Same-Sex Rights: Wedding and Children

Same-sex couples were never treated equally whether it was being tortured in public or the government treating them like they didn't exist when they decided to get married. Same-sex couples should have equal rights just like heterosexual couples do. Same-sex couples should have the same benefits as heterosexual couples in all 50 states so they can have access to the medical and survivor benefits as heterosexual couples, they should be allowed the right to become good parents, and gay marriage can benefit the economy because filing taxes jointly pay a higher rate in certain areas when compared to single who file taxes. With same-sex couples having to deal with social stress and being different than what the world sees as a social norm, these couples deserve to be treated equitably as others.

Marital status is the most important thing when it comes to getting coverage over your life. Social security allows same-sex couples to receive benefits as long as they are married this way it would help the couples and the families they choose to have. Whether that's getting retirement, survivor, and disability benefits, same-sex couples are entitled to these benefits and higher benefits based on the status of their relationship. If the couple decides to have children this would benefit the child as well. Furthermore, 'households with the same rights and privileges to health care, health insurance, and survivor benefits, as afforded opposite-sex households”. A Same-sex couple being recognized in all fifty states would allow them to collect social security benefits which can lead to other benefits being offered. There should be a full range of benefits allowed for same-sex couples just as heterosexual couples. Same-sex couples should collect spousal benefits just as well as survivors' benefits and health care. With these couples being recognized in state and out-of-state jurisdiction this would determine whether or not the couples were allowed to receive benefits. Nevertheless, “same-sex relationships were less likely than women in opposite-sex relationships to have health insurance coverage, or to have seen a medical provider in the previous 12 months and to have a usual source of health care that were more likely to have unmet medical needs as a result of cost issues. In contrast, health care access among men in same-sex relationships was equivalent to or greater than that among men in opposite-sex relationships”. Studies have shown that homosexual women get fewer mammograms and other tests compared to heterosexual women. Statistics have shown that men rarely use their health and survival coverage. Men and women are treated differently when it comes to same-sex couples having coverage. 8 percent of men in a same-sex relationship might see a doctor once or twice a year. While they may have the same health concerns as the general population their needs were not always met as they experienced a higher rate and faced several challenges. With same-sex couples, it is hard to determine whether or not they are living in the same house, this makes it difficult to decide whether or not they should receive benefits. With social, financial, cultural, and structural issues faced with care, same-sex couples sometimes use preventative care at a reduced rate.

Same-sex couples make great parents because the child is not missing out on having two parents. Whether that's having two mothers or two fathers, the child still benefits in a significant way. Studies have shown that children benefit socially and emotionally from interacting with their peers, Therefore, “Children raised by same-sex parents demonstrated to be more tolerant towards others and increased open-mindedness when it came to sexuality, gender, and family diversity of others being raised by a different parent”. The children are not biased when they see something that is different, they are more accepting because their parents are not living a socially normal life, which many see is a heterosexual couple. Children are more open-minded and accepting when it comes to having same-sex parents. Same-sex children understand the differences and are thereby more accepting of others' differences without judging them for being that way. Today with notable figures such as Wanda and Alex Sykes, Neil Patrick and David Harris, Michael and Rodes, Shaun T and Scott Blokker, and other couples that are a part of the LGBTQ community with children show they are not affected negatively in any way. Equally, “Gay men and lesbians represent a ready and willing pool of prospective parents, and research has demonstrated them to be as capable and as beneficial as opposite-sex parents”. Even though it's not being the norm for many, it proves that same-sex couples can take care of children. The children are fair and well just as heterosexual couples' children. The children don’t differ from heterosexual couples' kids just because they have two parents that are the same. Being that it is over 700,000 same-sex couples in the world 114,000 of them are parents to children. Everyone deserves a family, especially with so many children needing parents and places to call home. There are multiple reasons why children are placed in foster care the house is unsafe. For instance, the child is being neglected or abused by their parents or someone who is a part of the family, or the parents are simply unable to for the child. Many families go and face a crisis on a daily, but children deserve to be where they can be happy and live life to their fullest potential. 440,000 children are in the foster care system and these numbers continue to grow each day in the United States. More than 700,000 children spent time in the foster care system. Children usually remain in the system for a minimum of two years. With these numbers growing and changing daily children should be allowed to find a home whether that is with two parents of the same-sex or parents of the opposite sex. Children should not be shut out due to differences in being raised.

Tax returns are prepared and filed based on the status of the couple. When same-sex couples get married they are allowed to file as one. With same-sex marriages being legalized in 2015, it shed a moment in American society. It has some practical issues for same-sex couples including the ability to be allowed to file taxes using their marriage license. Partnerships and other unions were acknowledged on a state level. This means that the couple could use their partnership only if they were legally married. In fact,' many arrangements were an effort to avoid a marriage penalty: the higher tax that results when a couple’s income is taxed in only one partner’s hands”. The Constitution requires that all states have a license for marriage between each person therefore with same-sex couples being allowed to file in all 50 states as one person. Multiple cases were addressed by the Supreme Court about same-sex couples being allowed to file taxes together. Obergefell vs Hodges is a landmark case that changed the way many viewed the LGBTQ community. This case ruled that same-sex marriage fell under the fourteenth amendment by the Due Process and Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution. Each state must recognize each marriage lawfully performed in another state or country, all people have the right to get married regardless of gender. Moreover, ' The litigation strategy of same-sex marriage advocates has been described as the following: For same-sex couples, government recognition of their marriage is not just about bestowing their relationship with the same respect and dignity conferred upon heterosexual couples”. The good news about same-sex couples being allowed to get married is that they would receive a lower bill from the Supreme Court. The liability of this would go up once they got married. All tax returns are prepared and filed based on the status of the couple. If the couple is married, they are one. Same-sex couples are eligible to file as one and should be treated fairly. With this being allowed to happen it raises the tax rates jointly to a higher level in certain areas.

Same-sex couples deserve to have the same rights as heterosexual couples. It should not make a difference whether a man marries a man or a woman marries a woman. It is not fair that same-sex couples have to continue to fight for their rights even though they can get married legally in all 50 states. They are still fighting for the right to be equally accepted into the world. Regardless of what is commonly thought amongst most, same-sex couples should have access to the same medical and survivor benefits as hetero couples, they should be allowed the right to become good parents, also gay marriage can benefit the economy because filing taxes jointly pay a higher rate in certain areas when compared to single who file taxes.

Works Cited

1. Black, Stephen T. “The Same Sex Marriage Tax Shelter: What’s Love Got to Do with It?” Akron Law Review, vol. 48, no. 3, July 2015, pp. 1–35.
2. Buffie, William C. “[Commentary on] Public Health Implications of Same-Sex Marriage?” American Journal of Public Health, vol. 101, no. 6, June 2011, pp. 986–990.
3. Di Camillo, John A. “SAME-SEX PARENTING AND SOUND SCIENCE. (Cover Story).” Ethics & Medics, vol. 37, no. 10, Oct. 2012, pp. 1–2
4. Heck, Julia E., et al. “Health Care Access among Individuals Involved in Same-Sex Relationships.” American Journal of Public Health, vol. 96, no. 6, June 2006, pp. 1111–1118.
5. SCHMID, SAMANTHA. “Income Tax Treatment of Same-Sex Couples: Windsor Vs State Marriage Bans.” Marquette Law Review, vol. 98, no. 4, Summer 2015, pp. 1805–1840
6. Titlestad, Angharad, and Ken Patterson. “Navigating Parenthood as Two Women; The Positive Aspects and Strengths of Female Same-Sex Parenting.” Journal of GLBT Family Studies, vol. 15, no. 2, Mar. 2019, pp. 186–209