House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is tired of her "vulnerable" (read: freshman, or up for re-election) Democratic friends being targeted by the right-wing for their controversial views and votes, particularly on health care. Which is why she's reportedly told her Congressional colleagues that the House will not take up any "controversial" bills in 2010 unless the Senate acts first. And you can bet that Don't Ask Don't Tell — or ENDA, or UAFA (or any immigration reform), or repealing DOMA — falls into that category.
Published News » immigration equality rights
Immigration Reform Bill in the House
Posted by
USABound 878 days ago
(http://immigration.about.com)
What the bill does not include is language for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender families.
Senate seen as bottleneck for LGBT bills
Posted by
OurHero-Tan 878 days ago
(http://www.edgesanfrancisco.com)
So far the votes are not there to undo DOMA, and an immigration reform bill set to be taken up by a House committee early next year does not include any LGBT language. The out lawmakers did say they believe when the House does schedule a vote on immigration reform the final version of the bill will include the pro-gay provisions for LGBT binational couples.
UAFA Gains Influential New Cosponsor
Posted by
freedom2immigrate 900 days ago
(http://sdgln.com)
Senator Arlen Specter (D-PA), member of the Senate Judiciary Committee (and formerly that committee’s Republican Chairman), has signed on as a cosponsor of the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA).
At last June’s Senate Judiciary Committee UAFA hearing, Specter expressed strong support for ending discrimination against gay and lesbian Americans and their families in immigration law. Immigration Equality applauds Senator Specter for his support for LGBT binational families.
Eight of the Senate Judiciary Committee’s twelve Democrats are now cosponsors of UAFA. A ninth, Senator Ted Kaufman of Delaware, recently publicly stated his support for equal immigration rights for LGBT families
At last June’s Senate Judiciary Committee UAFA hearing, Specter expressed strong support for ending discrimination against gay and lesbian Americans and their families in immigration law. Immigration Equality applauds Senator Specter for his support for LGBT binational families.
Eight of the Senate Judiciary Committee’s twelve Democrats are now cosponsors of UAFA. A ninth, Senator Ted Kaufman of Delaware, recently publicly stated his support for equal immigration rights for LGBT families
Immigration Reform Must Include LGBT Couples
Posted by
freedom2immigrate 900 days ago
(http://lezgetreal.com)
In the fight for immigration equality, grassroots group OUT4IMMIGRATION, needs your urgent help. They are asking for you to please sign a Petition which can be found via their website or at www.change.org
All we want is a ”Point-and-click” a letter off to Senator Schumer and Congresswoman Lofgren, reminding them that comprehensive immigration reform will only occur if ALL families are included — including our LGBT families – The issue is building and the festering unknown is the possibility of our exclusion. There are thousands of your brothers and sisters waiting to be reunited with their lovers/partners/spouses, as the case may be. But there is no law for us AND we are specifically exluded by the law - As American we cannot sponsor for our spouses under the Immigration law of thus United States of America.
All we want is a ”Point-and-click” a letter off to Senator Schumer and Congresswoman Lofgren, reminding them that comprehensive immigration reform will only occur if ALL families are included — including our LGBT families – The issue is building and the festering unknown is the possibility of our exclusion. There are thousands of your brothers and sisters waiting to be reunited with their lovers/partners/spouses, as the case may be. But there is no law for us AND we are specifically exluded by the law - As American we cannot sponsor for our spouses under the Immigration law of thus United States of America.
They met nearly 20 years ago in the Netherlands.
From the start, Jenny Phipps, a Delaware native, and Ottie Pondman said they forged a bond they never shared with their husbands.
When Phipps divorced her husband of 17 years, she moved in with Pondman, a native of the Netherlands, who was already divorced. The two lived as a couple in Zoetermeer.
But when the 52-year-old Phipps decided she wanted to return to the United States following her brother's death, Pondman, 61, agreed and came over on a visa waiver program -- essentially a tourist permit -- to legally remain here.
In September, though, immigration officials gave Pondman 60 to 90 days to leave the country. Her only chance of staying was to get married.
From the start, Jenny Phipps, a Delaware native, and Ottie Pondman said they forged a bond they never shared with their husbands.
When Phipps divorced her husband of 17 years, she moved in with Pondman, a native of the Netherlands, who was already divorced. The two lived as a couple in Zoetermeer.
But when the 52-year-old Phipps decided she wanted to return to the United States following her brother's death, Pondman, 61, agreed and came over on a visa waiver program -- essentially a tourist permit -- to legally remain here.
In September, though, immigration officials gave Pondman 60 to 90 days to leave the country. Her only chance of staying was to get married.
To a mayor from a mayor in exile (Love Exiles)
Posted by
igualdad 900 days ago
(http://loveexiles.wordpress.com)
Love Exiles. Passionate about equality of binational gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender families. December 6, 2009. To a mayor from a mayor in exile. Posted by loveexiles under equal rights for families · Leave a Comment ...
Immigration reform on the agenda in the USA (Love Exiles)
Posted by
igualdad 900 days ago
(http://loveexiles.wordpress.com)
LGBT and immigration right organizations including Love Exiles have been lobbying Guiterrez to include our families. If you're reading this, please sign the petition right now to ask Guiterrez to make his bill inclusive of all American ...
Shirley Tan Advocate Activist of the Year 2009 (Political Aftermath)
Posted by
freedom2immigrate 900 days ago
(http://lezgetreal.com)
Congratulations to Shirley Tan and Jay Mercado and the boys and Mommy. Shirley was named ADVOCATE MAGAZINE ’s Activist of the Year for 2009. This is well deserved. However they may have been used in a way that could result in resentment from the community rather than the applause they deserve: Here are the comments from Immigration Equality’s (IE) BLOG site where IE makes the announcement: Quoting the Announcement by IE on their BLOG:
Senator Arlen Specter signs support for Uniting American Families Act
Posted by
USAFrance 900 days ago
(http://lezgetreal.com)
There has been a recent bevy of co-sponsors signing onto the Uniting American Families Act, the legislation that seeks to provide Lesbian and Gay Americans with the right to Petition for their same-sex spouses/ partners to live in the USA. This law merely seeks to place the words “permanent partners” into the existing Immigration and Naturalization Act. This is no time to let up, but rather imprtant that we make the most of the momentum. I have 14 couples I am trying to help remain together in the US. That is a tip of the iceberg. They are all desperate. They want to stay together and they want to stay at home. We need UAFA legialstion and awareness of the binational issue more so than ever. Please I am asking for your help.
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Today the news was immense when Senator Arlen Specter sign his support to the Bill. In June this year the Senator attended and spoke at
..
Today the news was immense when Senator Arlen Specter sign his support to the Bill. In June this year the Senator attended and spoke at
Desperately Seeking Freedom (Newsweek)
Posted by
USABound 900 days ago
(http://www.newsweek.com)
"For straights [Brazil] is dangerous, but for gays it's worse," says Luiz, 42. Though he hasn't talked to his family in close to 25 years because of their disapproval of homosexuality, coming to the United States has allowed Luiz to begin a new life, one in which he can openly live as a gay man.
Gays Stand Up to be Counted in Upcoming Census
Posted by
UnitedByLove 900 days ago
(http://www.edgemiami.com)
GLBT equality advocates are looking to see that gay and lesbian families are represented on the 2010 U.S. Census .
A Brush With Destiny
Posted by
USAFrance 900 days ago
(http://www.huntingtonnews.net)
Madison Reed and his partner deserve the same legal rights as any other American. Tragically, these two men are separated by oceans of distance and culture. I have known Madison for 7 years. We met while I was a student at Marshall University here in Huntington. Madison immediately opened up to me and became a mentor in a time where I was defining so many things about myself. He is a proud man. This pride has to do with the fact that he has seen oppression and has come out on top. He has taught me to look for the building blocks of my pride in an ability to show understanding to all people, even those who may not even try to understand me. Madison has run a business, been a mentor, and in that a positive force in Huntington. He deserves to be united with his partner, Dzmitry, not through just some political or economic union. For Madison, relationships have nothing to do with those two
There are many people throughout the United States who seem more and more unhappy with the current state of gay rights issues. This unhappiness seems particularly acute when discussing the issue of DOMA (the Defense of Marriage Act). Under current United States Federal law same sex marriages are not recognized by the Federal Government. Therefore, United States Immigration benefits based upon marriage cannot be extended to the same-sex partners of US citizens as same sex marriage is not recognized as a “marriage” for purposes of US Immigration.
Many have advocated either the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act or the enactment of some federal legislation which would allow for same sex immigration benefits notwithstanding DOMA. A recent example of the latter is the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) which would provide US Immigration benefits to “permanent partners” of US Citiz
Many have advocated either the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act or the enactment of some federal legislation which would allow for same sex immigration benefits notwithstanding DOMA. A recent example of the latter is the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) which would provide US Immigration benefits to “permanent partners” of US Citiz
Thanks to a courageous couple (Love Exiles)
Posted by
UnitedByLove 900 days ago
(http://loveexiles.wordpress.com)
Jenny and Ottie are a loving couple of 19 years, mothers of grown children, who faced a dilemma no American family should have to face: keeping their family together.
Most families don’t have to turn to the media (video) to share their grief and anger in the hope of remaining in the country they call home.
After four years in the USA, Jenny and Ottie were forced to leave their home in Delaware for exile in the Netherlands, far from Jenny’s aging parents and siblings....
Most families don’t have to turn to the media (video) to share their grief and anger in the hope of remaining in the country they call home.
After four years in the USA, Jenny and Ottie were forced to leave their home in Delaware for exile in the Netherlands, far from Jenny’s aging parents and siblings....
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Promoting public awareness of the need for fairness in immigration policy particularly as it relates to the rights of same-sex bi-national couples in the United States who seek equal immigration rights; Providing information regarding political issues relating to gay immigration equality issues, rights and policy.