Gay couples are obviously not afforded the same rights as hetero couples, and we've all heard the arguments on both sides of the fence. Anti-gay groups and individuals protest loudly while the GLBT community pays out more into the system per household than their hetero counterparts. The straight community certainly doesn't turn away the money generated by keeping gay couples separated.

One of the most obvious additional costs includes the payment of taxes. Without the same marriage benefits, child benefits, and filing benefits of the heterosexual community, the gay couple will pay out a higher amount of the household money as each individual files separately without benefits. Even something as simple as true deductions have to come under scrutiny to ensure that the wrong deduction doesn't end up on the wrong tax return. The average additional taxation for couples of the GLBT community is generally three quarters to even twice the amount paid for a hetero household with the same income requirements.

Of course, while there are many companies that are stepping up and offering health insurance to employees with same sex partners, the health insurance crisis within the gay community can be significantly higher than that of the straight community. The considered income of the additional partner's health insurance is taxed, whereas heterosexual health insurance coverage is not. A single family's income can be significantly impacted by the ill health of one partner, yet reimbursement and deductions are often not permitted when the healthy partner becomes financially involved. It creates quite a tax mess.

Most couples in the family that either own property together or they have children together are likely to need legal counsel and representation. Everything from their intentions to their monetary assets must be documented and legally regulated in order to make sure that family heirlooms to children stay within the immediate family. Some gay couples find that even with their legal documentation, they have nothing backing them up.

Having children is automatically a higher expense for gay couples. The actual cost will depend on the method in which the couple may decide to go about getting pregnant. Most couples can spend anywhere from $30,000 to in excess of $75,000 just to get pregnant. The cost of additional medical care and actually raising the child is not included in that figure.

Even after gay couples have spent the better part of their lives together, have filed legal paperwork, and have gone through every available avenue, death benefits from the government and often death benefits from the employer of the deceased partner are denied. This can create additional financial hardships on families.

Non biological parents of children can easily be held accountable for a medical bill while simultaneously be withheld from making medical decisions for the child. If there is no second parent adoption available in the state of residence, then the non-biological parent can find that while they may pay directly or indirectly for care, they aren't entitled to simple decisions. The reverse is true with adult children trying to make medical decisions for their non biological parent.

Yes, there are many ways that we can be told to live differently if we don't like it. We all know the answer to that. However, when it comes down to everything from opposition to same sex benefits to opposition to same sex marriages, it's not a bad idea to put it in black and white how gay couples pay more for living than het couples do.