The Alaska Supreme Court ruled today that the state unconstitutionally discriminates against same-sex couples by denying them equal access to a property tax exemption for senior citizens and disabled veterans.
The rules were challenged by the ACLU of Alaska, the American Civil Liberties Union, and Davis Wright Tremaine LLP on behalf of three couples who were denied full access to a $150,000 property tax exemption that Alaska makes available to opposite-sex married couples. Because same-sex couples cannot legally marry in Alaska, the state treated them as roommates rather than as families and let them get the exemption for only half of the value of their homes. Roger Leishman, partner at Davis Wright Tremaine, successfully argued the case at trial and on appeal before the Alaska Supreme Court.
"Families in Alaska deserve better than a second-class system of laws for same-sex couples who are just as committed to each other as heterosexual couples," said Joshua Decker, executive director of the ACLU of Alaska. "Our senior citizens and veterans should not have to pay more taxes just because they happen to be gay or lesbian."
I think that Alaska is primed and ready to move forward with marriage equality up here.
Hell we are already getting ready to vote on legalizing marijuana, so we might as well move the state forward in this regard as well.
Besides I want this to happen before that pernicious prick Jerry Prevo dies.
Using his sermons to vilify the LGBT community, and his political influence to help shape policies which oppress them, this man has been the driving force behind homophobia in this state for decades.
I just want the opportunity to see his face when the people of Alaska reject his hate mongering and openly embrace their gay brothers and sisters.
Good for Alaska! I, too, would love seeing Jerry Prevo and his group have to eat crow!
ReplyDeleteHe has been nothing but a hate monger using religion and government at his pulpit and getting tax breaks on top of it all. Does that sound as illegal as it does to me? Talk about a supposed 'christian' that is unethical!
Things are a changing in Alaska and we all need to vote as many Republicans out of office (or, not elect them!) as possible in the upcoming elections.
Begin w/members of the Alaska Legislature - Republicans ruled the roost this past go around, but voters can change that. Money isn't the issue - voter count IS!!
Dan Sullivan - the guy from Washington D.C. - is a carpetbagger and has NO business in political office in Alaska. He served in the Bush Administration and we know how that all went!
Reelect Senator Mark Begich!
I guess this isn't random since this post is about gender and sex.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.policymic.com/articles/88029/17-lies-we-need-to-stop-teaching-girls-about-sex
EVERYONE needs to read this. We've got to stop sex-shaming girls. It makes parenting impossible and accuses otherwise well-meaning parents as bad.
Sex is a decision only one person can make. No one else really affects that when you think about it. Sure, girls think boys will stay with them if they put out, and that's an issue with parenting, or lack thereof, of boys.
But truthfully, the average age of firsttime sex has always hovered in the mid teens. Schools often have discussions about "growing up" lessons in 5th grade (or did when I was in grade school. Middle schoolers are just starting to think about those things.
The shaming must end.
Shaming others is what religion is all about.
DeleteSay no to fag or lesbian marriage
ReplyDeleteTake back our country
Impeach the head fag
Hi WIllow!
DeleteSarah Palin's best friend is a lesbian. At least that's what she says. So we can expect Sarah to come out in favor of this at any moment, right?
ReplyDeleteCheck the history of Sarah Palin in Alaska - she has never had best friends or girlfriends in her life! Not even in high school! And, she was NOT a star basketball player for high school!
DeleteMcCain must be hiding in corners today to keep away from the media and have to answer questions concerning her newest 'torture' commentary.
Sarah Palin, the supposed 'christian' (she's not and doesn't even attend church in Alaska!) and he someone who was actually tortured to the point he spelled the beans.
He must be kicking himself in the butt for having brought her on his ticket all those years ago. We were saved by the bell in that they lost to President Obama!
Good to hear! Especially hope Prevo is alive and sane enough to understand what his eyes are seeing as two same sex people exchange wedding vows.
ReplyDeleteWe're in the early stages of planning a wedding, and it's amazing what's available for same sex ceremonies in the planning shops and bridal salons!
I'm a wedding videographer and have shot several videos for same sex couples here in Massachusetts. The owner booked me for this couple and one of the ladies really want to speak to me personally. He said she was nervous. I think she just wanted to gauge how I felt about this particular situation. I talked to her and told her I was happy for them and would do my very best to capture their special day. They were very happy with the final result! I can only imagine that extra layer of nervousness that same sex couples must feel when planning their wedding hoping no one spoils their day by being a bigot.
ReplyDelete