It Is Expensive For Gay Couples

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by: Howie Holben Total views: 0 Word Count: 579 Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2010 Time: 11:54 AM 0 comments

Gay couples pay more money. That is more than just a simple statement. Over the average lifetime of a gay couple, they will spend more money than any heterosexual couple. There are all kinds of arguments that can be made by anti-gay groups and individuals, but the truth of the matter is that gay couples pay into all of the systems nearly twice as much as heterosexual couples do.

The most obvious cost is taxes. Until the federal government legalizes sex-sex marriage, the taxes that a gay couple pays out will always be higher than those of a heterosexual couple. The exact amount will differ depending on what state that they reside in. Of course, since they can't file as a married couple they can't provide the same tax credits to their families. When it comes to how they file, how they claim children as dependents, and how they can file for their deductions, many gay couples end up paying at least three quarters more per household.

Health insurance is the next big hitter. Many employers still do not health insurance to the partners' of gay employees. Even for companies that do offer coverage, the money is taxable income. Heterosexual couples have the benefit of using pre-taxed dollars. The cost of health care when one partner is not insured comes out of the family's household but can not be claimed adequately on taxes if it was paid for by the healthy partner.

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.

Having children is automatically a higher expense for gay couples. The actual cost will depend on the method in which the couple may decide to go about getting pregnant. Most couples can spend anywhere from $30,000 to in excess of $75,000 just to get pregnant. The cost of additional medical care and actually raising the child is not included in that figure.

After a lifetime together of supporting each other and figuring out those tax returns, a domestic partner receives no death benefit from the government and can be denied access to life insurance policies and death benefits held by the deceased's employer.

Non biological parents of children can easily be held accountable for a medical bill while simultaneously be withheld from making medical decisions for the child. If there is no second parent adoption available in the state of residence, then the non-biological parent can find that while they may pay directly or indirectly for care, they aren't entitled to simple decisions. The reverse is true with adult children trying to make medical decisions for their non biological parent.

We have all heard all of the arguments that state that if we aren't satisfied then we can change, or something like that. It's quite interesting that while we are typically required to pay twice as much for life's needs and wants, our money is perfectly acceptable. When it comes to enforcing those needs and wants, acceptable is not the word that comes to mind.



About the Author

Thoughts authored by Howie Holben. Spirit Journeys focuses on gay spirituality and has resources to assist on spiritual journeys.


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