Family Matters
Securing Equal Treatment under Federal Law for Same-Sex Couples and Our ChildrenFederal law provides more than 1,100 benefits and protections to married couples and their children, in addition to hundreds of legal rights in every state.
Most same-sex couples have no legal recognition in their states, and because of the so-called "Defense of Marriage Act," a federal law passed in 1996, same-sex couples are denied each and every federal right protection and obligation – even if they are married or have a civil union in their home state.
- Download the Family Matters Brochure Here (PDF).
Our Families Matter
HRC is working with businesses, congressional allies and out community to promote legislation that will provide us with equal rights under law, and with equal contributions.These are family matters - the right to take away from work to care for a loved one without risking losing your job; knowing that should you die, your partners and child will receive the Social Security survivor benefits that you've paid for during your entire work live; getting equal pay for your equal contribution as a federal employee or as a veteran; the opportunity to provide health insurance to your family without paying a tax penalty; securing your retirement savings for your family; and so much more.
Federal Legislation on These Issues
- The Domestic Partnership Benefits Obligations Act
- Tax Equity for Health Plan Beneficiaries
- Family and Medical Leave Act
Domestic Partnership Benefits Obligations Act
- Human Rights Campaign Statement on Introduction of the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act
- Domestic Partnership Benefits Obligation Act Bill Text H.R. 4838 (PDF)
- Domestic Partnership Benefits Obligation Act Bill Text S. 2521 (PDF)
- HRC's Health Care Access testimony from McDermott hearing (PDF)
Tax Equity for Health Plan Beneficiaries
- Federal Legislation to Provide Fair Tax Treatment for Same-Sex Couple Introduced
- The Williams Institute & Center for American Progress: Unequal Taxes on Equal Benefits: The Taxation of Domestic Partner Benefits
- Business Coalition for Benefits Tax Equity
Family and Medical Leave
- Family and Medical Leave Act Bill Text H.R. 2792 (PDF)
- HRC's comments on Department of Labor's Request for Information on the Family and Medical Leave Act (PDF)
- HRC's Family and Medical Leave Act testimony at the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions hearing (PDF)
Other Resources