When Atlanta
morning radio personality Melissa Carter, an out lesbian,
decided to protest the 1,138 rights and benefits available
to married couples under federal laws and
regulations--and to which gay couples are not
entitled--by withholding $1,138 from her taxes this
year, she didn't expect to come up short. But that's what
happened when her accountant told her she wouldn't owe
nearly that much, reports The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
"Even worst-case scenario, I only owed $200!"
Carter, who cohosts Q100's Bert Show every
morning, told the paper. "So much for my big act of
civil disobedience."
Carter had also planned to send a letter to the
Internal Revenue Service explaining that her
withholding of the amount was a protest against the
lack of marriage equality in this country. She will be
honored with a Community Leadership Award next month
by the Human Rights Campaign for raising LGBT
visibility in her five years on the air. (The Advocate)