Today, Freedom to Marry released a video, Why Ron Is Losing His Home: The Real Cost of the Defense of Marriage Act, chronicling the true-life impact of the so-called Defense of Marriage Act (“DOMA”) on 77 year old Ron Wallen following the death of his spouse and partner of 58 years, Tom Carrollo. To view the video, click here.
“When two people love each other and enter the legal contract of marriage, the Federal government should respect that. Today, there are tens of thousands of legally married same-sex couples in California, Massachusetts, Iowa, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire, and the District of Columbia,” said Senator Dianne Feinstein. “These couples live their lives like all married people, sharing financial expenses and caring for each other, but the Federal government does not recognize their marriages because of the Defense of Marriage Act. That’s a mistake and it’s time for DOMA to be repealed.”
Ron and Tom, both veterans, married in California in 2008 before the freedom to marry was stripped away by Proposition 8. Tom’s death on March 8, 2011 left Ron without income, apart from his $900/month social security check. While grieving the loss of his husband, Ron now must also fight for access to Social Security Survivor's Benefits now being withheld from him by the federal government. Surviving spouses are entitled to the higher of either their own Social Security payment or their deceased spouse’s; in Ron’s case, he should receive the $1,800/month benefit that Tom earned. This $900 shortfall may cost Ron his home.
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Complete article at Iowa Politics : http://bit.ly/lhivlc
