Gay rights activist Edith Windsor sues feds over estate taxes

[rug]

Trailblazing gay rights activist Edith Windsor sued the federal government on Monday to reimburse the $350,000 she paid in estate taxes when her wife died.

Windsor, 81, says she should get the same exemption given to married heterosexual couples, which excuses them from paying taxes on a spouse's estate.

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While New York State considered us married, the federal government did not, so the government taxed Thea's estate as though we were strangers rather than spouses," she said.

The lawsuit is a direct challenge to the Defense of Marriage Act, a federal law that defines marriage as a union between one man and one woman.



Film still of Edith Windsor (left) and Thea Spyer from the documentary film 'Edie & Thea: A Very Long Engagement.'

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/2010/11/10/2010-11-10_gay_leader_sues_feds_over_nups.html

[Nuclear Unicorn]

1. Aren't progressive lawmakers trying to reinstate the estate tax ?

just askin'

[rug]

2. i'm not sure but she's suing to ensure it's applied equally, whatever it is.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

3. On that I can agree

EDITED TO ADD: Not to imply I disagreed with the OP. I agree from the beginning that fair is fair is fair.

[xchrom]

4. Recommend