This just in from U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02), co-chair of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus who applauds today’s decision by the U.S. Department of Treasury to recognize all legally married gay & lesbian couples regardless of whether or not they live in a state that recognizes marriage equality. The ruling means that married gay & lesbian couples, including Pocan & his husband Phil, who were married in Canada in 2006, can now receive all federal marriage-based tax benefits, including employee benefits, child tax credits & gift & estate taxes. Congressman Pocan stated, “I applaud the Department of Treasury for siding with equality & treating all legally married couples in America the same. Loving same gender couples should not be afraid they could lose their federal benefits or protections simply by moving to another state. Today’s decision continues our nation’s forceful progress toward recognizing the rights & responsibilities of all loving couples.” The decision follows the Supreme Court’s ruling in June that struck down Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) & required the federal government to recognize married gay & lesbian couples in states that recognize marriage equality. Today’s decision expands on the ruling & recognizes all couples married in jurisdictions that recognize marriage equality.
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Here in TN, they’ve gone as far as to declare this Saturday “Traditional Marriage Day” in which the bill passing this new state holiday quotes The Holy Bible. Why does the State feel it has the right to continually define marriage? Exactly what is “Traditional” Marriage in Tennessee seeing as even Interracial Marriage is STILL outlawed by the State Constitution along with Same Sex Marriage? http://dregstudiosart.blogspot.com/2013/08/on-wrong-side-of-hypocrisy-traditional.html
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