While most of the debate over Gay marriage revolves around what to call it and who must perform it, the real crux of the issue are the rights and responsibilities granted to a couple by the state. Same-sex couples are discriminated against in not receiving over 1,100 rights and benefits that are provided by Federal law to heterosexual couples. These include inheritance rights, survivorship rights, medical rights, and financial and property rights.

The Economic Stimulus plan agreed to by the Congress and the White House is a prime example of the disparities that same-sex couples encounter in taxation. Under the proposed plan, a single person earning up to $75,000 per year would receive a $600 tax rebate. A married couple earning up to $150,000 would receive $1,200. Above the $75,000 single and $150,000 married limits the tax rebates are phased out.

Given these rules, Gay and Lesbian couples with primary wage earners are at a distinct disadvantage to their straight counterparts. Take these scenarios as examples:

Bob and Mary are a married straight couple. Bob works part time and earns $20,000 per year. Mary works full time and earns $95,000 per year. Their total household income is $115,000. Since their household income falls below the $150,000 join threshold, they would receive the full $1,200 tax rebate.

Madge and Cheryl are a Lesbian couple. Cheryl works part time and earns $20,000 per year. Madge works full time and earns $95,000 per year. Their total household income is $115,000, however, since their relationship is not legally recognized, the rules for single taxpayers would apply to them. Cheryl would be entitled to a $600 tax rebate but Madge would be excluded from the rebate due to her income being above the $75,000 limit.

In essence, the government would be applying a $600 “Gay Tax” to Madge and Cheryl for being Lesbians in a committed relationship instead of being a heterosexual married couple. And while this is just a scenario for discussion, in reality there will be thousands of Gay and Lesbian couples affected by this proposal and by the “Gay Tax” imposed by the Democratic Congress and Republican President.

I know that $600 doesn’t seem like much money, but this $600 is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of financial and legal discrimination that Gay and Lesbian couples face from our government every day. We must pay higher taxes on inherited property, pay taxes on spousal health benefits (if available), and we lose Social Security survivor benefits that our partners worked their entire lives to build. In short, Gay and Lesbians face not only social, but financial discrimination due to the policies and laws of the United States. It just doesn’t seem fair, does it?