LOS ANGELES — Ellen DeGeneres says she is "saddened beyond belief" by the passage of a constitutional amendment in California banning gay marriage.
The talk show host said in a statement Wednesday to The Associated Press that she, "like millions of Americans, felt like we had taken a giant step toward equality" by electing Barack Obama as president.
DeGeneres says that with the passage of California's Proposition 8, "we took a giant step away."
DeGeneres wed actress Portia de Rossi in August, following a May Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex marriage in California.
She contributed $100,000 to fight the amendment on Tuesday's ballot.
DeGeneres asserts she will "continue to speak out for equality for all of us."
Can someone explain to me without religion why gay marriage should be banned please. I'm not giving an opinion so I say "without religion" because church and state exclusive are in this country.
BTW,
Number of Legal Benefits:
- Marriage: Over 1,049 federal and state level benefits (see list)
- Civil Unions: Over 300 state level benefits. *No federal protection (see benefit example)
Tax Relief:
- Marriage: Couples can file both federal and state tax returns jointly.
- Civil Unions: Couples can only file jointly in the state of civil registration.
Medical Decisions:
- Marriage: Partners can make emergency medical decisions.
- Civil Unions: Partners can only make medical decisions in the registered state. Partners may not be able to make decisions out of state.
Gifts:
- Marriage: Partners can transfer gifts to each other without tax penalty.
- Civil Unions: Partners do not pay state taxes, but are required to report federal taxes.
Death Benefits:
- Marriage: In the case of a partner's death, the spouse receives any earned Social Security or veteran benefits.
- Civil Unions: Partners do not receive Social Security or any other government benefits in case of death. In the case of the death of former Congressman Gerry Studds, his partner of 15 years was denied the government pension that would have gone to a legally recognized spouse.
Child/Spousal Support:
- Marriage: In case of divorce, individuals may have a legally-binding financial obligation to spouses and children.
- Civil Unions: In the case of dissolution , no such spousal or child benefits are guaranteed or required out of state.
Immigration Rights:
- Marriage: U.S. citizens and legal residents can sponsor their spouses and family members for immigration.
- Civil Unions: U.S. citizens and legal residents cannot sponsor non-legal spouses or family members.
