Thread: Neff: Taxes, without gay equality. Why should LGBT people pay taxes?

Neff: Taxes, without gay equality | News Story on 365gay.com

By Lisa Neff, columnist, 365gay.com
04.13.2010 7:53am EDT
Tax day is just days away, and I have yet to file my federal income tax return.
I can remember a time when I filed in early January, soon after I received my wage-income documents from my employers. I was eager to file, because I felt patriotic paying my taxes, even in those years when I disagreed with the direction of the administration or Congress or both. I also usually received a refund, and still do.




But these past years, I’ve put off filing because I hate checking “single” for my marital status. Sixteen years into my relationship, I just don’t feel single.

There is no equality for LGBT people in the US. Why should they pay taxes. They do not receive equal treatment as they are considered second class citizens because of the marriage laws. It is unfair that they should have to pay single taxes when many would be filling jointly as they would be married. The laws are unfair and there needs to be a protest against this injustice.

Originally Posted by Churlant

Protest is fine. Violation of the law is not. If we want to follow this logic set, then any number of minorities (Native Americans, blacks, Mormons, abnormally short or obese people) could claim the same exemption from paying their taxes.

All of the groups you mention have not been specifically legislated against. LGBT people have had legislation made against them. They are the only group that has ever had a constitution altered to take away their rights. You miss the point. Your examples are not the same at all not even close.

If you're trying to push conservatives to change their stance on gay marriage, s"tarving the beast" isn't going to do it.
Tax protests end up punishing the wrong people for the crime.
If the idea is to use the power of the gay community's spending, I'd suggest organizing a boycott of those companies that put money into anti-gay campaigns.

Originally Posted by JavaBlack

If you're trying to push conservatives to change their stance on gay marriage, s"tarving the beast" isn't going to do it.
Tax protests end up punishing the wrong people for the crime.
If the idea is to use the power of the gay community's spending, I'd suggest organizing a boycott of those companies that put money into anti-gay campaigns.

That worked against Coors beer in San Fran during the time of Harvey Milk. This tax fight has been brought up over and over. The problem is that the LGBT community is a very small minority and would not have the power to have an effect.

Originally Posted by katiegrrl0

That worked against Coors beer in San Fran during the time of Harvey Milk. This tax fight has been brought up over and over. The problem is that the LGBT community is a very small minority and would not have the power to have an effect.

Then what is their effect on tax revenues?
The problem is that even if they have an effect, the result would be poor people going without food, soldiers going without armor, or just more to add to the deficit for future generations.
And this all plays into the hands of the allies/suppliers of the anti-gay movement. The more government is crippled, the happier they are.

Originally Posted by JavaBlack

Then what is their effect on tax revenues?
The problem is that even if they have an effect, the result would be poor people going without food, soldiers going without armor, or just more to add to the deficit for future generations.
And this all plays into the hands of the allies/suppliers of the anti-gay movement. The more government is crippled, the happier they are.

It simply is a question. Should people who are treated like second class citizens when it comes to the payment of taxes be forced to pay them? I married couple files jointly and it is a savings. A same sex couple that has been together get to file single returns. How fair is that? The taxes are not fair to LGBT people who are in a relationship. Should they not be equal across the board. Either give the joint status to all that are in relationships or no one. The way the law is now it discriminates against the LGBT community.

Originally Posted by Dangermouse

Women on average, earn up to a third less than men in similar jobs, in spite of equal pay legislation. Should they withhold taxes too?

Again a false example. Women have the same rights as men. I had to fight to get equal pay and equal news assignments. Women can alter that. LGBT cannot alter their situation. The laws do not give them the same rights. Maybe we should try comparing equal examples.