The marriage equality icon Edie Windsor partners with SAGE on the new campaign, says “Go Get Married! But Talk Before You Walk.”
We’re so excited, and we just can’t hide it! Everyone—even those without partners—wants to walk down the aisle now that marriage equality is here! Our favourite marriage equality pioneer, Edie Windsor, has a message for those of us itching to get hitched—especially us older lesbians who have waited a lifetime for this moment: Think it over, do your research, and talk before you walk.
“Every step has increased our self-esteem and with that, more of us come out and we are seen by our families, our friends, our colleagues, our own children,” says Edie Windsor. “By all means-go, get married! But before you do, learn how marriage will impact you, both financially and legally. Put simply, talk before you walk.”
SAGE, the peak body aiming to improve the lives and rights of LGBT elders, stands with LGBT communities and allies in celebration of June 25th’s historic Supreme Court Decision in Obergefell v. Hodges.
The landmark ruling has delivered the right to marry to all Americans and is a victory and a leap forward in LGBT rights. SAGE and Windsor are partnering to make sure people, including LGBT older people, can find the information they need on marriage before they tie the knot.
Why is this an issue especially for older LGBTs?
The denial of marriage equality has severely impacted the lives of LGBT older people, especially in the following areas: a same-sex married couple’s eligibility for Social Security spousal and survivor benefits; certain Medicare benefits, and certain Veterans’ benefits—these have been, until now, determined by the state in which they lived. Suddenly, rights thought unavailable to LGBTs living in those states are available, or soon will be. LGBT people who have suffered financially, and sometimes psychologically due to a lifetime of discrimination may need to review their current situation—and how the situation of their partners may affect them.
“If they are in a couple they need to make well-informed decisions about whether a marriage will help their day-to-day lives,” says Michael Adams, Executive Director of SAGE. SAGE’s “Talk Before You Walk” page will guide LGBT elders, and all LGBT people, to critically important resources they need to make the best decisions they can on marriage.
And let’s not forget: Despite June 25th’s victory, LGBT older adults and others still are not free from discrimination, especially in the 13 states that were refusing to recognize same-sex unions and (in some cases still) dragging their heels on legislation.
Plus: There is still no federal law protecting LGBT individuals from discrimination in the workplace, or public places such as senior centres, housing, or even restaurants, where a loving PDA can inspire a hate crime, let alone an older couple who now wishes to go to their local courthouse in, for example, Louisiana or Alabama to get married, and may face protests, abuse, or reluctance from local civil servants and officials reluctant to carry out federal law.
So, consult SAGE and get up to speed before you get your wedding weeds on.
Check out TalkBeforeYouWalk.org to find out what marriage may mean for you, and how to protect yourself no matter who you are with or which state you live in.
