what are a couple of social benefits that most heterosexual familes have that same sex families do not have?

Answer 1

There isn't enough room to list the many 'social benefits' enjoyed by heterosexual couples - benefits that have nothing to do with religion. To name just a couple:

Medical Rights: As the law stands now, in many cases, the estranged relatives of a seriously injured/ ill GLBT individual could suddenly have complete say-so over care at the hospital, while the person's partner is completely 'shut out' of the decision process (this, even when the 'family' may have been absent from the GLBT persons life for as long as he/she and the partner have been a couple). So, for example, a partner who KNOWS that his/her injured spouse wants to be placed on life-support, could see the exact opposite done at the request of a family member because of their personal bias/ religious beliefs, etc...

Property/Estate Rights: In a celebrated case recently in Washington DC, the family of a tragically murdered Lesbian city official swept in and claimed the home and nearly all the contents of the home the victim shared with her partner of 12 years (including property that belonged to the surviving partner).

Whether out of 'homophobia', 'greed' or a combination of the two, its wrong that two law-abiding, committed people should have their personal wishes subject to the personal whims and beliefs of their families or the state.

Answer 2

Heterosexual couples have the benefit of a host of legal and social benefits that are automatically provided to them because they're straight, that are specifically denied to gay couples.

Here's a list: http://www.pflag.org/Rights__Priviledges_and_Benefits_of_Marriage.175.0.html

Answer 3

I would say that the only benefit would be that they are "socially accepted."

Answer 4

Peace of mind. They don't have to worry that someone will judge them.

Answer 5

they're properly balanced out.

Answer 6

insurance and respect