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.

Gay Vacations To Peru

For most people, the best gay vacations are a way to take time away from the stresses of daily life. Vacations also allow us to do and see things we wouldn’t normally experience. But, many people want even more from their vacations and travel experiences.

More and more people seek more harmony and peace in their lives. They expect more from their time away than just temporary relief. They want to seek out a deeper meaning for being alive. If you are one of these people, a spiritual journey to Peru’s Sacred Valley may be exactly what you’re looking for in your next vacation.

Nestled in the Andes Mountains, this area of Peru is know for it’s spiritual connection to the Earth. The area is filled with ruins from the Inca Empire. To touch walls that were built with such precision such a long time ago, can be a very moving experience. An exeperience you will not forget.

The Kamaquen Retreat Center is known to be wonderful place to stay while visiting the Sacred Valley. The staff at Kamaquen is adept at brining their guests close to the Andean people, spirit and culture. The center’s goal is to their guests find a bit of themselves while exploring the Sacred Valley.

Visiting Machu Picchu while in Peru is a must! It’s only a short distance to Machu Picchu from the Sacred Valley. From the moment you enter Machu Picchu, the energy of the site embraces you. You cannot be there and not have your spirit be touched.

There many places on the grounds of Machu Picchu that are perfect just to sit and meditate. It is easy to become one with Machu Picchu and to absorb it’s spiritual energy. Many people have had life changing revelations just being at Machu Picchu. Gay spirituality tours to Peru can change your life.

A post on gay vacations in 2010 in Peru by Howie Holben. Spirit Journeys makes available a great gay guide.

Gay Tour Advice For Spain

Visitors to Spain will find a high level of acceptance and a welcoming atmosphere nearly anywhere you travel in the country. This is due in part to the legal equality granted to the LGBT community in Spain, including the right to marry, the right to adopt children and the promise of equal legal treatment on a level that Americas LGBT community continues to struggle for. So it is a wonderful country for gay trips. Because of this welcoming environment, Spain is a top pick for gay vacations. The visibility of the community and the scene varies between each of Spains major cities, including a sexually-charged nightlife in Madrid, a classy, casual culture in Sitges and a thriving LGBT community in each of Spains major cities, as well as many smaller towns. With exceptional weather, beautiful scenery, awe-inspiring architecture and a rich history and culture, the reasons to partake in gay vacations to Spain are limitless.

There are many must-see stops when traveling through Spain, including its most welcoming cities, towns and islands, such as Benidorm, Barcelona, Ibiza, Gran Canaria, Torremolinos, Valencia and Sitges. Most of these destinations for Spain gay tours have spectacular beaches and each offers an enticing nightlife and active community. Madrid is definitely the city of choice for travelers looking for a lively, over-the-top scene, while Gran Canaria and Ibiza provide for a more laidback beach vacation and Torremolinos and Valencia provide a good combination of beaches and bars.

Travelers looking for remarkable architecture, art and culture in a welcoming environment will not want to miss Barcelona, home to more community establishments, restaurants, bars, bathhouses and clubs than anywhere else in the country. Many of the establishments are located in the LEixample neighborhood, making this area a favorite among LGBT tourists and locals alike. As one of the most welcoming, cosmopolitan cities in Europe, Barcelona has everything you need from bars to beaches and boasts a lively LGBT community that is active and visible. During gay trips to Barcelona, another LGBT hotspot that is worth a visit is the seaside community of Sitges, just 35 kilometers to the south.

When making your travel plans for your trip to Spain, you might want to consider traveling to this magnificent country as part of a tour organized through a company specializing in gay travel tours around the world. Traveling with an organized group allows you to discover your vacation destination with other like-minded travelers while making new friends with which to share your new experiences.

If you prefer to explore alone, or with your partner or a small group friends, consider arranging your trip through a professional travel agency that is accustomed to organizing gay tours to Spain. This will help ensure that you have a great travel experience that is safe and enjoyable.

Howie Holben has traveled the world learning from indigenous peoples. Spirit Journeys is a gay travel company centered on awareness travel. They have exceptional gay trips and they host an extraordinary gay tour. You can learn more about Howie, his work and spiritual at www.SpiritJourneys.com.

An Overview Of Gay Vacations To Australia

There is a phenomenal vacation destination, filled with one-of-a-kind adventures and exciting locales. Its cities are urbane and vibrant, perfect for gay travel. It is a land of wonders so diverse, with natural and manmade settings so remarkable, it is almost indescribable. Where? Australia!

Australia offers the gay traveler an impressive and welcoming destination unlike any other in the world. It is no wonder gay couples and singles are heading “Down Under” for the experience of a lifetime.

When you’re in Australia you are rarely far from experiences that will excite you as never before. For the wine connoisseur, try going to Yarra, Coal River or Swan Valleys. Visit the wineries and their tasting rooms to experience first-hand the contrast between a smooth white and smoky red. Excitement junkies can go diving on the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland or Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia.

At Ningaloo, visitors can swim with giant whale sharks, a gentle yet intimidating animal. In Darwin Harbor in the Northern Territory, visitors dive through World War II shipwrecks that now house fish and other marine life. Or how about hiking through Tasmania’s national parks and ancient cool-temperature rainforests, home to ancient flora and exotic animals, such as the Tasmanian tree frog?

No gay traveler’s Australian trek would be complete without a stop in Melbourne, the second-largest city in Australia. It is a multi-cultural metropolis where sedate Victorian architecture effortlessly fuses with contemporary offerings. In this friendly locale, the gay traveler can study sculptures in Werrebee Park, shop high-end or discount clothiers and funky boutiques, take in a musical or comedy at the theater, and cap it all off with a visit to one of Melbourne’s trendy clubs, or even a coffee bar!

The food, yes the food.. from purely Australian, to Asian, with a generous helping of Mediterranean, French and other exotic offerings, there is enough to satisfy the most discerning palate.

Australia is located in the Southern Hemisphere, its seasons are upside down from those of the Northern Hemisphere. Summer in Australia takes place December through February. Australia is a very big continent, so check with your travel agent for weather information about your particular time of travel and your destination.

Australia welcomes its visitors with diverse accommodations: bed-and-breakfast inns, romantic getaways, relaxing spas, hotels and hostels, making gay tours to Australia affordable, no matter what the budget.

A gay travel tours article by world traveler Howie Holben. Howie’s group, Spirit Journeys is known for their exceptional gay tours. You can go to http://www.SpiritJourneys.com for more information about Howie and spiritual gay vacations.

Gay Travel Tips for Bhutan

The nation of Bhutan is a tiny Buddhist kingdom tucked into the remote Himalayas between India and Tibet. Here, visitors will discover a rich way of life that has only recently begun to be exposed to modern mindsets and Western culture. This devoutly Buddhist country is home to a distinct culture that is based on age-old Buddhist beliefs and practices and maintains a solid footing in tradition. The government of Bhutan monitors tourism closely as national leaders work hard to protect the cultural heritage and pristine natural beauty of Bhutan, balanced with allowing the adoption of modern technologies and conveniences to enhance the lives of the Bhutanese people.

To this end, the number of tour groups and tourists allowed to visit Bhutan each year is limited. While Bhutanese culture is very conservative and traditional, the warm, friendly Bhutanese people welcome gay travel tours, just as they would any other guest to their country. Due to the limited tourism allowed, anyone who has the opportunity to travel to this mystical mountain kingdom should take full advantage of experiencing all that the country of Bhutan has to offer.

Bhutan has no LGBT scene to speak of; therefore, a gay vacation planned to this magnificent mountain kingdom would certainly not be planned with the intent of experiencing a distinct LGBT community or visiting LGBT establishments. Of course, this is not to say that same-gender behaviors and relationships do not occur. These activities are actually common and accepted and there is a significant amount of bisexual sexual behavior practiced among Bhutanese men.

Most of these men are either married to women or are monastic monks and these behaviors are not considered taboo, and do not influence how one identifies. In fact, there are no words to describe sexual orientation in this regions language; sexual expression is simply part of everyday life. A law from over 100 years ago is still on the books that criminalizes same-sex sexual behavior and allows for punishments that include life imprisonment; however, there are no indications that this law has ever been enforced.

Choosing gay vacations to Bhutan opens visitors up to a chance to fully experience a culture that has been isolated from the outside world until just three decades ago. From hiking in the majestic Himalayas to visiting mountainside Buddhist monasteries and exploring the valleys below, Bhutan is an ideal atmosphere for a spiritual renewal or awakening.

For the most enjoyable, fulfilling experience, it is highly recommended that you visit Bhutan as part of a gay vacations tour, which will provide numerous opportunities to experience all that Bhutan has to offer, while ensuring that you respectfully experience the culture and traditions of this land that has only recently opened its doors to newcomers.

The author is Howie Holben, the owner of Spirit Journeys, a gay travel and gay vacations company that specializes in spiritual travel. Learn more about Howie, his work and spiritual travel at www.SpiritJourneys.com.

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