Wednesday, June 26, 2013

DOMA is done

I have been richly blessed in life. I have a spouse that I adore, children that I adore, and a job to provide for us.  However like many gays I have had my marriage recognized ony in a handful of states. 

Our relationship has been unrecognized at the federal level, meaning that should I predecease my wife she would not be eligible to the higher spousal social security benefits that could come to a hetero survivor.  Tax season has been a huge nightmare because I have to file so complexly.  (single head of households on 2 federal forms, married filing jointly on our state form.) In the larger sense in society, despite our state recognition of our commitment, we have been "less than."  I even pay a special tax on my health insurance at present because of the fact that at a federal level our marriage was not recognized.

Today, that difference was obliterated. I am nearly speechless with joy.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm with ya! Down with DOMA. Here in Michigan, we still don't have even civil unions. We are married in California but we are in a little bit of limbo until Michigan goes ahead with marriage equity. At least the end of DOMA is a great step.

Lee said...

Doma's demise will hopefully help Michigan to legally recognize your CA marriage. I read though that it will take some time for those changes. Sigh. Still, progress on the forward road!