Benefits Bill Aims To Go Beyond Marriage, Protect Gay Couples In Civil Unions

[DriftingCrow]

http://www.buzzfeed.com/chrisgeidner/benefits-bill-aims-to-go-beyond-marriage-protect-gay-couples
Author: Chris Geidner Source: BuzzFeed

"As the federal government adjusts the bureaucracy to life after the Defense of Marriage Act's federal ban on recognizing same-sex couples' marriages, new legislation raises the question of how those still without marriage rights are going to be treated by the federal government. California Rep. Linda Sánchez wants federal protection for same-sex couples to go beyond current recognition for same-sex married couples, introducing legislation Friday that would provide equal Social Security benefits not just for same-sex couples who are married but also for those in civil unions or comprehensive domestic partnerships. "

The bill is called the Social Security Act of 2013 and has 109 co-sponsors.