Travel Tips

It Simply Costs More For Gay Couples

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.

There is no doubt that gay couples pay more in taxes when compared to the same income bracket hetero households. Without the ability to apply the usual benefits that married couples can apply, that het households with children can apply, and the basic filing options provided, taxes are simply a higher expense. Most couples end up paying about three quarters and change more than their straight counterparts.

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.

Couples within the community have to spend more money in legal fees. If they want to ensure that their property is divided fairly or that their partner has sole custody of their child, gay couples have to seek legal services. To make sure that these documents are iron-clad, that means paying for legal services that are protected under marriage for straight couples.

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.

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.

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.

Article from spiritual author Howie Holben. Howie runs Spirit Journeys and SpiritWear they offer metaphysical jewelry.

© 2010 Travel Oversea.