Skip to main content
  • nike air fusion 2019 black edition series cast - Cop Your Next sale of Nike TNs - AssomasulShops , Nike TN Air Max Plus Trainers
  • The Nike Founded back in 2002 is Back! - PagulasabiShops
  • Comprar Nike Zoom 2K por 57 , Nike Zoom Rival Sprint Men's Spikes - PUNTOSDECULTURAshops, , 99€, Envío Gratis
  • footwear nike jordan flyknit max 200 gs cd5161 108 white laser orange black
  • Superskate Vulcan Slip - IetpShops - adidas messenger bags backpacks for kids boys - adidas x Andrew Pommier
  • air jordan 14 retro gg hyper pink 654969 028
  • air jordan 1 retro high og chicago on foot
  • Nike SB Dunk high premium doom sneaker talk
  • air jordan 1 retro high og hyper royal
  • nike kyrie 8 cancelled
  • Home
  • Calendar
  • About Us
  • Watch/Listen
  • FOIL Docs
  • Editorial Policy
  • Log in
  • Publish Article

Upcoming Events

No upcoming calendar events.

Protest calls attention to taxation of same-sex couples

Primary tabs

  • View(active tab)
  • Devel



While the mainstream media were off fawning over the “Tea Party” event, a group of fifteen taxpayers gathered in front of Rochester's Federal Building on State Street to protest another form of unfair taxation. No one from any of the local newspapers, TV or radio stations was there. The issue: Same-sex couples pay considerably more in taxes and lack many of the benefits of those taxes compared to opposite-sex couples. Not everyone there was a member of the affected communities. One husband and wife, when asked why they were there said “to support our brothers and sisters.”


The first question that comes to mind is “what about the so-called Marriage Penalty” that so many married couples bemoan? It is true that married couples who file jointly are often pushed into higher tax brackets and owe more tax. But this applies only to income taxes. There are other taxes which hurt same-sex couples unfairly. Much of the reason is because New York does not grant same-sex couples the same legal status as opposite-sex couples enjoy. If a married spouse dies and leaves property to his or her surviving spouse, it is exempted from inheritance tax. But for a same-sex couple, it is considered taxable and often at a very high rate.

Health insurance is another nightmare for same-sex couples. Many employer-provided health plans provide insurance for married spouses. Far fewer do likewise for same-sex couples. And for those that do, the benefits are considered taxable income. Of course a universal health care system is a much more equitable and efficient way of addressing these problems and others. Meanwhile it does not justify the institutionalized discrimination currently practiced.


Old age benefits open a new set of problems even if the couple has been together for many years. Spouses in opposite-sex couples can receive half of a spouse's Social Security benefits while the spouse is alive, and surviving spouse can continue to collect a deceased spouse's benefits until they die themselves. Some employer pensions cover a same-sex partner but many do not. Even those that do, when the pensioner dies the surviving partner loses all benefits.


These issues could all be eliminated if New York, and all states, would simply recognize same-sex marriages in the same manner as they recognize opposite-sex ones. That was the message of the protesters. Democrats and Republicans, listen up. News media, pay attention!

Anti-homophobia / Anti-transphobia
Civil Liberties / Human Rights
Elections / Legislation
Gender & Sexuality
Health Care
  • Facebook logo
  • Google logo
  • identi.ca logo
  • Twitter logo
  • Digg logo
  • del.icio.us logo
  • Reddit logo
  • StumbleUpon logo
  • Yahoo logo
  • Log in or register to post comments

Search form

Local News

Did District Attorney Sandra Doorley Violate Ethics Guidelines While Attending a Local Republican Fundraiser in May?
Jim Goodman - Sleeper Cell for the Revolution!
The Press as Powdered Donut with Blue Badge in the Middle
Blueprint for Engagement: Evaluating Police / Community Relations Final Report (2017)
The Police-Civilian Foot Patrol: An Evaluation of the PAC-TAC Experiemnt in Rochester, New York (June 1975)
Police Killing of Denise Hawkins (1975)
Complaint Investigation Committee Legislation (1977)
Race Rebellion of July 1964
Selections Regarding the Police Advisory Board (1963-1970)
Prelude to the Police Advisory Board
A.C. White (January 26, 1963)
Police Raid on Black Muslim Religious Service (January 6, 1963)
Rufus Fairwell (August 12, 1962)
Incarcerated Worker sheds light on Prison Labor Conditions during Pandemic
Police and Political Commentary
BWC video indicates Mark Gaskill was holding his phone as police shouted "gun"
How the NY Attorney General's defended the police who killed Daniel Prude
Hats off to Kropotkin!!
Agreement between the City of Rochester and the Rochester Police Locust Club, 2016 - 2019
Facebook Posts Lead to Federal Rioting Charges for Justice for Daniel Prude Protester

Recent Comments

Any status on FOIL request?
Media's Goebbels
Related
Related
USA as NAZI criminals
oops
PS
A message of Truth from Geral
Fyi
See related data...

Syndication

  • Feature Stories
  • Local News

Account Creation Policy Change

Rochester Indymedia is now requiring editor approval for account creation.

We came to this decision after we had repeated spam posted to our website that caused difficulty with the website's functioning.  We will still have open publishing and keep our site as nonrestrictive and accessible as possible.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us.  As before, we will continue to be Rochester's grassroots news and education site.  Thank you for your continued support and remember, "Don't hate the media, be the media!"

Editorial Meeting Times / Locations

The Rochester Independent Media Center (R-IMC) is no longer meeting regularly.
We will set up meetings by necessity and appointment. Please contact us at rochesterindymedia@rocus.org.
Our home is still the Flying Squirrel Community Space at 285 Clarissa St. Occasionally, we hold meetings at RCTV located at 21 Gorham Street.

Global IMC Network

To be downloaded