Tax Season Serves as a Reminder How the "Defense of Marriage Act" Harms Same-Sex Couples and Costs All Taxpayers Billions of Dollars

NATIONAL JOINT PRESS RELEASE - MARRIAGE EQUALITY USA, HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN, AND JOIN THE IMPACT

Washington D.C.: As millions of Americans file their income taxes, a coalition of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender advocacy groups call attention to the tax inequities facing same-sex couples as a result of the state and federal laws that refuse to recognize or extend civil marriage protections to same-sex couples.

Marriage Equality USA, Join the Impact and the Human Rights Campaign have collectively organized a series of events at U. S. Post Offices across the nation to highlight the ongoing moral and financial costs of denying marriage equality to same-sex couples—as well as the consequences paid by all Americans as a result of these discriminatory state and federal laws.

"Each tax season, same-sex couples sit at their dining room tables and are forced to live a legal lie by checking 'single' despite their decades together and then arbitrarily dividing up their joint household's income, expenses, and dependents," said Molly McKay, Marriage Equality USA Media Director. "Then we write checks to the IRS for social security taxes, knowing that when we die our families will not even have access to any of the family 'safety net' benefits provided in the form of social security survivor benefits, estate tax deferral, and other programs that we help fund through our tax dollars and that only heterosexual couples and their children will enjoy."

"The tax inequities faced by loving, committed lesbian and gay couples make them less able to care for each other and their families," said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. "Even lesbians and gays in states that do legally recognize their unions are penalized by the federal government simply for building a family with the person they love. This is an injustice that can and must end."

"Whether couples are married, civil unioned or have no state protections under state law, all same-sex couples in the United States are treated as 'single' under federal law. The U.S. Census has declared that they will not recognize married same-sex couples as "married" in the 2010 Census. We cannot allow our community to be erased," said Amy Balliett, co-founder of Join the Impact. "Tax season is yet another time where same-sex couples are reminded that despite abiding by the requirements of American citizenship by paying our taxes, we are still are treated as second class citizens."

A study produced by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) debunks the myth that granting same-sex couples the freedom to marry would cost the government money. In fact, it would save taxpayer dollars. Same-sex couples aren't the only ones paying for marriage discrimination, all taxpayers fund this discrimination which amounts to as much as $1 billion nationwide. To read the CBO study, visit http://www.cbo.gov/doc.cfm?index=5559&type=0.


NOTE TO EDITORS:
Founded in 1998, Marriage Equality USA is a national grassroots organization whose mission is to secure legally recognized civil marriage equality for all, at the federal and state level, without regard to gender identity or sexual orientation . For more information go to www.marriageequality.org

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all. For more information go to www.hrc.org

Join the Impact is a national grassroots organization whose mission is to empower grassroots direct action across the nation. For more information go to www.jointheimpact.com

Marriage Equality USA Celebrates 'Freedom and Unity' - Vermont Legislature Overrides Veto and Approves Same-Sex Marriage

Oakland, California - "Today, Vermont legislators lived up to their state motto – freedom and unity – and their override of the Governor's veto ensures that thousands of same-sex couples living in Vermont will have the freedom to marry the person they love," said Molly McKay, Marriage Equality USA Media Director. "We know in our hearts, it is only a matter of time for America to turn its back on this history of discrimination against same-sex couples. To witness within a week the Iowa Supreme Court's unanimous decision, followed by Vermont's legislative stand, both in support of marriage equality gives us hope that we may be able to live our happily ever afters sooner than we think."

"We hope the California Supreme Court recognizes how its leadership in last May's marriage decision contributed to these changes in the heartland and across the country," said Pamela Brown, Marriage Equality USA Policy Director. "The Court must continue to illustrate this leadership by overturning Prop 8 and ensure that equal protection and fundamental rights mean something…that they just can't be plucked away in a willy-nilly fashion from minority groups by the majority."

Marriage Equality USA Celebrates Iowa Supreme Court’s Favorable Decision

Des Moines, IA - "Today is another historic day for Iowans in our long history of equality and fairness for individual liberties. The Iowa Court has declared that the promise of 'liberty and justice for all' includes marriage equality for Iowans like myself and Marla who have been together for twenty-five years." said Phyllis Stevens, Chapter Leader of Marriage Equality USA-Central Iowa, who married her wife, Marla Stevens, in Canada in 2003, and whose marriage will now be legally recognized under today’s court ruling.

The Iowa State Supreme Court Opinion concludes, "We are firmly convinced that the exclusion of gay and lesbian people from the institution of civil marriage does not substantially further any important governmental objective. The legislature has excluded a historically disfavored class of persons from a supremely important civil institution without a constitutionally sufficient justification. There is no material fact, genuinely in dispute, that can affect this determination."

Equal protection under the Iowa Constitution "is essentially a direction that all persons similarly situated should be treated alike."

Across the United States, Marriage Equality USA chapters will be hosting local celebrations. "Marriage equality is popping up all over, so we will celebrate with an Iowa staple…. popcorn….which we will hand out in partnership with local movie houses across the state," said Molly McKay Media Director of Marriage Equality USA. "We are so glad to see that the value of fairness and equality for all has resonated today in America’s Heartland. The tradition of extending civil rights to all minorities continues and that is a good thing."

"Iowa joins the growing number of states that recognize that marriage discrimination is both un-American and unconstitutional. Our country is a nation which guarantees the rights of all of its citizens to be treated equally under the law," said Stuart Gaffney Marriage Equality USA Asian Pacific Islander Outreach Director. "Just a generation ago, my parents were legally married in California, because the California Supreme Court overturned the state’s law prohibiting interracial couples from marrying, but faced government discrimination against their marriage when they moved to Missouri and waited until 1967 for the U.S. Supreme Court to strike down the bans on interracial marriage. My husband, John, and I married in California last year, and we believe that marriage discrimination against same-sex couples will end soon, too, and that our marriage will be recognized throughout the country."

"While we celebrate history being made in Iowa today, we must remember that federal law continues to deny all same-sex couples access to the 1,138 federal rights, benefits, and protections that come with civil marriage recognition at the federal level. The federal government continues to maintain a second class citizenry in direct violation of the equal protection guarantees contained in the U.S. Constitution." stated Davina Kotulski, Ph.D. Author of Why You Should Give A Damn About Gay Marriage, who spoke last week about marriage equality with students from Iowa State and Drake Universities hosted by Lynn Fallon and her husband, Former State Legislator and marriage equality pioneer Ed Fallon, and the Marriage Equality USA-Central Iowa chapter. "We will not rest until there is equal justice under law for all Gay Americans."

PICTURED: Pictured in this undated handout photo released by Lamda Legal, are Dawn, left, and Jen BarbouRoske and their two daughters in Iowa City, Iowa. The lesbian couple are plaintiffs in a challenge to Iowa's ban on same-sex marriage. The state Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments in the case on Tuesday in Des Moines. (AP Photo/Lambda Legal)

JUMBOTRON OR BUST

On the morning of March 5th, the California Supreme Court will hold a hearing to determine whether Proposition 8, which eliminated the fundamental right of same-sex couples to marry, should be overturned.

Thousands of students from Southern California are bussing in to see history made - there is practically no public seating in the court or overflow room. Help us ensure that the community can come together and watch our advocates make our case!

Marriage Equality USA is seeking donations so we can provide a jumbotron and speaker system that will allow thousands and thousands of supporters to witness this historic hearing just outside the steps of the California Supreme Court.

We also believe this March 5th event will not only provide a great opportunity for visibility, but significant public education to illustrate why Prop 8 should be overturned.
Help us make this dream a reality. All donations are tax deductible.

Go to www.firstgiving.com/supremecourtjumbotron to help

Same-Sex Couples Engage in National Marriage Counter Actions/Call on California Supreme Court and U.S. Pres. Obama to Ensure Marriage Equality

Oakland, California: On National Freedom to Marry Day, Thursday, February 12, 2009, at local marriage counters in cities all over the country, same-sex couples will request marriage licenses at their local County Clerk's Offices to raise awareness of the harms and impact the inability to marry causes on their families.

"This feels like ground hog year in California," said Molly McKay, Marriage Equality USA Media Director, "It was this time last year when we looked to the State Supreme Court to declare marriage equality the law of the land and here we are again, veil in hand, asking the State Supreme Court to protect the minority against the tyranny of the majority and stand for fairness for all. Over 18,000 same-sex couples married in California last year. We had hoped to retire this annual action once and for all, but alas.....we lost our fundamental right to marry the person we love by a 2% vote of the majority and until Proposition 8 is repealed, we are back to the marriage counters to once again highlight the discrimination that the county clerk must enforce for now. I’m thankful to be married, but afraid that our lives are once again on the chopping block. When will this end, so we can just all live our happily ever afters and move on with our lives?"

"Whether we are married, domestic partnered, civil unioned or legal strangers under our particular state law, all same-sex couples are denied the 1,138 federal rights of marriage," said Amy Balliett, founder of Join the Impact. "With the support of President Obama and with the growing sea change towards supporting protections for same-sex couples, we are hopeful that we can finally turn our attention to overturning the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), passed in 1996, and work together to uphold the American tradition of fairness and equality by ending marriage discrimination once and for all."

"Since 2001, Marriage Equality USA chapters have engaged in these annual marriage counter actions to render visible the discrimination that is enforced every day. It is an affront to our basic dignity as fellow human beings when same-sex couples are turned away from the marriage counter, but it gives us the opportunity to tell our stories and show that we live in every community and want to honor and protect our families like everyone else," said McKay. "Marriage discrimination is wrong and harms real-life families. All Americans deserve equal treatment under the law. The time has come."

For a list of marriage counter actions happening across the country on Freedom to Marry Week go to www.marriageequality.org and/or www.jointheimpact.com.

# # # # #

Founded in 2000, Marriage Equality USA is a national grassroots organization whose mission is to secure legally recognized civil marriage equality for all, at the federal and state level, without regard to gender identity or sexual orientation . For more information go to www.marriageequality.org.

Founded in 2008, Join the Impact is a national direct action community whose mission is to secure equality for the LGBT community. For more information go to www.jointheimpact.com.

# # # # #

Partial List of Marriage Counter Events at County Clerks Offices by State
(including Arizona, California, Florida, Kentucky, New York, and Utah)

ARIZONA

Phoenix
Noon - 1pm; Thursday, 02/12/09
County Clerk's Office, 601 W. Jackson, Phoenix, AZ
Please direct all questions and press inquiries to Chapter leader John Allard at phoenix@marriageequality.org or 602-920-8010

Tucson
Noon - 1pm; Thursday, 02/12/09
County Clerk's Office, Church St. side of 110 W. Congress, Tucson, AZ
Please direct all questions and press inquiries Chapter leader
John Allard at tucson@marriageequality.org or 602-920-8010

CALIFORNIA

Alameda County
10:30 am – 1 pm
NOTE: the local office is closed 2/12; event will take place on Saturday, 02/14/09
County Clerk’s Office, 1106 Madison St, Oakland, CA 94607
Please direct all questions and press inquiries to local contact person
Rally from 10:30 am until 1:00 pm - Counter Action from 11:00 until 12:30
Karen Fernandez : ca-alameda@marriageequality.org or 510-495-4756.

Contra Costa County
3:30 pm; Thursday, 02/12/09
County Clerk’s Office, 555 Escobar, Martinez, CA 94553
Please direct all questions and press inquiries to local contact person
Leslie Stewart at ca-contracosta@marriageequality.org or (925) 765-6064

Fresno County
12pm Noon; Thursday, 02/12/09
County Clerk’s Office, 2221 Kern Street, Fresno, CA 93722
Please direct all questions and press inquiries to ca-fresno@marriageequality.org or contact chapter leader Jason Scott at 559-862-4559

Humboldt County
11:30am - 1 pm; Friday, 02/13/09
County Clerk’s Office, 825 5th Street, Room 108, Eureka, CA 95501
Please direct all questions and press inquiries to MEUSA leader Stanley Smith-Hanes at
ca-humboldt@marriageequality.org or 707-362-9430

Kern County
12:00 pm; Thursday, 02/12/09
County Clerk’s Office, 1115 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301
Please direct all questions and press inquiries to chapter leader/Bakersfield GLBTQ leader Whitney Weddell at ca-bakersfield@marriagequality.org or 661-204-3180.

Kings County
Noon-1:00 pm; Thursday, 02/12/09
County Clerk’s Office, 1400 W Lacey Blvd Hanford, CA 93230
Please direct all questions and press inquiries to chapter leader Hope Attenhofer at
ca-kings@marriageequality.org or (559) 635-8862

Lake County
Noon; Thursday, 02/12/09
County Clerk’s Office, 255 Frobes Street, Lakeport, CA 95453
Please direct all questions and press inquiries to chapter leaders Laura LaMonico
ca-lake@marriageequality.org or (707)367-1557

Los Angeles County (multiple locations)
Friday, 02/13/09

1. Beverly Hills location 10:00 am
Beverly Hills Courthouse, 9355 Burton Way, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Join Robin Tyler and Diane Olson and Rev. Troy Perry and Phillip De Blieck, the Los Angeles lead couples in the upcoming CA Supreme Court Marriage Case, and their attorney, Gloria Allred. Please direct all questions and press inquiries to Robin Tyler at robintyler@aol.com or (818)893-4075 or Gloria Allred at (323)653-6530

2. Lancaster location Noon -1pm
Lancaster Courthouse, 1028 W. Avenue J2, Lancaster, CA
Please direct all questions and press inquiries to Chapter Leaders Peter Wolf and Geoff Scowcroft at ca-losangeles@marriageequality.org or (818) 688-2910

3. LAX location Noon-1pm
LAX Courthouse, 11701 S. LaCienega Blvd. 6th Floor, Los Angeles.
Please direct all questions and press inquiries to Chapter Leaders Peter Wolf and Geoff Scowcroft at ca-losangeles@marriageequality.org or (818) 688-2910.

4. Downtown LA location- Noon – 1pm
Los Angeles Clerk’s Office, 4716 East Cesar Chavez Ave, Los Angeles, CA
Please direct all questions and press inquiries to Chapter Leaders Peter Wolf and Geoff Scowcroft at ca-losangeles@marriageequality.org or (818) 688-2910.

5. Norwalk location Noon – 1pm
Norwalk Clerk’s Office, 12400 Imperial Highway, Norwalk, CA
Please direct all questions and press inquiries to Chapter Leaders Peter Wolf and Geoff Scowcroft at ca-losangeles@marriageequality.org or (818) 688-2910.

Marin County
9:00 am and RALLY AT 4pm; Thursday, 02/12/09
9:00 am Meet at County Clerk’s Office, 3501 Civic Center Drive, Room 247, San Rafael, CA 94913
Contact Spectrum LGBT Center and Paula Pilecki at pilecki@spectrumLGBTcenter.org or 415-457-1115 ext 209 Also Join us for a Marriage Equality Rally at 4-6pm Meet at Third and Irwin Sts, San Rafael. Contact: Chapter leader Dolores Caruthers at ca-marin@marriageequality.org or 415-497-6469

Merced County
3:30 pm; Thursday, 02/12/09
County Clerk’s Office, 2222 M St, Rm 14 Merced, CA
Please direct all questions and press inquiries to Jamie at PFLAG Merced Chapter at pflagmerced@yahoo.com or (209)341-2122

Napa County
TBA

Nevada County
11:45 am; Thursday, 02/12/09
The Rood Center, 950 Maidu Ave., Nevada City, CA 95959
Please direct all questions and press inquiries to chapter leader
Jim Richards and Charlie Landau at ca-nevada@marriageequality.org or (530) 292-3105.

Orange County
12:00 pm
TBA

Placer County
3:30 – 4:30pm
NOTE: the local office is closed 2/12 so this event will take place on Wednesday 2/11
2954 Richardson Drive Auburn, CA 95603
Please direct all questions and press inquiries to chapter leader
Brandon Rossi at ca-placer@marriageequality.org or 530-368-3677

Sacramento County
12:00 pm NOTE: the local office is closed 2/12 so this event will take place on Saturday2/14
County Clerk’s Office, 600 8th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814
Please direct all questions and press inquiries to chapter leader Julie Tindall at ca-sacramento@marriageequality.org.

San Diego County
7:30 - 8:30 am; Thursday, 02/12/09
County Clerk's Office, 1600 Pacific Highway #103, San Diego, CA 92101
Please direct all questions and press inquiries to Marriage Equality USA Chapter leader Fernando Lopez at ca-sandiego@marriageequality.org or 619-861-7939

San Francisco County
Noon – 1pm; Thursday, 02/12/09
County Clerk-Office, Rotunda by the Grand Staircase City Hall, Suite 168, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, San Francisco, CA 94102
Please direct all questions and press inquiries to Marriage Equality USA Chapter leader Alex Liu ca-sanfrancisco@marriageequality.org or 408-823-6344

San Joaquin County
3:30-4:30 pm; Thursday, 02/12/09
Pacific State Bank Building, 6 South El Dorado Street Second Floor, Stockton, CA 95202
Please direct all questions and press inquiries to Marriage Equality USA Chapter leader
Martina Virrey at ca-sanjoaquin@marriageequality.org or (209)518-9102

San Luis Obispo County
12:00 pm
NOTE: the local office is closed 2/12 so this event will take place on Friday 2/13
County Clerk’s Office, 1144 Monterey Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93408
Please direct all questions and press inquiries to local contact person: David Kilburn at dkilburn@charter.net or (805)440-6487

San Mateo County
11:00am -1:00 pm
NOTE: the local office is closed 2/12 so this event will take place on Friday 2/13
County Clerk’s Office, 555 County Center, Redwood City, CA 94063
Please direct all questions and press inquiries to local contact persons:
Lynda Brocchini and Julie Rose at ca-sanmateo@marriageequality.org 650-359-9566 or 650-703-3648

Santa Clara County
6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Note: earlier event at noon was moved back to 6:30 - 7:30
County Clerk's Office, 70 West Hedding Street, East Wing, First floor San Jose CA 95110
Please direct all questions and press inquiries to local contact persons:
Ray Hixson at rayhixson@hotmail.com 650-346-7557 or Rev Mike Ellard (408) 607-5471

Solano County
Noon – 1pm
NOTE: the local office is closed 2/12 so this event will take place on Friday 2/13
County Clerk's Office, 675 Texas Street Suite 1900, Fairfield, CA 94533
Please direct all questions and press inquiries to Marriage Equality USA Chapter leader
Teresa Rowe at ca-solano@marriageequality.org or 707-720-8814.

Sonoma County
4:00 pm; Thursday, 02/12/09
County Clerk's Office, La Plaza W. Building 2300 County Center Drive, Suite B-177, Santa Rosa, California 95403
Please direct all questions and press inquiries to leader Chari Davidson or 707 579-1922.

Stanislaus County
Noon-1:00 pm; Thursday, 02/12/09
County Clerk’s Office, 1021 I Street, Suite 101, Modesto, CA 95354
Please direct all questions and press inquiries to chapter leaders
Beth and Cynthia Holden-Soto at ca-stanislaus@marriageequality.org or (209) 576-5207

Tulare County
Noon-1:00 pm; Thursday, 02/12/09
County Clerk’s Office, 221 S Mooney Blvd, Rm 105 Visalia, CA 93291
Please direct all questions and press inquiries to chapter leader
Jamie Richie at ca-tulare@marriageequality.org or (559) 783 0710

Yolo County
Noon-1:00 pm; Thursday, 02/12/09
County Clerk-Recorder, 625 Court Street, Room 105, Woodland, CA 95695
Please direct all questions and press inquiries to local contact persons:
Ellen Pontac at ep@dcn.org and Shelly Bailes at shelly@dcn.org or 530-753-8283.

FLORIDA

Duval County
3:30 – 4:30 pm; Thursday, 02/12/09
County Clerk’s Office, 330 East Bay St., Room 101, Jacksonville, FL
Rally will be in front of Duval County Courthouse, 330 E. Bay St
Please direct all questions and press inquiries to Marriage Equality USA Chapter leader Yashica Walker at fl-duval@marriageequality.org or 904-386-4080

KENTUCKY

Fayette County
4:00 - 5:00 pm Thursday, 02/12/09
County Clerk's Office, 162 East Main Street Lexington, KY
Please direct all questions and press inquiries to Kentucky Equality Federation or Marriage Equality Kentucky (both Marriage Equality USA Member Organizations) Jordan Palmer at jordanp@kyequality.org, and T. Ashley at trevora@kyequality.org, or (877) KEF-5775 - Ext. 2

Click here to visit the event page from Marriage Equality Kentucky for additional locations.

Jefferson County
1:00 - 2:00 pm Thursday, 02/12/09
County Clerk's Office (Main Branch), 527 W. Jefferson Louisville, KY
Please direct all questions and press inquiries to Kentucky Equality Federation or Marriage Equality Kentucky (both Marriage Equality USA Member Organizations) Jordan Palmer at jordanp@kyequality.org, and T. Ashley at trevora@kyequality.org, or (877) KEF-5775 - Ext. 2

Click here to visit the event page from Marriage Equality Kentucky for additional locations.

Laurel County
10:00 am - 12:00 pm Thursday, 02/12/09
County Clerk's Office 101 S Main St, # 203 London, KY
Please direct all questions and press inquiries to Kentucky Equality Federation or Marriage Equality Kentucky (both Marriage Equality USA Member Organizations) Jordan Palmer at jordanp@kyequality.org, and T. Ashley at trevora@kyequality.org, or (877) KEF-5775 - Ext. 2

Click here to visit the event page from Marriage Equality Kentucky for additional locations.

Madison County
10:00 am - 12:00 pm Thursday, 02/12/09
County Clerk's Office 101 West Main Street - Suite 7 Richmond, KY
Please direct all questions and press inquiries to Kentucky Equality Federation or Marriage Equality Kentucky (both Marriage Equality USA Member Organizations) Jordan Palmer at jordanp@kyequality.org, and T. Ashley at trevora@kyequality.org, or (877) KEF-5775 - Ext. 2

Click here to visit the event page from Marriage Equality Kentucky for additional locations.

NEW YORK

New York County
8:00 am - 10:00 am Thursday, 02/12/09
Manhattan Marriage License Bureau 141 Worth Street - Manhattan, NY
Please direct all questions and press inquiries to Marriage Equality New York (a Marriage Equality USA Member Organization) at ron@meny.us, or (877) 772-0089

Click here to visit the event page from Marriage Equality New York for additional information.

UTAH

Salt Lake County
Noon on Thursday, 12/12/2009
County Clerk 2001 South State Street, Suite S2200, Salt Lake City, UT
Please direct all questions and press inquiries to Utahns for Marriage Equality (a Marriage Equality USA Member Organization), Michael Mueller at m2xdesign@msn.com, or (801) 879-6273