The Cost Of Living For Gay Couples

Gay couples pay more money. That is more than just a simple statement. Over the average lifetime of a gay couple, they will spend more money than any heterosexual couple. There are all kinds of arguments that can be made by anti-gay groups and individuals, but the truth of the matter is that gay couples pay into all of the systems nearly twice as much as heterosexual couples do.

The most obvious cost is taxes. Until the federal government legalizes sex-sex marriage, the taxes that a gay couple pays out will always be higher than those of a heterosexual couple. The exact amount will differ depending on what state that they reside in. Of course, since they can’t file as a married couple they can’t provide the same tax credits to their families. When it comes to how they file, how they claim children as dependents, and how they can file for their deductions, many gay couples end up paying at least three quarters more per household.

Health insurance is the next big hitter. Many employers still do not health insurance to the partners’ of gay employees. Even for companies that do offer coverage, the money is taxable income. Heterosexual couples have the benefit of using pre-taxed dollars. The cost of health care when one partner is not insured comes out of the family’s household but can not be claimed adequately on taxes if it was paid for by the healthy partner.

Most couples in the family that either own property together or they have children together are likely to need legal counsel and representation. Everything from their intentions to their monetary assets must be documented and legally regulated in order to make sure that family heirlooms to children stay within the immediate family. Some gay couples find that even with their legal documentation, they have nothing backing them up.

Having children is automatically a higher expense for gay couples. The actual cost will depend on the method in which the couple may decide to go about getting pregnant. Most couples can spend anywhere from $30,000 to in excess of $75,000 just to get pregnant. The cost of additional medical care and actually raising the child is not included in that figure.

Even after gay couples have spent the better part of their lives together, have filed legal paperwork, and have gone through every available avenue, death benefits from the government and often death benefits from the employer of the deceased partner are denied. This can create additional financial hardships on families.

Non-biological children in states that do not permit second parent adoptions often have legal difficulties when it comes to medical decisions, claims for reimbursement, and even burial rights. Non-biological parents without the afforded second parent adoption often can not make immediate medical decisions for their child yet are often handed the medical bill without the expectation of reimbursement.

Sure, there are many people who will tell us that this is just the natural consequence of that “deviant” lifestyle, or whatever the word of the moment might be. It’s different when you see it all in black and white. Suddenly you can see clearly how our money is accepted anywhere that we are not.

By Howie Holben. Spirit Journeys proposes gay single travel options and also gay yoga retreats.