FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Washington, DC – (Aug 29, 2013) – Family Equality Council, the national organization that connects, supports and represents the nation’s three million parents who are gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) and their six million children, today praised an announcement by the U.S. Treasury Department to treat married same-sex couples as married for federal tax purposes. The decision comes in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision that found the Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional. “This announcement is yet another giant step forward for our families,” said Gabriel Blau, Executive Director of the Family Equality Council. “The Federal Government will now acknowledge same-sex couples, and their children, as a family under the tax code regardless of their zip code.” This decision will recognize the legal marriages of same-sex couples, using a “place of celebration” rule which will allow couples and families to file federal tax returns jointly regardless of where they live. “This is a significant win for the millions of our families who work hard, pay taxes and deserve to be recognized equally by the Federal Government. Once again the Obama Administration has demonstrated that they value the lives and contributions of the 3 million LGBT parents in the US raising 6 million children, and will no longer financially penalize them for who they are.” More information about the unique impact of tax laws on LGBT families can be found in the How DOMA Harms Children pull out of the All Children Matter report.
Contact: Sean Carlson | 202.496.1285 | scarlson@familyequality.org