Gay couples are obviously not afforded the same rights as hetero couples, and we’ve all heard the arguments on both sides of the fence. Anti-gay groups and individuals protest loudly while the GLBT community pays out more into the system per household than their hetero counterparts. The straight community certainly doesn’t turn away the money generated by keeping gay couples separated.
One of the most obvious additional costs includes the payment of taxes. Without the same marriage benefits, child benefits, and filing benefits of the heterosexual community, the gay couple will pay out a higher amount of the household money as each individual files separately without benefits. Even something as simple as true deductions have to come under scrutiny to ensure that the wrong deduction doesn’t end up on the wrong tax return. The average additional taxation for couples of the GLBT community is generally three quarters to even twice the amount paid for a hetero household with the same income requirements.
It’s a great leap forward when companies voluntarily offer same sex partner benefits. Those benefits are, however, considered income and are taxed when the benefits of a married couple are not. Both partners have to supply medical coverage on their own. It can get pretty sticky when filing taxes if one partner paid for all or part of another’s health care.
Most couples in the family that either own property together or they have children together are likely to need legal counsel and representation. Everything from their intentions to their monetary assets must be documented and legally regulated in order to make sure that family heirlooms to children stay within the immediate family. Some gay couples find that even with their legal documentation, they have nothing backing them up.
If a couple wants children they can expect some very high expenses. Men can anticipate adoption fees that can creep into the hundreds of thousands while women can expect to find about seventy five thousand extra dollars in order conceive a child. There are plenty of anti-gay family arguments that have been interjected and debated over this point, but that’s beside the point. A family is possible but only for those who can afford the initial step.
Later in life, domestic partners cannot collect any death benefits from Social Security. When it comes to pensions, it is up to the deceased partner’s company to decide if they will pay anything to the surviving partner.
Children who are not biologically related to one parent will find that they can not expect their abilities to make medical decisions for their parent without appropriate paperwork. Likewise, the same can be said for minor children under the care of their non-biological parent. Second parent adoptions help to clear up these issues, but few states permit them. A non-biological parent can still be held accountable for the medical bills.
Yes, there are many ways that we can be told to live differently if we don’t like it. We all know the answer to that. However, when it comes down to everything from opposition to same sex benefits to opposition to same sex marriages, it’s not a bad idea to put it in black and white how gay couples pay more for living than het couples do.
Commentary created by Howie Holben. Spirit Journeys presents gay Grand Canyon tours and other gay tours.
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