Two members of Congress review Social Security benefits for same-sex couples
Mon. April 12, 2010 12:00 AM by GoPride.com News Staff
Two members of Congress are putting together legislation that would guarantee Social Security benefits for same-sex couples.
Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-California) and Rep. Judy Chu (D-California) spoke to a rally of about 700 people yesterday in Los Angeles, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Currently married spouses are eligible for some benefits if their spouse dies. For example, a married father whose wife dies might be able to get Social Security payments to help raise their children.
"I don't think it's right that Americans should be treated differently by the country they love because of who they love," Sanchez said. "Right now, same-sex marriage couples pay equally into a system that they don't receive equal benefits from in return. Shame on this country for allowing that to happen."
California Senator Barbara Boxer also attended the event. Organizers say that President Barack Obama has stated his opposition to Social Security discrimination against same-sex couples.
According to organizers, the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law has determined that the lack of eligibility for Social Security Survivors benefits can cost the surviving partners of same-sex couples $5,700 per year.
More than a million American taxpayers are living with a same-sex partner. They are required to pay into Social Security just like everyone else, but are denied some of the benefits that straight couples receive. It's estimated that this discrimination has cost gays and lesbians more than $2 billion in the last decade.
Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-California) and Rep. Judy Chu (D-California) spoke to a rally of about 700 people yesterday in Los Angeles, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Currently married spouses are eligible for some benefits if their spouse dies. For example, a married father whose wife dies might be able to get Social Security payments to help raise their children.
"I don't think it's right that Americans should be treated differently by the country they love because of who they love," Sanchez said. "Right now, same-sex marriage couples pay equally into a system that they don't receive equal benefits from in return. Shame on this country for allowing that to happen."
California Senator Barbara Boxer also attended the event. Organizers say that President Barack Obama has stated his opposition to Social Security discrimination against same-sex couples.
According to organizers, the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law has determined that the lack of eligibility for Social Security Survivors benefits can cost the surviving partners of same-sex couples $5,700 per year.
More than a million American taxpayers are living with a same-sex partner. They are required to pay into Social Security just like everyone else, but are denied some of the benefits that straight couples receive. It's estimated that this discrimination has cost gays and lesbians more than $2 billion in the last decade.