"Joy" wrote in message
...
Just wondering.....

This is speculation on my part, since I'm heterosexual, but I think that
things like being able to cover each other on health insurance, social
security benefits, the ability to file income tax jointly, being able to
sit
with each other in the intensive care unit, bereavement leave, FMLA rights
to care for a sick spouse or spouses children, ability to make medical
decisions for a sick spouse, immigration access for spouses, spousal
privilege in lawsuits, and so forth would matter just as much to gay
couples
as straight couples.

Don't forget that all important inheritance tax (AKA death tax). A person
can leave unlimited assets to their spouse and no taxes would be owing. But
if you are not married, the tax kicks in on estates just over $1 million
which when you think about it is not all that large an amount. Almost anyone
who starts out saving at a young age, saves modestly and invests in common
stocks can accumulate that much in a few decades. The tax rates can go as
high as 55%. Many gay people has substantial assets and marriage would
protect them from the tax man. The inheritance tax is supposedly semi
repealed but for now it is in force.
--
Ajax Telamon
"No profession or occupation is more
pleasing than the military; a profession
or exercise both noble in execution
and noble in its cause. No utility either
more just or universal than the
protection of the repose or defence
of the greatness of one's country.
The company and daily conversation
of so many noble, young and active
men cannot but be well-pleasing to you."

Michel de Montaigne (1588)