Social Security Attorneys Bridgeport

Same-sex couples: 'Legal' does not always mean equal

Liz McGovern and Judy Eckert are hoping there will come a day when they're not thought of as a "same-sex couple," but merely as a couple.

McGovern, 53, and Eckert, 49, who live in Bridgeport, had a civil union in 2007, two years after the practice became legal in Connecticut.

Same-sex marriage was legalized in the state in October 2008 and, in October 2010, all civil unions entered into in the state were converted to marriages.

Legalities aside, McGovern and Eckert have always referred to their 2007 ceremony as a wedding because "that's how we look at it," McGovern said.

Both of the women said they look forward to a time when the legalization of same-sex marriage isn't a big deal. Yet they joined others across the country in cheering the New York state Legislature approval of a historic same-sex marriage bill. There was a time, McGovern and Eckert said, when laws like the ones in New York and Connecticut seemed unlikely, if not impossible. Even after she married, McGovern said, she'd hesitate before checking the "married" box on certain paperwork.

Given the way the world used to be, they said, New York's decision represents another step forward. "I think it's great," McGovern said. "(There's a feeling of) `OK, we're accepted now.' "

Gaps in the system

In Connecticut, many couples have taken advantage of the same sex marriage laws. According to the Connecticut Department of Public Health , there were 552 same sex marriages in the state in 2008, after the law was passed. There were 2,703 same sex marriages in 2009 and 1,793 in 2010.

However, some couples and experts in the state advised New York residents excited about the new law to practice cautious optimism. After all, legal doesn't necessarily mean equal.

Even though they're married, McGovern and Eckert don't enjoy many of the rights afforded to heterosexual couples. Most of these are financial and stem from the fact that same-sex marriage isn't recognized federally. For instance, they can file a joint state income tax return, but have to file separately on the federal return.

McGovern and Eckert pointed out that they aren't entitled to each other's pension or Social Security benefits -- both rights granted to heterosexual couples.

Also, because only a handful of states recognize same-sex marriage, traveling can present a problem.

In a state that doesn't recognize their marriage, they're considered legal strangers, which could present serious problems if one of them becomes ill or dies.

Worker Shot at Weis Markets in Bridgeport, Pennsylvania | Calhoon ...

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