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We Serve the LGBT Community with Pride

June 9, 2016 • By

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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

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Comments

  1. Daryl

    I think everyone on this post should remember the “Golden Rule” in regards to “Morality” which is, “One should treat others as one would like others to treat oneself” or “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

    • Ray F.

      Thank you for your comment Daryl, and for reminding everybody that while we welcome general participation and contribution from everyone, we ask participants to please be considerate and polite to others when posting comments. It is important that everyone gets an opportunity to express their opinions freely. However, we ask participants to respect the privacy and beliefs of others as well as to conform to our comment policy. Our blog — Social Security Matters — gives readers information about a variety of topics, including our programs, online services, current events, and human-interest stories, usually in greater detail than typically shared on our other social media platforms. Thank you for your support and for using our blog.

      • Don R.

        Did you respect the privacy and belief of the American people when you advertise that you were so proudly serving the LGBT community ? what about the Christian community? Are you going to print that you proudly serve the Christian Community or the African American community or the Asian community or the Mexican American community or the Jewish community? If not, then why not? We like to feel special too by the SSA.

  2. Shari

    The government better not complain they have no money when they waste it on private matters like this!

  3. Rabbi F.

    “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.”
    Ex 20:12

  4. Jesus F.

    “I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE. NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER EXCEPT THROUGH ME”. JESUS~

    Sin is sin is sin and God Hates Sin. ALL Sin! He Loves Each and Every one of us but he HATES sin. My Bible (GOD) tells me that Homosexuality is a SIN. And so it is!.

    The End is Near and as someone said earlier; EVERY Knee WILL Bow AND Every Tongue WILL Confess that JESUS is Lord, The Son of GOD.

  5. Thomas K.

    God dam you Christians are Hateful.
    After reading all this HATE all I can say is thank “GOD” I’m an atheist and Gay.
    Why would I want to be like you? If Heaven is filled with the likes of you I would rather go to hell.

    • Aleathia

      Thomas, you do not ever want to go to Hell where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth for eternity. I suggest you read your bible and ask God to speak to you through His word. Ask Him to reveal Himself to you. He will!

  6. Pete

    It’s too bad the morals of some have deteriorated to this level. This is not the way most people were raised and it’s wrong to think you can go against God’s teaching. History shows this type society does not last as the Bible states one man and one woman.

    • Don R.

      You are absolutely right, Pete! Because it is TRUTH and the truth hurts them down to their toes!!!

  7. Richard S.

    So this blog that says the social security administration posts it at US Tax Payer expense says they serve the LGBT community with pride. I say to the SSA, JUST SERVE THE FOLKS YOU ARE SUPPOSEDT O SERVE AND KEEP YOUR pc GARBAGE OUT OF IT. I for one of many millions of hard working citizens do not look upon the LGBT community with pride but rather with embarrassment and shame that our country has fallen into such a state of immorality. The SS administration has no business foisting any political or social agenda onto the rest of us. SS keep it out of the discourse.

    • Don R.

      Tell them like it is, Richard! You hit the nail on the head! 🙂

      • Aleathia

        PC junk!

    • Susan

      The irony of calling the SSA the “SS administration” was not lost one me, Richard. That is exactly what ALL governmental agencies in this country have become…..little fiefdoms of one giant Gestapo organization.

      • Thomas K.

        I suppose when YOU need SSA services everything they give you is something that you deserve.

        • Don R.

          I assume you feel the same way, when you need something. you’re standing at the front door as well when you deserve nothing!

    • Elizabeth

      Agreed! Well said!

  8. DL

    Thank you for posting this. I worked for nearly two decades as a civil servant for what was essentially unequal pay, because I could not insure my spouse as most of my colleagues could. It’s disappointing seeing all the hatred and bigotry in the comments here. People who are used to privilege tend to perceive equality as oppression.

  9. John O.

    Again this article is inappropriate. The Social Security Administration is not in the business of social engineering. As an agency they should be committed to treating everyone equally. The agency perceived that they were forced into rewriting their regulations by a Court ruling and now they see fit to brag about it as if the impetus came from the agency?

  10. Waleisah

    Great job! Whether we agree with homosexuality or not, we must admit that members of the LGBT community are tax paying citizens just like the rest of us and are just as entitled to receive benefits, benefits that they themselves have paid into. This should not be an issue of morality but an issue of what is right and what is fair!

    How would you feel if because you were in a 20 year relationship with someone you were not married to, you were told that because you weren’t legally married that you couldn’t have say so in their medical care or handle their death arrangements? What if you married someone of a different race (as many people do not agree with interracial relationships) and were denied benefits because of it? Well, it’s the same way with the LGBT community. Many of these couples have more stable and longer lasting relationships than straight people (I know a couple that has been together 45 years!), rarely argue or disagree over money, have children that are not criminals or addicted to drugs, have bigger and better bank accounts and homes than straight people, yet are constantly targeted and hated on. Why? Straight people could probably learn a thing or two from LGBT couples! So why shouldn’t they be able to marry and receive benefits of a person that they have been in a loving and lasting relationship with? It’s just crazy how the same people who use the Bible to discriminate against LGBT claim to be Christians yet say and do the most UNGodliness stuff! Jesus was about LOVE and only He can judge!

    • John O.

      All of your arguments ring hollow. LGBT individuals could have always entered into contracts that would allow the same things that “marriage allows”.

      • Aleathia

        That’s what Satan does. He perverts everything. Don’t forget who Lucifer was before he got cast out of heaven. God Bless.

      • Thomas K.

        that’s another christian lie.

        • Don R.

          Hey Thomas you keep talking about Christians being discriminatory . The statement you just made it discriminatory! But I don’t expect you to be intelligent enough to figure that out.

    • Don R.

      You’re mixing apples and oranges Waleisah of which the LGBT is very good at doing. Why can’t you guys stay focused on the subject without going to China and back???? I want to address your statement ” This should not be an issue of morality but an issue of what is right and what is fair!” You’re speaking out of both sides of your mouth. Morality IS about what is right and wrong! That’s what the conservatives have been trying to convey to you, but it seems to keep going over your head. You cannot talk about the LGBT life style without including the issue of morality because IT IS ABOUT MORALITY!!! You stated that this is about what’s right and fair. I would also like to address your statement “What if you married someone of a different race (as many people do not agree with interracial relationships) and were denied benefits because of it? Well, it’s the same way with the LGBT “.

      • Shelley B.

        Who are you to judge!! I know many Gay and Lesbians who ARE CHRISTIANS AND LOVE THE LORD!

        • Aleathia

          The Word of God judges. So, don’t get mad at the messenger. Jesus was the Word and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Your response is what nonbiblical people always say when they are confronted with the Word of God which is truth. We are to speak the truth in love. Jesus loves everyone but not our sin. We all fall short. That is why we have the opportunity to repent and to be cleansed by His precious blood that he shed for you and me. God Bless you. Selah.

        • Don R.

          I beg your pardon ! you do not know any Christians that are gay and lesbian there is no such thing! That’s like saying I seen an alligator with a pig’s tail. 🙂

    • Susan

      Your examples are very poor comparisons. No one cares if LGBT people get benefits extended to other people. It’s that June is designated as LGBT month and SSA decides they need to spend taxpayer dollars “phishing” for LGBT customers. Why is it appropriate to single out this group for SPECIAL ATTENTION from SSA?

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