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L.A. Backs Social Security Benefits for Gay Couples
A couple who was married at Marriage Park in West Hollywood (more photos here) | Photo by Tom Andrews/LAist
The L.A. City Council today unanimously backed a resolution to support social security benefits for same-sex couples. Currently, no benefits are offered in four main categories, including retirement benefits, disability insurance, survivor benefits and burial expenses.
Bill Rosendahl, the only openly gay member on the Council, noted that he has the same power and authority as his fellow councilmembers, but doesn't have his "basic and civil human rights... I pay into it like everyone else!" He told how he fought aside gay men in Vietnam, but how culture, politics and religion made coming out an even tougher thing than battle. He eventually came out after his mother's funeral when he was 32. "My religion, Catholicism, is also perverted in how it defines us. God made us this way, God makes no mistake."
The resolution will help any federal legislation that is created to support social security benefits for gay couples.
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