I'm writing a speech on gay marriage, and having trouble finding certain information...?

[siuaghan]

I'm writing a speech on the gay marriage ban and its negative affects. I can only find rights that gay people have been granted for domestic partnership, but I can't find anything on what gay people don't have a right to. I'm looking mostly for what applys to Wisconsin, but any other information will help! = )

So...
1) What rights do homosexual couples lack when it comes to finances and taxes?
2) What kinds of rights do they lack when it comes to adopting children or raising a family?
3) When a gay couple gets married in a state that allows it, is it still considered unrecognized in other states that don't allow it? What about Wisconsin?
4) In a domestic partnership or marriage, what are other negative problems that gay people face that affect thier life or future because of the law?

Those are the main questions I have. Please feel free to add any other information that may help with my speech. Thanks!

[jordi]

I'm writing a speech on the gay marriage ban and its negative affects. I can only find rights that gay people have been granted for domestic partnership, but I can't find anything on what gay people don't have a right to. I'm looking mostly for what applys to Wisconsin, but any other information will help! = )

So...
1) What rights do homosexual couples lack when it comes to finances and taxes?
2) What kinds of rights do they lack when it comes to adopting children or raising a family?
3) When a gay couple gets married in a state that allows it, is it still considered unrecognized in other states that don't allow it? What about Wisconsin?
4) In a domestic partnership or marriage, what are other negative problems that gay people face that affect thier life or future because of the law?

Those are the main questions I have. Please feel free to add any other information that may help with my speech. Thanks!

Defense of Marriage Act of 1996

1) Gay couples cannot file taxes together and/or claim each other as dependents. Most insurance companies deny gay couples family/spousal coverage plans.
2) The adoption process is much longer and gay couples are investigated much more thoroughly. Since the process takes longer, it is usually a lot more expensive. Some adoption agencies do not allow gay couples to adopt, instead letting only one person in the marriage/union adopt. Single parent adoptions are also extremely long, intensive, and expensive.
3) Gay marriages are legal in 5 states (CT, MA, IA, NH, VT), Washington D.C., and one Native American tribe and are recognized in an additional 3 states (MD, RI, NY). Wisconsin does not recognize gay marriages.
4) The whole subject is pretty taboo, unfortunately. People rarely like to discuss it, which leads to ignorance, especially in school. Children of gay parents might be harassed in some places. The Defense of Marriage Act also effectively makes it so that gay spouses cannot be named next of kin in the event of death. This means that if a gay person dies, his or her partner most likely won't inherit the insurance money or his/her possessions like a heterosexual spouse would. The list goes on.

Best of luck.

[bearchan]

1. They don't pay as a couple
2. They don't pay as a couple and need to go through a lot of adoption deals
3. Yes, they should continue to live in that state so they don't have to deal with any other problems like question 1 and 2 asked
4. When they take their child to the doctors, they want one person to be a parent, people look at them strangely. They will always get asked "who's the father?" Or "who's the mother"