Unfair Gay Tax Day and Unhappy Hour

April 15 is never a good day for taxpayers but it is particularly obnoxious for same-sex couples who face clear anti-gay discrimination when they file their taxes. Unable to file jointly, same-sex couples who are legally married are forced into a legal lie as they must check "single" on their returns. Gay and lesbian couples pay far more in taxes but are denied significant benefits like Social Security survivors benefits, Medicaid chronic care spousal protections and spousal exemption from inheritance tax. EROC members protested outside the Federal Building and then adjourned for a fun filled "Unhappy Hour" at 140 Alex Bar & Grill.

MENY Town Hall with Ron Zacchi

Ron Zacchi, Executive Director of Marriage Equality New York (MENY), traveled to Rochester to welcome EROC into the MENY statewide network of affiliated grassroots groups. He shared MENY's 2010 strategy to advance marriage equality and highlighted statewide actions like September's Rainbow Wedding March, a MENY signature event that will be happening in multiple cities across the state including Rochester.

The Nearly Wed Game

Four fun local couples - Pat & Lisa, Omar & Peter, Rosemary & Sandra and Dave & Roger competed in our update of the classic TV game show which highlighted an evening devoted to expanding community awareness of the status of marriage equality for same-sex couples.