President Biden Signs Historic Respect For Marriage Act, Protecting Same-Sex Marriages
What Does The Respect For Marriage Act Mean?
Source: svetikd / Getty
Under the Respect for Marriage Act, the government cannot deny marriage to two individuals on the basis of sex, ethnicity, race or country of origin. It also mandates federal recognition of same-sex marriage across state lines. No matter where a couple is married, they have the right to live in any other state and still see their marriage rights recognized.
On a practical but very impactful level, the act ensures that same-sex married couples will receive federal spousal benefits previously reserved for opposite-sex couples. These include items such as social security benefits, veteran benefits, health insurance, exemption from gift taxes and claiming children as dependents on taxes.
With these federal benefits secured for same-sex couples, the government is showing a much-needed sign of respect not only for same-sex couples but also for the families that they build together.
RELATED CONTENT: Same Sex Survivors Are Now Eligible For Social Security Benefits
