The Economic Impact of Same-Sex Marriage on Today's Society

Abstract

The traditional concept of marriage for the purpose of procreation is being challenged by one of the smaller states, Massachusetts, with the advent of same-sex marriage. With the court decision in the landmark case Goodridge v. Department of Public Health (440 Mass. 309 [2003]), the Massachusetts courts were forced to provide equal marriage rights to homosexual couples. With marriage rights being debated, same-sex married couples began to look at the impact marriage would have on their economic status. The government quickly passed both DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act) in 1996 and FMA (Federal Marriage Act) in 2003 that specifically stated that same-sex marriages are not recognized within the federal government. Thus, homosexual married couples face problems economically in five areas: insurance and beneficiaries, taxes and governmental aid, estate planning and retirement, employee benefits, and children. Each of these areas has hurdles for same-sex couples; however, with guidance, some of these bridges may be crossed. In addition, one realizes that married homosexuals should have basic rights that are provided to heterosexual married couples. By looking at four different factual perspectives of homosexuals from Massachusetts, a more encompassing picture can be seen. By combining factual economics with humanistic qualities, same-sex marriage has a strong case in the courts. These new laws in Massachusetts are being compared to those of other states and the impact that this may have on the future.