federal government

Gay Marriage: Why Are Wall Street and the Koch Brothers Pro-Equality Now?

Submitted by ONE Community on May 1, 2013 - 5:26pm

Since 2008, the opinion about Wall Street hasn't exactly been positive. Numerous rumors and stories about cronyism and political favorsfrom D.C. have tarnished the reputation of the U.S.' financial heart. Read more »

ONE Community

Gay Americans pay more taxes for fewer rights

Submitted by ONE Community on February 26, 2013 - 9:27am

-- That nine states and the District of Columbia have legalized same-sex marriage is encouraging progress for those of us who believe that everyone deserves to have basic civil rights. But, even if every state in the country could pass a similar legislation, it would not be enough. What we need is for our federal government to step up and make this basic right a law of the land.

Beyond the social discrimination, the refusal of our federal government to legally recognize same-sex marriages imposes steep financial penalties on same-sex couples. That two of the most costly penalties are triggered upon the death of one partner just adds to the ache of the senseless discrimination. Read more »

ONE Community

EXCLUSIVE: Wealthy LGBT voices heard on ‘fiscal cliff’

Submitted by ONE Community on December 9, 2012 - 12:25pm

We have heard from quite a few constituencies of late about the need for President Obama and Congress to come to a deal over the so-called “fiscal cliff.” On Wednesday, a bipartisan group of governors made their views clear. Today, an unprecedented letter from wealthy gay and lesbian Americans dropped on the congressional leadership in both parties calling on them to “work with President Obama to avoid the fiscal cliff with a balanced approach, and to preserve the middle class tax cuts while allowing tax cuts for millionaires like us expire.”

What, you thought the gays only cared about gay marriage?

Read more »

ONE Community

2nd Circuit Hears Gay Widow Edith Schlain Windsor's Argument Against Unfair Tax

Submitted by ONE Community on September 29, 2012 - 4:57pm

MANHATTAN (CN) - An Obama administration lawyer urged the 2nd Circuit to ensure that an 83-year-old lesbian widow receives the same spousal benefits as other Americans.

Edith Schlain Windsor filed a federal complaint against the government after she had to pay $363,053 in federal estate tax when her wife, Thea Spyer, succumbed to multiple sclerosis and a heart condition in 2009.

The couple had been together in New York City since 1963 and married each other in Canada and another jurisdiction where same-sex marriage is legal. Read more »

ONE Community

NY court to hear arguments in gay marriage case

Submitted by ONE Community on September 18, 2012 - 9:10pm

NEW YORK — The Defense of Marriage Act is set for a showdown in a federal appeals court later this month between those who say it is right for the government to speak of marriage only in heterosexual terms and those who say doing so discriminates against same-sex unions. Read more »

ONE Community

In a Nontraditional Relationship? Beware These 7 Financial Pitfalls

Submitted by ONE Community on June 9, 2012 - 2:52pm

Last week, Forbes contributor Nancy Anderson wrote about some of the ways that “couples unknowingly sabotage their finances.” But as difficult as it can be to manage money in any relationship, it can be even more challenging when that relationship is a domestic partnership, civil union, or same-sex marriage. That’s because despite President Obama’s recent change of heart, none of those relationships come with all the same rights and privileges as a traditional marriage. Read more »

ONE Community

DOMA challenge gets appeals court hearing

Submitted by ONE Community on April 7, 2012 - 1:50pm

From The San Francisco Gate:

A closely watched constitutional challenge to the Defense of Marriage Act, known as DOMA, went before a U.S. appeals court for the first time Wednesday, setting the stage for a possible Supreme Court decision next year on whether legally married same-sex couples are entitled to equal benefits under federal law.

At issue is not whether gays and lesbians have a right to marry, but whether the federal government can deny tax, health and pension benefits to same-sex couples in states where they can marry.

ONE Community

Lesbian & Gay Immigrant Families File Suit Challenging Federal Defense of Marriage Act

Submitted by ONE Community on April 2, 2012 - 8:22pm

NEW YORK, April 2, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Five Couples Ask Court to Recognize Families for U.S. Immigration Purposes

Five lesbian and gay couples filed suit today in the Eastern District of New York, challenging Section 3 of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which prevents lesbian and gay American citizens from sponsoring their spouses for green cards. The lawsuit, filed on the couples' behalf by Immigration Equality and the law firm of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, alleges that DOMA violates the couples' constitutional right to equal protection. Read more »

Battle over federal Defense of Marriage Act heads to appeals court in Mass.

Submitted by ONE Community on March 31, 2012 - 10:00pm

BOSTON — A legal battle over a law that denies federal benefits to married gay couples is headed to a federal appeals court in Massachusetts, the first state in the nation to legalize gay marriage.

The federal Defense of Marriage Act, enacted by Congress in 1996, defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman and prevents the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages. Read more »

ONE Community

Gov’t Sets Goal For Preventing Alzheimer’s Disease

Submitted by Maryglenn Boals on January 18, 2012 - 8:06am

There are an estimated 5.4 million Americans suffering with Alzheimer’s disease and, by 2050, that number is expected to triple, costing $1 trillion in medical and nursing-home expenses. Because of the staggering numbers associated with the disease, the federal government has announced the first National Alzheimer’s Plan, which sets 2025 as a target for developing more effective treatments, addressing the medical and social problems of dementia, and developing ways to prevent the illness. Harry Johns, president of the Alzheimer’s Association and one of the advisers working on the plan, said what is important is developing a comprehensive plan that deals with the needs of people who already have the disease. Read more »

All Things Long Term Care