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Seven Things Gay Couples Can Do Now, Thanks To The Supreme Court

Today we all woke up in an America that's a little more free: Gay and lesbian couples who get married (or who already are) can now enjoy the 1,138 benefits that same-sex married couples do.

Below, we call out some of the big ones.


1. Adopt children

While there will still be hurdles to adoption—especially through religiously affiliated agencies—second-parent adoptions will become much easier now that gay couples have the protection of marriage.

2. Share benefits

A growing number of companies offer benefits to same-sex couples, either by recognizing existing marriage equality laws or providing their own equivalent to spousal benefits. But not all—and in some cases couples must pay taxes on those benefits.

Now, the partners and children of lesbian and gay employees will automatically be covered.

3. Make health decisions

If you're hospitalized and unable to make decisions for yourself, you want your wife or husband to be able to advocate for you. Previously, some hospitals would ignore patient's wishes and pass  decision-making responsibilities to parents or blood relatives.

Also, medical centers that continue to stop gay and lesbian people from visiting their partners because of "relatives-only" policies will have to amend their rules.

4. File taxes together

It's not something we jump for joy over, but same-sex couples will now be able to file jointly on the state and federal level nationwide.

While they've been able to combine federal taxes since 2013, married gays have had to file numerous returns—including a "dummy" federal return—if they lived in a state that didn't recognize marriage equality. That's a lot less paperwork!

5. Inherit Property

If a heterosexual dies without a will, his or her spouse still inherits their property. Previously, if a gay person died, their family could contest their surviving partner's rights to property—in some cases even if there was a will. No more.

6. Get divorced

Previously, gay couples who lived in a state that didn't acknowledge marriage equality would have to move and establish residency in another state. (Not something you want to do with your ex.)

In fact, Texas just granted a gay couple a divorce a decade after they filed, and six years after one partner died.

Now, when a same-sex couple ends their marriage, they'll benefit from the same laws regarding spousal support, custody rights and more as straight couples.

7. Get Family Discounts

Do you have any idea how much passes to Disney World cost for two adults and three children?

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