Obama’s budget proposal includes social security benefits for all couples gay or straight
President Barack Obama has unveiled a new budget proposal, which includes changes to social security which would mean all couples, gay or straight, would be eligible for spousal benefits.
The proposed $4 trillion budget would mean even gay couples who live outside of the 36 states which allow same-sex marriage would be allowed to receive the benefits.
Under current law only same-sex married couples who live in those states are entitled to the benefits.
Unlike the situation faced by straight couples, if gay or lesbian couples relocate out of the 36 states, then they lose the social security benefits.
“Under this proposal, such married couples would have access to these benefits,” reads the budget
This is the first time Obama has suggested a change such as this.
The proposed change to the Social Security Act would have to pass a Republican-led Congress, which is divided on the issue of same-sex marriage.
A bill was introduced last Thursday in the US houses of Congress which seeks to promote the rights of LGBT people around the globe.
The International Human Rights Defense Act was introduced by Democrats Senator Edward Markey of Massachusetts and Representative Alan Lowenthal of California.
“When President Obama addressed the nation and committed to defending the human rights of the LGBT community, we made that commitment to the world,” Markey said in a statement, referring to theState of the Union address earlier this month.
