Incredibly, two years after the Supreme Court struck down the Defense of Marriage Act’s prohibition on federal recognition of same-sex marriages, some married same-sex couples are still being denied federal benefits especially important to older adults. This is because some federal agencies use the “place of domicile” rule to determine whether a couple is considered married. As a result, bereaved widows like Kathy continue to be denied Social Security survivors’ benefits because the state in which they live does not recognize their marriage.
via The Rainbow Times.
National Committee Member Sues SSA for Survivor Benefits in Same Sex Marriage Case.
Three events are coming up for the Know Your Rights Initiative, an important education program for same-sex married couples regarding access to enhanced Social Security benefits.
Marriage Equality USA is co-sponsoring three Town Halls in Northern California in April 2015 and we want to make sure you have the opportunity to get these events on your calendars.
More information about the National Committee’s Foundation campaign, Know Your Rights, can be found here.
Same-sex couples may have won marriage equality, but some gay and lesbian individuals have been left wondering if their unions are still less than equal in the eyes of the government.
via New York Times.
Same-Sex Marriage Ruling Will End Social Security Discrimination for Families Nationwide.
Two of our awesome volunteers spoke yesterday on Marriage Equality & Social Security.
Sign up to volunteer here.
As long as same-sex marriages are not recognized in all 50 states, same-sex couples will be denied the support systems vital to maintaining health, well-being, and financial security.
Update: On November 12, the Supreme Court denied a stay on a ruling that struck down Kansas’s same-sex marriage ban, allowing same-sex marriages to move forward in the state.
Related reading: Know Your Rights (KYR) is an initiative designed to educate and motivate LGBT elder couples to file claims for their earned benefits with the Social Security Administration.
Yesterday, NCPSSM’s Capitol Action Team, LGBT and allied groups, grassroots
leaders, clergy, and families rallied in support of the marriage
equality cases before the United States Supreme Court. NCPSSM supports
equal benefits, and is a co-sponsor of this coalition.
NCPSSM’s Capitol Action Team, LGBT and allied groups, grassroots leaders, clergy, and families rallied in support of the marriage equality cases before the United States Supreme Court. NCPSSM supports equal benefits, and is a co-sponsor of this coalition.
Interested in volunteering at future events? Visit here or click the photo above to sign up!
Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) organizations across California have focused on marriage equality for several years and were given a huge boost by the Supreme Court’s Windsor decision in June 2013 protecting same-sex marriage. Less known and understood at the time was the seismic change that ruling ushered in for same-sex married couples in California by conveying equality in federal programs.
via Times of San Diego.
More on the National Committee Foundation’s Know Your Rights Initiative.
The Human Rights Campaign works with every branch of the federal government to ensure that LGBT issues receive the attention and respect they deserve. Support for marriage equality is rapidly growing across all demographics, and the public deserves to know the positions of their elected...
