QUEERLY BELOVED
IRS won't recognize same-sex marriage
Agency says homosexual
couples cannot file joint tax return
WorldNetDaily.com from the Web, June 17, 2004
In a clarification that threatens the
viability of same-sex marriages, the IRS says homosexual couples cannot file
joint tax returns because they would be in violation of the Defense of Marriage
Act.
The IRS says the 1996 statute, signed by President Clinton, means "only married
individuals under this definition could elect to file a joint tax return."
The judgment came in a letter from IRS Communications and Liaison Chief Frank
Keith in response to a query by a conservative pro-family group, Public Advocate
of the United States, reported CNSNews.com.
The Defense of Marriage Act, or DOMA, says states will not be forced to
recognize homosexual marriages granted in other states and legally defines
marriage as the union of one man and one woman.
Even when states legally recognize homosexual unions, "that recognition has no
effect for purposes of federal law," the June 14 letter said.
Jesse Binnall of Public Advocate told CNSNews.com he regards the IRS response as
"a victory for the American family."
"Now we have something from a federal government agency saying that ... the
court in Massachusetts may recognize this sham marriage, bureaucrats in San
Francisco may recognize your marriage, but the government of the United States
of America does not recognize these sham marriages," he said.
CNSNews.com said requests for comment from the National Gay and Lesbian Task
Force; Parents Family and Friends of Lesbians and Gays; and Lambda Legal were
not returned yesterday or today.
As WorldNetDaily reported
(story),
Senate Republicans plan to force Democrats to choose sides on same-sex marriage
by scheduling a vote on a constitutional amendment in mid-July.
The vote on the Federal Marriage Amendment, which bans same-sex marriage, would
take place just as the Democratic Party prepares to begin its presidential
nominating convention in Boston, according to Roll Call, the Capitol Hill
newspaper.
The enactment of same-sex marriage in Massachusetts last month strengthened the
resolve of traditional marriage defenders to pass an amendment.
The Massachusetts high court decided Nov. 18
(story)
homosexual couples are legally entitled to wed under the state constitution and
should be allowed to apply for marriage licenses, overturning a ruling by a
lower court in May 2002.
The Federal Marriage Amendment says, "Marriage in the United States shall
consist only of the union between a man and a woman. Neither this constitution
or the constitution of any state, nor state or federal law, shall be construed
to require that marital status or the legal incidents thereof be conferred upon
unmarried couples or groups."
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