Marriage Equality in the Disability Community
Image: A bride and groom holding hands and smiling. The groom has glasses and is in a wheelchair. The bride is standing holding a bouquet of blue, pink and white flowers.
February is a month dedicated to love. On February 14th, couples often go out on dates and give each other gifts. Some couples may even take this day to propose to get married. Throughout United States history, we fought for marriage equality. In 1967, Loving v. Virginia passed in Congress, ruling that interracial couples are legally allowed to marry in all states. In 2015, Obergefell v. Hodges declared that same-sex marriages are legal throughout the United States. In 2023, President Joe Biden signed the Respect for Marriage act, which validated interracial and same-sex marriages under federal law.
While we have come a long way with marriage equality, we still have a long way to go. Did you know if you have social security benefits and health care like Medicare, you will lose all those benefits if you get married? In the United States, 8.1 million recipients are on federal SSI benefits (United States Social Security Administration, SSA.gov). Some couples or individuals with disabilities need Medicaid for different reasons, such as not being able to work due to their disability.
In January 2022, California Representative Jimmy Panetta introduced HR 6405 called “Marriage Equality for Disabled Adults Act.” According to Congress.gov, the bill's main goals are:
- To secure the rights and dignity of marriage for disabled adults and children, and for other purposes.
-Elimination of Marriage Restrictions for Disabled Adults and Children.
-Modification of Rules to Determine Marital Relationships
-Retention of Medicaid for certain married individuals.
While we have come a long way with marriage equality, we still have a long way to go. Did you know if you have social security benefits and health care like Medicare, you will lose all those benefits if you get married? In the United States, 8.1 million recipients are on federal SSI benefits (United States Social Security Administration, SSA.gov). Some couples or individuals with disabilities need Medicaid for different reasons, such as not being able to work due to their disability.
In January 2022, California Representative Jimmy Panetta introduced HR 6405 called “Marriage Equality for Disabled Adults Act.” According to Congress.gov, the bill's main goals are:
- To secure the rights and dignity of marriage for disabled adults and children, and for other purposes.
-Elimination of Marriage Restrictions for Disabled Adults and Children.
-Modification of Rules to Determine Marital Relationships
-Retention of Medicaid for certain married individuals.
The bill is currently still waiting for effective change. So, what could we do to encourage the passing of HR 6405? Here are a few things you could do.
-Contact your state representative and encourage them to pass the bill.
-Spread awareness to friends and family.
-Sign petitions.
-Learn more about the bill by doing research and asking questions.
Everyone has a right to marry the person they love. With awareness and action, marriage can be available for individuals with disabilities without losing their benefits.
In Friendship,
Michelle Yoshimine
YLC Member, California
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