ACLU of Alaska is seeking additional G/L plaintiffs for equal property tax case

[bsara]

From: Tiffany McClain [mailto:tmcclain@akclu.org]
Sent: Friday, December 18, 2009 10:30 AM

The ACLU of Alaska is still looking for additional plaintiffs for an upcoming case re: equal property tax exemptions for same-sex couples. I would very much appreciate if you could send out this announcement.

Thanks,

Tiffany McClain
LGBT Public Policy Coordinator
ACLU of Alaska
P.O. Box 201844
Anchorage, AK  99520-1844
907-258-0044 ext. 101

ACLU of Alaska is still looking for additional plaintiffs for
an upcoming case re: equal property tax exemptions
for same-sex couples

Julie Schmidt & Gayle Shuh have been partners for 32 years. They share everything: a home, vacations, volunteer time at Anchorage’s Gay & Lesbian Community Center, and the vows they exchanged in Vancouver to mark their 30th anniversary.

But the State of Alaska still treats them as strangers in the eyes of the law.

Most Alaskan residents 65 years of age and older are exempt from paying taxes on a portion of their home, regardless of whether or not the property is occupied by a single person or a married couple. But because the state of Alaska treats same-sex couples as roommates splitting a property instead of full-fledged partners sharing a home, they are excluded from receiving the full tax exemption made available to married partners. The same goes for disabled veterans, who are also eligible for the full exemption as long as they don’t live with a same-sex partner.

Not until the ACLU of Alaska brought it to their attention did Julie & Gayle look at their paperwork and realize that they were being cheated. They decided to join us in challenging the state for equal treatment.  They never imagined being involved in a case like this, but, Gayle said, “If we want equal rights, we have to be willing to step forward.”

                    If you would like to join Gayle & Julie AND

You are in a long-term, committed relationship with your same-sex partner AND
           -At least one partner is 65 or over OR a disabled veteran

Please contact Tiffany McClain, LGBT Public Policy Coordinator, ACLU of Alaska, 907-258-0044