Different rights can't be equal rights

I am writing in response to Mr. Gennuso's letter stating that "Gay Marriage foes aren't discriminating."

In his letter he states, "Every person has the same rights by their unique status as a human being." This is simply not true.

African Americans did not have the same rights as white Americans for well over a hundred years. Thankfully, this has changed. Women were denied the right to vote until the 19th amendment was passed. State laws have prohibited inter-racial marriages based upon a person's status (their race). These are three examples of "every person's rights by their status."

Gays and Lesbians who want to marry are not trying to marry someone else who is legally married (polygamy). Nor are they trying to marry a close relative (incest). They are willing to adhere to the same laws and rights as heterosexual couples.

They are not asking for special rights, rather they are asking for equal rights, equal taxation, and equal treatment.

According to the Government Accounting Office report dated January 24, 2004 "research identified a total of 1,138 federal statutory provisions classified to the United States Code in which marital status is a factor in determining or receiving benefits, rights, and privileges."

Here are a few examples:

• A couple jointly owns a home. One person dies. The other must pay capital gains taxes rather than inheritance taxes to keep the property as they are not considered a legal entity.

• One person covers their "spouse" under domestic partner benefits that their place of work. That individual must pay higher taxes, as the benefit does not qualify for a pre-tax deduction while their heterosexual co-workers can cover their spouse without paying tax on their contribution to the coverage amount.

• A couple is on vacation. One person falls seriously ill and is admitted to the intensive care. Their partner is denied the right to make medical decisions and visitation because they are not married. The person dies. The body is not released to the partner as the partner has no legal rights.

• A couple has been together for 30 years. The main wage earner dies. Their partner cannot collect Social Security survivor benefits, nor are they entitled to the residual pension benefits. The surviving partner loses their home.

The gay community is not looking for special rights. All they want is the same rights as heterosexual couples just as African Americans and women wanted the same rights as other Americans. Nothing more, nothing less.

Dayle Roberts

Palatine