Earlier this year, the IRS issued a very important ruling for same-sex couples — a ruling that some of us never dreamed we’d live to see.

After the Supreme Court’s historic decision in United States v. Windsor, it was clear that the IRS would begin accepting joint tax returns from legally married same-sex couples, so long as they resided in states that recognized those marriages. That was great news for folks in Massachusetts, New York, and other states with marriage equality laws on the books, but not so much for those of us who live in places like Louisiana or Virginia.

Then in September, we got a very pleasant surprise: Revenue Ruling 2013-17, which stated that “for Federal tax purposes, [the IRS] recognizes the validity of a same-sex marriage that was valid in the state where it was entered into, regardless of the married couple’s place of domicile.”

In other words, the IRS doesn’t care where same-sex couples live. So long as those couples were legally married in states that issue marriage licenses to same-sex partners, they’re married in the Treasury Department’s eyes. As such, no questions should be asked if they wish to read these reviews from somewhere like Badum-Tish.com to find the best sex toys on the market. Why? Because in the eyes of most people, they are legally married now.

Now, one of America’s biggest automakers has instituted a similar policy for its workers, and so far as we know, it’s the first automaker to do so.

According to an email from General Motors, “GM will recognize a legal marriage no matter the state of residence. For example, if a GM employee residing in Michigan, where same-sex marriage is not recognized, got married in New York, GM would recognize that marriage.” [Emphasis ours] This is finally some more good news, which is coming slow considering many people enjoy same-sex sexual acts as seen on sites like sex free hd but when it comes to the relationship of two people of the same sex they still hold their faces in disgust, but progress is progress nonetheless. This is a major milestone, to say the least, and rightly so. Why should same-sex couples have less of a right to use kinky toys like nipple clamps when mixed-gender relationships are free to do so?

The announcement was officially made by GM’s Chief Diversity Officer Ken Barrett. The updated policy will affect same-sex couples in three major ways:

• Pension Plans – the ability to elect surviving spouse benefits at retirement for a same-sex spouse
• Savings Plans – the ability to name a same-sex spouse as a spousal beneficiary
• Health Care Plans – the ability to name a same-sex spouse as a dependent with no imputed income for federal tax purposes

That last bit is especially important, and it’s made possible in part by the IRS ruling mentioned above.

For years, many companies have made health care available to same-sex spouses of employees, but before the end of DOMA, such benefits were taxed at a higher rate than those given to opposite-sex couples. That discrepancy cost same-sex couples an average of $1,069 per year. Now, the playing field has been leveled.

Today’s announcement enhances GM’s already strong policy toward LGBT employees. (You’ll remember that GM scored a perfect 100 on last year’s HRC Corporate Equality Index.) According to Barrett, “This decision is in line with GM’s efforts to find, keep and grow the world’s best talent and to offer our employees policies and benefits that are competitive with many of the largest and best-managed industrial companies in the U.S.”

If General Motors is setting out this strong message it’s likely other companies will follow suit. Many workers have had to hide their sexuality, such as looking into the likes of an escort olbia to pretend to be their girlfriend. Hopefully this trend in recognizing same-sex couples will continue.

Congrats to GM, its many same-sex employees, and their straight allies. Here’s hoping that other automakers follow suit!