Benefits for Gays and Lesbians
The constitution states all men are created equal and are entitled to inalienable rights, but this is not depicted in society today. Why does the government enact laws that circumvent the rights of gays and lesbian? Many say the government is clinging to puritan ways and allowing Christian conservative groups to persuade and influence votes. The rights of gays and lesbians are at the forefront of society and it will be an uphill battle to ensure gays and lesbians are treated the same as heterosexuals.
Local and State Public Policy
One of many public policy issues of importance is benefits for domestic and same sex partners. The state and federal governments have laws in place that hinder organizations from offering certain benefits to the gay and lesbian community. Married heterosexual couples receive more than one thousand various federal based benefits, as well as other common benefits, governmental, and employment based associated with marital union. Unfortunately, federal based benefits are not allowed in same sex relationships because their partnerships are not acknowledged by the federal government. Of course, no laws prohibit a private-sector employer from offering partner health benefits, but federal and state laws do affect certain other benefits and the taxation of health and retirement benefits. Laws such as the constitutional amendments at the state level and the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) of 1996 are interpreted to prohibit partner benefits for persons working for the public. Certain state and federal laws have an effect on the taxation of health insurance benefits, including Health Savings Accounts, Health Reimbursement Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Family and Medical Leave (FML) and ...