage
Right to enter into prenuptial agreement
Right to inheritance of property
Spousal privilege in court cases (the marital confidences privilege and the spousal testimonial privilege)

[edit] Responsibilities
Spousal income and assets are counted in determining need in many forms of government assistance, including:
veteran's medical and home care benefits
housing assistance
housing loans for veterans
child's education loans
educational loan repayment schedule
agricultural price supports and loans
eligibility for federal matching campaign funds
Ineligible for National Affordable Housing program if spouse ever purchased a home:
Subject to conflict-of-interest rules for many government and government-related jobs
Ineligible to receive various survivor benefits upon remarriage

[edit] Ambiguous
There are some laws that either benefit or penalize married couples over single people, depending upon their own circumstances:

Marriage penalty/bonus
Someone cannot change beneficiaries in a retirement plan or from waiving the joint and survivor annuity form of retirement benefit, without the written consent of his or her spouse
Wages can be garnished at a maximum of 60% (instead of the normal 25% limit) if the garnishing is for alimony or child support

[edit] States
In addition, community-property states frequently have forms of ownership that allow a full basis step-up on one's own share of community property on the death of a spouse (in addition to the normal step-up on spouse's assets).


[edit] Legal remedies enacted following the GAO report
Following the 2004 GAO report at least one bill, the Uniting American Families Act, has been proposed to attempt to remedy some of the differences in rights between same-sex partnerships and marriages.


[edit] References
^ http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d04353r.pdf 2004 updated report of the GAO PDF format
^ http://www.gao.gov/archive/1997/og97016.pdf General Accounting Office's 1997 report PDF format
^ "Publication 15: Circular E, Employers Tax Guide" (PDF). Internal Revenue Service. 10. http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p15.pdf.

[edit] Further reading
Tax Administration: Income Tax Treatment of Married and Single Individuals. GAO/GGD-96-175, September 3, 1996.

NAMBLA is missing many of these so called rights and bebefits.

Why aren't you championing their cause also Sky Dancer?

You're kiddiing.

 

[AVG-JOE]

I don't have to prove its a civil rights issue. It is one.

So we must take your word for it?

Funny how the people of California didn't think so

Right to many of ex- or late spouse's benefits, including:
Social Security pension
veteran's pensions, indemnity compensation for service-connected deaths, medical care, and nursing home care, right to burial in veterans' cemeteries, educational assistance, and housing
survivor benefits for federal employees
survivor benefits for spouses of longshoremen, harbor workers, railroad workers
additional benefits to spouses of coal miners who die of black lung disease
$100,000 to spouse of any public safety officer killed in the line of duty
continuation of employer-sponsored health benefits
renewal and termination rights to spouse's copyrights on death of spouse
continued water rights of spouse in some circumstances
payment of wages and workers compensation benefits after worker death
making, revoking, and objecting to post-mortem anatomical gifts
Right to benefits while married:
employment assistance and transitional services for spouses of members being separated from military service; continued commissary privileges
per diem payment to spouse for federal civil service employees when relocating
Indian Health Service care for spouses of Native Americans (in some circumstances)
sponsor husband/wife for immigration benefits
Larger benefits under some programs if married, including:
veteran's disability
Supplemental Security Income
disability payments for federal employees
medicaid
property tax exemption for homes of totally disabled veterans
income tax deductions, credits, rates exemption, and estimates
wages of an employee working for one's spouse are exempt from federal unemployment tax[3]
Joint and family-related rights:
joint filing of bankruptcy permitted
joint parenting rights, such as access to children's school records
family visitation rights for the spouse and non-biological children, such as to visit a spouse in a hospital or prison
next-of-kin status for emergency medical decisions or filing wrongful death claims
custodial rights to children, shared property, child support, and alimony after divorce
domestic violence intervention
access to "family only" services, such as reduced rate memberships to clubs & organizations or residency in certain neighborhoods
Preferential hiring for spouses of veterans in government jobs
Tax-free transfer of property between spouses (including on death) and exemption from "due-on-sale" clauses.
Special consideration to spouses of citizens and resident aliens
Spouse's flower sales count towards meeting the eligibility for Fresh Cut Flowers and Fresh Cut Greens Promotion and Information Act
Threats against spouses of various federal employees is a federal crime
Right to continue living on land purchased from spouse by National Park Service when easement granted to spouse
Court notice of probate proceedings
Domestic violence protection orders
Existing homestead lease continuation of rights
Regulation of condominium sales to owner-occupants exemption
Funeral and bereavement leave
Joint adoption and foster care
Joint tax filing
Insurance licenses, coverage, eligibility, and benefits organization of mutual benefits society
Legal status with stepchildren
Making spousal medical decisions
Spousal non-resident tuition deferential waiver
Permission to make funeral arrangements for a deceased spouse, including burial or cremation
Right of survivorship of custodial trust
Right to change surname upon marriage
Right to enter into prenuptial agreement
Right to inheritance of property
Spousal privilege in court cases (the marital confidences privilege and the spousal testimonial privilege)

[edit] Responsibilities
Spousal income and assets are counted in determining need in many forms of government assistance, including:
veteran's medical and home care benefits
housing assistance
housing loans for veterans
child's education loans
educational loan repayment schedule
agricultural price supports and loans
eligibility for federal matching campaign funds
Ineligible for National Affordable Housing program if spouse ever purchased a home:
Subject to conflict-of-interest rules for many government and government-related jobs
Ineligible to receive various survivor benefits upon remarriage

[edit] Ambiguous
There are some laws that either benefit or penalize married couples over single people, depending upon their own circumstances:

Marriage penalty/bonus
Someone cannot change beneficiaries in a retirement plan or from waiving the joint and survivor annuity form of retirement benefit, without the written consent of his or her spouse
Wages can be garnished at a maximum of 60% (instead of the normal 25% limit) if the garnishing is for alimony or child support

[edit] States
In addition, community-property states frequently have forms of ownership that allow a full basis step-up on one's own share of community property on the death of a spouse (in addition to the normal step-up on spouse's assets).


[edit] Legal remedies enacted following the GAO report
Following the 2004 GAO report at least one bill, the Uniting American Families Act, has been proposed to attempt to remedy some of the differences in rights between same-sex partnerships and marriages.


[edit] References
^ http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d04353r.pdf 2004 updated report of the GAO PDF format
^ http://www.gao.gov/archive/1997/og97016.pdf General Accounting Office's 1997 report PDF format
^ "Publication 15: Circular E, Employers Tax Guide" (PDF). Internal Revenue Service. 10. http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p15.pdf.

[edit] Further reading
Tax Administration: Income Tax Treatment of Married and Single Individuals. GAO/GGD-96-175, September 3, 1996.

NICE RESEARCH!

Side note: The Social Security Act of 1935 (Federal law) specifically defines marriage as between a man and a woman so spouse & divorced spouse retirement and disability benefits are denied to gay couples even in states which recognize and license gay marriage.

Although being gay does NOT reduce ones FICA taxes. Kind of hard to spin that one any way but discriminatory...

-Joe

 

[Sunni Man]

NAMBLA , homos, child molesters, there is No difference.

They all want equal rights and have total legalization of their perversion.

 

[Sky Dancer]

NAMBLA , homos, child molesters, there is No difference.

if you say so, it must not be true.

 

[Big Black Dog]

Quote: Originally Posted by Al Gunn
Quote: Originally Posted by Big Black Dog
Avg - Joe - In the US you have Freedom of Religion which means you are free to worship in anyway that you please and believe in whatever you care to believe in. You also have the right to not believe in anything if that is your wish.
Not true, In the US if you don't believe in god, you can't get elected, that's no freedom. And you can get your rights taken away, like no gay marriage, if you're against the teachings of the bible.

Seems to me like your question is somewhat like a "bait and switch" deal. Lots of that going around. You ask a fairly simple question. When somebody answers it, you start preaching on your talking points to draw attention to your "cause". I knew that before I even answered the question you asked. Let me see if I have this correct. You believe in gay marriage. You don't have very much, if any, belief in any religion and you are only interested in showing us all your great troll skills. Have a done a good job of describing you?

 

[AVG-JOE]

NAMBLA , homos, child molesters, there is No difference.

They all want equal rights and have total legalization of their perversion.

There is a difference... gay adults are not doing anything illegal.

If you can't understand the moral obligation of the government to protect the rights of a minority who are living in legal peace then America still needs some work.

-Joe

 

[Sky Dancer]

So we must take your word for it?

Funny how the people of California didn't think so

Right to many of ex- or late spouse's benefits, including:
Social Security pension
veteran's pensions, indemnity compensation for service-connected deaths, medical care, and nursing home care, right to burial in veterans' cemeteries, educational assistance, and housing
survivor benefits for federal employees
survivor benefits for spouses of longshoremen, harbor workers, railroad workers
additional benefits to spouses of coal miners who die of black lung disease
$100,000 to spouse of any public safety officer killed in the line of duty
continuation of employer-sponsored health benefits
renewal and termination rights to spouse's copyrights on death of spouse
continued water rights of spouse in some circumstances
payment of wages and workers compensation benefits after worker death
making, revoking, and objecting to post-mortem anatomical gifts
Right to benefits while married:
employment assistance and transitional services for spouses of members being separated from military service; continued commissary privileges
per diem payment to spouse for federal civil service employees when relocating
Indian Health Service care for spouses of Native Americans (in some circumstances)
sponsor husband/wife for immigration benefits
Larger benefits under some programs if married, including:
veteran's disability
Supplemental Security Income
disability payments for federal employees
medicaid
property tax exemption for homes of totally disabled veterans
income tax deductions, credits, rates exemption, and estimates
wages of an employee working for one's spouse are exempt from federal unemployment tax[3]
Joint and family-related rights:
joint filing of bankruptcy permitted
joint parenting rights, such as access to children's school records
family visitation rights for the spouse and non-biological children, such as to visit a spouse in a hospital or prison
next-of-kin status for emergency medical decisions or filing wrongful death claims
custodial rights to children, shared property, child support, and alimony after divorce
domestic violence intervention
access to "family only" services, such as reduced rate memberships to clubs & organizations or residency in certain neighborhoods
Preferential hiring for spouses of veterans in government jobs
Tax-free transfer of property between spouses (including on death) and exemption from "due-on-sale" clauses.
Special consideration to spouses of citizens and resident aliens
Spouse's flower sales count towards meeting the eligibility for Fresh Cut Flowers and Fresh Cut Greens Promotion and Information Act
Threats against spouses of various federal employees is a federal crime
Right to continue living on land purchased from spouse by National Park Service when easement granted to spouse
Court notice of probate proceedings
Domestic violence protection orders
Existing homestead lease continuation of rights
Regulation of condominium sales to owner-occupants exemption
Funeral and bereavement leave
Joint adoption and foster care
Joint tax filing
Insurance licenses, coverage, eligibility, and benefits organization of mutual benefits society
Legal status with stepchildren
Making spousal medical decisions
Spousal non-resident tuition deferential waiver
Permission to make funeral arrangements for a deceased spouse, including burial or cremation
Right of survivorship of custodial trust
Right to change surname upon marriage
Right to enter into prenuptial agreement
Right to inheritance of property
Spousal privilege in court cases (the marital confidences privilege and the spousal testimonial privilege)

[edit] Responsibilities
Spousal income and assets are counted in determining need in many forms of government assistance, including:
veteran's medical and home care benefits
housing assistance
housing loans for veterans
child's education loans
educational loan repayment schedule
agricultural price supports and loans
eligibility for federal matching campaign funds
Ineligible for National Affordable Housing program if spouse ever purchased a home:
Subject to conflict-of-interest rules for many government and government-related jobs
Ineligible to receive various survivor benefits upon remarriage

[edit] Ambiguous
There are some laws that either benefit or penalize married couples over single people, depending upon their own circumstances:

Marriage penalty/bonus
Someone cannot change beneficiaries in a retirement plan or from waiving the joint and survivor annuity form of retirement benefit, without the written consent of his or her spouse
Wages can be garnished at a maximum of 60% (instead of the normal 25% limit) if the garnishing is for alimony or child support

[edit] States
In addition, community-property states frequently have forms of ownership that allow a full basis step-up on one's own share of community property on the death of a spouse (in addition to the normal step-up on spouse's assets).


[edit] Legal remedies enacted following the GAO report
Following the 2004 GAO report at least one bill, the Uniting American Families Act, has been proposed to attempt to remedy some of the differences in rights between same-sex partnerships and marriages.


[edit] References
^ http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d04353r.pdf 2004 updated report of the GAO PDF format
^ http://www.gao.gov/archive/1997/og97016.pdf General Accounting Office's 1997 report PDF format
^ "Publication 15: Circular E, Employers Tax Guide" (PDF). Internal Revenue Service. 10. http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p15.pdf.

[edit] Further reading
Tax Administration: Income Tax Treatment of Married and Single Individuals. GAO/GGD-96-175, September 3, 1996.

NAMBLA is missing many of these so called rights and bebefits.

Why aren't you championing their cause also Sky Dancer?

I can't stand NAMBLA

 

[AVG-JOE]

Quote: Originally Posted by Al Gunn
Quote: Originally Posted by Big Black Dog
Avg - Joe - In the US you have Freedom of Religion which means you are free to worship in anyway that you please and believe in whatever you care to believe in. You also have the right to not believe in anything if that is your wish.
Not true, In the US if you don't believe in god, you can't get elected, that's no freedom. And you can get your rights taken away, like no gay marriage, if you're against the teachings of the bible.

Seems to me like your question is somewhat like a "bait and switch" deal. Lots of that going around. You ask a fairly simple question. When somebody answers it, you start preaching on your talking points to draw attention to your "cause". I knew that before I even answered the question you asked. Let me see if I have this correct. You believe in gay marriage. You don't have very much, if any, belief in any religion and you are only interested in showing us all your great troll skills. Have a done a good job of describing you?

If that was tossed to me, you have it wrong. The thread was started as a discussion on the rights of people to think what they want to, and the obligation of the rest of us to defend that right, no matter what we think of what they think.

I challenge you to link to a post of mine with any derogatory comments about anyone's beliefs. The closest you would come is my *sigh* at Cecilies name calling... not exactly derogatory and not about her beliefs.

-Joe

 

[Big Black Dog]

Avg - Joe - In the US you have Freedom of Religion which means you are free to worship in anyway that you please and believe in whatever you care to believe in. You also have the right to not believe in anything if that is your wish.
Not true, In the US if you don't believe in god, you can't get elected, that's no freedom. And you can get your rights taken away, like no gay marriage, if you're against the teachings of the bible.

Let's see. If I understand things correctly, freedom of religion doesn't have a thing to do with getting elected to anything. Gay marriage doesn't have anything to do with freedom of religion either. I think you're really stretching this quite a bit. More like grabbing for anything you can hang your agenda on. In this case you are very wrong.

 

[Avatar4321]

There is a difference... gay adults are not doing anything illegal.

If you can't understand the moral obligation of the government to protect the rights of a minority who are living in legal peace then America still needs some work.

-Joe

Well not now.

Sodomy was illegal for centuries in many states previous to the Lawrence decision.

I still don't see why we should accept that its a civil rights issue simply because its asserted to be so. No one is being denied the right to vote. Everyone has the same rights as everyone else. So why should we accept it as such?

 

[Avatar4321]

NAMBLA , homos, child molesters, there is No difference.

if you say so, it must not be true.

He's using the same logic you are. Im not sure what you have to complain about.

 

[AVG-JOE]

There is a difference... gay adults are not doing anything illegal.

If you can't understand the moral obligation of the government to protect the rights of a minority who are living in legal peace then America still needs some work.

-Joe

Well not now.

Sodomy was illegal for centuries in many states previous to the Lawrence decision.

I still don't see why we should accept that its a civil rights issue simply because its asserted to be so. No one is being denied the right to vote. Everyone has the same rights as everyone else. So why should we accept it as such?

Because it is the right thing to do. You either see that or you don't. Personally I don't 'get' the attraction of establishing a household with another man, but I know that discrimination against someone for doing something that is perfectly legal is wrong. I don't have to relate to how someone feels to support their right to feel the way that they feel.

Just like I understand the passion that some of my fellow Americans feel toward The Bible and their need to gather together and worship with like-minded individuals even though I cannot relate to it.

I honestly don't personally care one way or another if gay people have equal rights under U.S. law, as those rights will affect me and my wife not one iota... on the other hand, I care deeply about my fellow Americans, some of whom happen to be gay, and I support their right to be different without giving up any of the societal benefits of personal commitment to another human that we call 'marriage'.

-Joe