Geography of taxes
Posted on Mar 28, 2008 at 11:56 am
March 28, 2008
Regardless of your political affiliation, one debate that usually inflames passions in the Washington Metro Area is whether it’s best to live in D.C, Virginia or Maryland. The question becomes more important if you are a same-sex couple. For example, let’s say you’ve saved $1 million in your retirement account, which you planned to leave to your partner at death. In which jurisdiction would the taxes be the lowest on your estate: D.C., Virginia or Maryland? If you said D.C., you’d be wrong. Maryland? No, guess again. The answer is Virginia. Yep, that’s right, the anti-gay Commonwealth. [link]
The Impact of Minnesota’s Discriminatory Laws Only Is Amplified During Economic Uncertainty -unce
Posted on Mar 21, 2008 at 02:11 pm
March 21, 2008
Just about every Minnesota family is feeling the uncertainty of today’s economy. Unemployment rose throughout the state late last year, and home foreclosures in the Twin Cities are at an all-time high. The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported that Minnesota’s 12-month job growth was the third worst in the country in December. For about one out of five Minnesota households, a sluggish economy just adds to the financial uncertainty they face every day. In an economic downturn, plans for savings and financial stability take on a whole new meaning for the nearly 20 percent of Minnesota households that are led by same-sex couples. [link]
Study: Gay couples in AZ lack resources
Posted on Mar 04, 2008 at 03:16 pm
March 4, 2008
Gay and lesbian couples in Arizona generally make less money, are less likely to own a home and have fewer resources to raise children than their married counterparts, according to a new study by the Williams Institute at the University of California Los Angeles. The results of the study being conducted state by state are shattering many long-held stereotypes. [Link]
Marriage Equality Attracting Skilled Workers To MA
Posted on Mar 03, 2008 at 03:06 pm
March 3, 2008
Massachusetts is reaping huge financial gains as a result of ending the exclusion of same-sex couples from marriage. [Link]
Gay-friendliness is not only about values
Posted on Feb 20, 2008 at 03:20 pm
February 20, 2008
Israeli psychology professor Carlo Strenger writes that gay equality is more than an issue of morality and advocates for the economic importance of tolerance; cites research-specific examples. [Link]
Domestic partners two-timed
Posted on Feb 01, 2008 at 11:33 am
February 1, 2008
California's registered domestic partners are sailing in uncharted territory this tax season. For the first time, a landmark state law requires them to file their taxes as married couples — even though federal tax laws don't recognize such unions. [Link]
D.C.-area gay couples earn less than married counterparts
Posted on Dec 18, 2007 at 08:20 am
December 18, 2007
New analyses show that local same-sex couples often earn less than married men and women. According to data recently released by the University of California’s Williams Institute on Sexual Orientation, married couples trump same-sex couples in nine of 16 categorical salary comparisons. Gary Gates, a Williams Institute senior research fellow, said the analyses “break down some very common stereotypes” of gays. “Same-sex couples are much more diverse than I think our media presentations would indicate,” he said. [Link]
Same-sex couples raising children less likely to be white, wealthy
Posted on Oct 31, 2007 at 11:51 am
October 31, 2007
"There is an idea of LGBT families, when people think about it at all, there's this perception that it's affluent white folks, and the data show that's based on our own misperceptions," said Judy Appel, director of the Our Family Coalition in San Francisco. "We're in every neighborhood, every race, ethnicity and economic group. Our kids are playing in the playgrounds and parks with all other kids." [Link]
COLUMN: Same-sex and worried about retirement
Posted on Aug 26, 2007 at 03:25 pm
August 26, 2007
Columnist Martha Hamilton writes about the financial difficulties many same-sex couples face because they cannot receive the tax breaks and retirement benefits that come with marriage. [Link]
BLOG: Corporate America: The new gay activists
Posted on Jul 16, 2007 at 03:28 pm
July 16, 2007
Charting a course unplanned but nevertheless successful, Corporate America is shaping up to be the most persuasive gay activists of the decade. How are they doing it? With a simple three-step formula: credibility + education + action. It's a winning combination that actually fuels progress toward achieving equality in other arenas including politically charged topics like marriage. [Link]