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We Serve the LGBT Community with Pride

June 9, 2016 • By

Reading Time: 2 Minutes

Last Updated: June 9, 2016

LGBT

June is LGBT Pride Month, a time to celebrate the fight for dignity and equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in the United States.

On June 26, 2015, the Supreme Court issued a decision that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry in all states. This victory made it possible for more same-sex couples to benefit from Social Security services and programs.

On June 1, 2009, President Barack Obama proclaimed June as LGBT Pride Month to honor the history of gay rights and the ongoing movement toward full equality. On the date of the proclamation, the president said, “LGBT Americans have made, and continue to make, great and lasting contributions that continue to strengthen the fabric of American society.”

Forty years before President Obama’s proclamation, in June 1969 at the Stonewall Inn, employees, patrons, and supporters took a stand against the harassment of gay and lesbian community members. This uprising became the catalyst for the grassroots movement to oppose discriminatory laws and practices against LGBT Americans.  Equality remains the primary focus of LGBT advocates and community members.

Social Security is committed to treating all Americans with respect and equity.  We’re always looking for ways to improve communication about all of Social Security’s programs to same-sex couples. If you have any questions about Social Security benefits for same-sex couples, please visit a section of our website dedicated to them.

If you are a spouse, divorced spouse, or surviving spouse of a same-sex marriage or non-marital legal same-sex relationship, you may be eligible to apply for Social Security benefits. Please don’t wait. Go to www.socialsecurity.gov and apply right away. Applying now will preserve your filing date, which will protect you against the loss of any potential benefits.

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About the Author

Jim Borland, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications

Jim Borland, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications

Comments

  1. Pat

    No wonder I usually don’t read these articles. This PC junk just makes me SMH.

  2. George

    I love getting these e-mails from Social Security. The first one I received was on Ramadan and now LGBT. Keep them coming as every time you send one out to the normal working stiff American, your converting them into a voter for Donald Trump who will stop this BS!

    • Thomas K.

      If Donald Trump gets elected, we won’t have a country to save.

      • Waleisah

        EXACTLY! Thank you!

        • Pat

          We sure won’t if Hillary gets elected!!

  3. Walt

    Jim Borland Keep your gay pride issues to yourself —–we are not interested in your gay agenda—–burn in hell

    • Thomas K.

      You are a ass

    • Laura

      Walt, you sound a little paranoid to me. Funny how anytime someone mutters the word “gay” (gulp!), there must be some ulterior motive behind it. Grow up, get a life, and mind your own business.

    • thomas P.

      You are just an ignorant sick person. God create all the same. Educate yourself.
      Don’t hate – love

  4. Jean

    Why? Why would the Social Service Administration waste time on such. If you are going to publish an article make sure it’s worth while to read.

    • Thomas K.

      Guess what Jean you are not the only person in this world. If you don’t want to read about SSA helping the LGBT people then don’t read it it’s just that simple. SSA helps a lot of different people they don’t discriminate like you do. I suppose when they help you that’s just fine.

      • bwalton

        LGBT is a political organization! Why are they mentioned? What does Bi-sexual and Transvestite have to do with SS benefits so same sex couples. Nothing…Overstepping here. Just political …

        • Susan

          bwalton, you are absolutely correct. Honestly, if I were a lesbian or gay person, I would not want to be lumped into a group with bi-sexuals and transvestites. I wonder how long it took them to determine the positioning of the letters? Why not TGBL? or GBLT? or BLTG? I like BLTG…..everyone can remember BLT and then just add the G. I always have to think about LGBT. I guess they were thinking “ladies first”, right?

      • Don R.

        Hey, Thomas…would you keep quite if the SSA headlines were “We serves Christians with pride”! No.. you would not. You would be outraged! You would say we should not mix church & state issues! So…..who is really discriminating here??? Evryone who reads these comments/articles knows this is not about LGBT, Christans, Conservatives and liberals.

        • Thomas K.

          SSA has always been serving the Christian people. What rights from Christians does SSA take away by helping other people?
          Why is it Christians, republicans and conservative blame every thing on Obama?

          • RandyBowman

            Thomas, you clearly have a strong bias against Christians and a poor understanding of Christianity. You also seem incapable of making a compelling argument for your viewpoint. All of your posts are hateful, insulting, and name calling. Here’s a fact for you: none of my posts quoted the bible.

          • Dianna

            You are so right on that! We need to turn to the LORD and seek his face and turn from our wicked ways . Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s.

          • Don R.

            Because Obama has passed legislation that is an embarrassment to our nation.

          • Don R.

            Simple! When a leader is not doing their job, they get blamed. dah!!!

        • Susan

          Hey Don….there’s not a chance SSA or any other government entity will EVER tout serving Christians. The US government no longer wishes to represent the majority of people in this country. They are all about “minorities” of any kind. The ironic thing is that most people who voted thought they were making a huge gesture toward minorities, by electing a black President. If we thought he was going to heal things like he said he would before he was elected, we were sadly mistaken. He and his administration have done their best,and succeeded I might add, to rip off the scab of past racial wounds that had been healing for years in this country. That the government adds LGBT to their list of protected classes is no surprise. Once again, the majority is stepped upon by the Marxist government that keeps creating minority classes upon whom they depend to vote them into office. If you are L or G or B or T….I couldn’t care less. But you should be no more protected than I am by our government.

          • Thomas K.

            That is true no one should be more protected by our government. It is a fact Gays, Lesbians, Bi-sexuals and Trans gendered people are discrimanated everyday in this country. That’s why SSA is trying to make people understand that. Tell me how are Christians being discriminated against when SSA has a blog about someone other than christians?

      • ROCKY

        Your kind can’t accept the fact that most people in our country can’t, don’t and won’t approve of your immoral lifestyle, but you insist on trying to shove it down are throats and up our ass. The world was a hell of a lot better off when you were in your closet with the door locked. Do us all a favor and ho back in there. You want to call me a bigot.. I’ll save you the trouble, I’m a bigger bigot than Archie Bunker…..

  5. Susan

    With all the problems we have with a social security system that is bankrupt and the extremely poor customer service provided to taxpayers, for SSA to spend taxpayer money on this type of garbage is disgusting. This is a prime example of what’s wrong with the US Government. Does SSA have nothing better to do than spend time and resources to advertise services to increase their hold on the American people? Garbage programs like this are driving the “Trump Phenomenon”. Another step on the path to Communism in the United States. Folks….the bad guys are winning and we are losing our freedoms at a rapid pace. In fact, I believe we have lost the battle and our historical way of life in this country. It is gone forever! Very sad and very sick!!!

    • kim i.

      I totally agree Susan.

    • Arnold b.

      You are a protected group and and bragging about it. I never had a propl with your choices in the past but you keep shoving it in my face every day so now you will not be getting any support, but have made angry man toward’s your group.

    • Dianna

      You are so right on that! We need to turn to the LORD and seek his face and turn from our wicked ways

  6. thomas P.

    God create all the same. Educate yourself.
    Don’t hate – just love and respect

    • RandyBowman

      Why is it that liberals and the left characterize anyone who disagrees with them or their agenda as “haters”. Try to come up with a logical, rational argument for your position rather than just calling people names/

      • Thomas K.

        Because people who disagree with us are stupid.

        Remember Jesus was the most Liberal of all.

        • RandyBowman

          Again, just more name calling. Seems like an intelligent person could form a rational. cohesive argument.

          • Laura

            Hahahaha! Do you know how many times I’ve attempted to share rational thoughts and linear arguments with people like you? Especially about LGBT equality. And do you know how many times people like you have come back at me with questions totally unrelated, ignoring actual facts, and using blanket statements? Pretty much every time. Open your mind, Randy.

          • RandyBowman

            Liberals say they are open minded (but they cant open their mind to consider opinions different from theirs or the idea that they may not be right). Liberals are tolerant (except they cant tolerate anyone who doesn’t agree with them). Read the posts above mine Laura. Its liberals who are calling names. All I asked is for your side to make a rational argument. In my experience, Liberals don’t ague facts. They argue feelings and emotions. If you truly state facts with you promote your positions, then you are one of the VERY few.

        • Judy C.

          What happened to the freedom of speech. Has it been taken away too.

          • Thomas K.

            Randy, I haven’t heard any facts coming from you.
            Quoting the bible is not a fact. The fact is that the bible is not the word of God, It’s the word of child molesting priests. who wrote the bible.

      • Ivan P.

        because they are brain washed On tv , news and education with safe spaces all the BS they only think in black and white

    • marcus

      if he created all the same as of them, we’d all be gay a sin Sodom and gamorrah. orwe would be like God created us,all straight

    • Pete

      Wrong is wrong no matter what you keep telling yourself.

    • Don R.

      We will love and respect you, but not your lifestyle.

      • Aleathia

        B-I-N-G-O!

      • Thomas K.

        I don’t see any love and respect coming from you.

        • Lady C.

          What specific ‘love and respect’ do You (Sir Thomas K. Preuss) personally want?

        • Don R.

          Because of your sin, you are judged already. Do you not know that????

  7. Randy

    Some day every knee shall bow.

    • Thomas K.

      I won’t

      • Don R.

        You just keep believing that Thomas, when you’re on your bed and your body is deteriorating with cancer. Tell God you won’t bow. You have no idea what you’re saying!

        • Thomas K.

          If my body is deteriorating how can I get down on my knees.

          • Don R.

            Because that is all that will be left of you. You will plead for someone to help you get on your knees.

      • Dianna

        In
        Christ Jesus we have all the freedoms we need to serve Him. It is a matter of choice..choose you whom you will serve this day…as for me and my house…we will serve the LORD. The Bible is God’s word and what He says is true..He cannot lie… God spoke it..you can believe it.

        • Michael

          The Bible also say judge not lest thou be judged, but I guess you missed that part.

          • Don R.

            Because of your sin, you are judged already. Do you not know that????

  8. J. B.

    Sad is not the word for it. Read the Bible! Your opening up a big can of worms!

    • thomas P.

      You are just an ignorant sick person. God create all the same. Educate yourself.
      Don’t hate –

      • Donald L.

        Stating the Bible isn’t hate, it is just True

        • Thomas K.

          It’s true the Bible is not hate, It’s the ignorant people that have misinterpreted it to please themselves that are hateful.

        • thomas P.

          You are just an ignorant sick person. God create all the same. Educate yourself.
          Don’t hate –

        • thomas P.

          the bible is just an incomplete book.

          You are just an ignorant sick person. God create all the same. Educate yourself.
          Don’t hate –

    • Michael

      You hide behind your religion, you use the bible as a shield. It also says an adulterous woman shall be stoned to death. I don’t see that happening.

      • Don R.

        The adult rest has enought dignity to keep it behind closed doors . The LGBT DOES NOT! Where is your shame?????

  9. Joseph P.

    Sick puppies! You folks are a joke!!!

    • thomas P.

      You are just an ignorant sick person. God create all the same. Educate yourself.

  10. Allan

    So sad.

    • Fermina P.

      discusting i dont agree with that wrong desicion God created male and femele , He created Adam y Eva no adam and Esteban

      • thomas P.

        You are just an ignorant sick person. God create all the same. Educate yourself.

        • Susan

          Get a life, Thomas. I don’t hate LGBT people….but it is ridiculous for the Social Security Administration to spend taxpayer dollars promoting LGBT month.

    • thomas P.

      You are just an ignorant sick person. God create all the same. Educate yourself.
      Don’t hate –

    • Dianna

      So very sad. God made Adam and Eve not Adam and Steve or Mary and Sherry. I am glad God is in control of my life! George Washington and the other framers would roll over in their graves if they knew what the government was doing.

Comments are closed.