http://imeq.us/info2 Your Source for imeQ Social News and Binational Networking Thu, 08 Jul 2010 16:07:49 EDT en http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/the-american-equality-bill-one-bill-for-equal-lgbt-civil-rights-join/ http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/the-american-equality-bill-one-bill-for-equal-lgbt-civil-rights-join/ Thu, 08 Jul 2010 16:07:49 EDT uluckidog immigration equality rights http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/the-american-equality-bill-one-bill-for-equal-lgbt-civil-rights-join/
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The American Equality Bill - ONE Bill for Equal LGBT Civil Rights

American Equality Bill is a proposed federal law that will amend all existing federal civil rights laws to include "sexual orientation" and "gender identity".

Drafted by Karen Doering, an attorney who has been involved in some of the most important legal LGBT victories and controversies, the bill takes the approach that piecemeal bills for various areas of discrimination -- employment and housing and credit and so on -- will take too long and too many resources to be really successful.

1 Vote(s) ]]> http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/political-expediency-controls-immigration-reform-at-expense-of-uafa/ http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/political-expediency-controls-immigration-reform-at-expense-of-uafa/ Sun, 20 Jun 2010 11:08:57 EDT Fight4theRight immigration equality rights http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/political-expediency-controls-immigration-reform-at-expense-of-uafa/
What damn idiot thought it a plan to attach UAFA to amnesty and Biometrics? The lobby of Schumer by Immigration Equality and all the rest of us idiots puppets to the lockstep delusions of three incompetent decision makers puporting to represent an entire community in its decision making without so much ads a vote. ... Senators we do not all agree with the Immigration Equality Lobby - THEY DO NOT represent us or what many of us want. ... Immigration Equality LOBBY NOW for UAFA as a

24 Vote(s) ]]> http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/potential-split-in-immigration-coalition/ http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/potential-split-in-immigration-coalition/ Sun, 20 Jun 2010 10:24:07 EDT USABound immigration equality rights http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/potential-split-in-immigration-coalition/
Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.) is holding a press conference Monday to announce that he wants to extend family immigration benefits to binational gay couples. The representative leading the charge on immigration had not included that community in his original proposal unveiled last year. ...

"This proposal threatens to undermine the opportunity to bring together the Congress and the American people around a common solution to the important challenge of immigration reform," the group said in a statement.

The gay rights issue could also alienate Evangelical leaders who could sway moderate Democrats and Republicans to support immigration.

Liberal factions in the coalition argue tha

20 Vote(s) ]]> http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/we-must-be-vigilant-on-immigration-reform/ http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/we-must-be-vigilant-on-immigration-reform/ Sun, 20 Jun 2010 10:24:07 EDT USAFrance immigration equality rights http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/we-must-be-vigilant-on-immigration-reform/
But Julie Kruse, Immigration Equality's policy director, confirmed things aren't looking good for the bill. Due to the current political climate in which incumbents fear retaliation from their constituents, and the fact that Congress' working days are numbered, no movement on immigration legislation is expected until after November. It's more likely that financial regulation and climate change will be tackled in the months ahead.

Kruse said in an e-mail, though, s

19 Vote(s) ]]> http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/love-across-oceans-us-government-is-still-a-sinking-ship/ http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/love-across-oceans-us-government-is-still-a-sinking-ship/ Sun, 20 Jun 2010 10:24:07 EDT USABound immigration equality rights http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/love-across-oceans-us-government-is-still-a-sinking-ship/
There was nothing ambiguous, however, about the situation that a dear friend of mine recently faced when she and her non-American partner had to figure out how the hell to be together despite a federal government that refuses to recognize their love and commitment. After many costly and painful twists and turns, they're now relying on an education visa. Incidentally, many international couples (heterosexual included) must rely on these visas in order to be together, as they can be far less costly than hiring a lawyer and going through marriage proceedings.

In any case, I wanted to shine a spotlight

18 Vote(s) ]]> http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/action-towards-immigration-reform-for-same-sex-bi-national-couples-may-begin-soon/ http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/action-towards-immigration-reform-for-same-sex-bi-national-couples-may-begin-soon/ Sun, 20 Jun 2010 10:24:07 EDT WantMyFreedom2 immigration equality rights http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/action-towards-immigration-reform-for-same-sex-bi-national-couples-may-begin-soon/
Authored by Assembly Member Kevin de Leon, CA-45, AJR 15 declares California's disapproval of current US Immigration laws which forbids Same-Sex bi-national couples the opportunity from being able to sponsor their partners for immigration purposes.

16 Vote(s) ]]> http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/us-anti-gay-immigration-policies-may-be-influenced-by-united-nations-review/ http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/us-anti-gay-immigration-policies-may-be-influenced-by-united-nations-review/ Sun, 20 Jun 2010 10:24:07 EDT Fight4theRight immigration equality rights http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/us-anti-gay-immigration-policies-may-be-influenced-by-united-nations-review/
The United States has also felt Dittrich's influence. Through his involvement with the U.S. Council for Global Equality, he pushed the State Department to require all American ambassadors to include reports on LGBT issues in the countries where they are stationed.

7 Vote(s) ]]> http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/resolution-to-support-gay-binational-couples-heads-to-california-senate/ http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/resolution-to-support-gay-binational-couples-heads-to-california-senate/ Sun, 20 Jun 2010 10:03:06 EDT LauREN immigration equality rights http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/resolution-to-support-gay-binational-couples-heads-to-california-senate/
Our cover story this week, "Worlds Apart," tells the story of three Bay Area couples whose lives would be changed by the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA), a federal bill that allows "permanent partners" to be treated the same as straight spouses in immigration matters. Currently, gay couples have no legal pathway to sponsor their foreign partners to stay in the country.


While the federal UAFA bill is on hold while lawmakers decide whether to include it in the comprehensive immigration reform, California legislators such as Assemblyman Tom Ammiano (D-San Francisco) introduced a resolution last year urging the U.S. Congress to pass the s

10 Vote(s) ]]> http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/rare-permission-by-dhs-for-binational-couple/ http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/rare-permission-by-dhs-for-binational-couple/ Sun, 20 Jun 2010 10:03:06 EDT BinatUK immigration equality rights http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/rare-permission-by-dhs-for-binational-couple/
Tim Coco and Genesio Oliveira married in 2005, when same-sex marriage became legal in Massachusetts.

However because gay people are unable to sponsor a spouse for immigration to the USA in parity with heterosexual couples, they were separated for nearly three years with Tim in Massachusetts and Genesio stuck in Brazil..

In an extraordinarily rare show of compassion, the immigration officials granted permission for Genesio to enter the USA and remain here for one year on humanitarian grounds, clearing the way for him to try again for legal residency.


Coco said he has spent about $250,000 in legal bills. A h

5 Vote(s) ]]> http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/evangelicals-push-exclusion-of-uafa-advocate/ http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/evangelicals-push-exclusion-of-uafa-advocate/ Sun, 20 Jun 2010 10:03:06 EDT freedom2immigrate immigration equality rights http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/evangelicals-push-exclusion-of-uafa-advocate/
Groups such as the National Association of Evangelicals and the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference have joined Mathew Staver, founder and chairman of the conservative legal group Liberty Counsel, in vehemently opposing inclusion of the Uniting American Families Act, which would allow American citizens and green card holders to sponsor their foreign-born same-sex partners for residency.


7 Vote(s) ]]> http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/religious-groups-counter-evangelical-opposition-to-equality-in-immigration-reform/ http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/religious-groups-counter-evangelical-opposition-to-equality-in-immigration-reform/ Sun, 20 Jun 2010 10:03:06 EDT USABound immigration equality rights http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/religious-groups-counter-evangelical-opposition-to-equality-in-immigration-reform/
But as I reported on Monday, that support comes with a caveat: no equality for gay and lesbian couples.

Now religious groups who support LGBT equality have pushed back, issuing a statement through the group Immigration Equality Action Fund condemning evangelical efforts to exclude the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) from a comprehensive reform package.


25 Vote(s) ]]> http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/worlds-apart-freedom-to-marry/ http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/worlds-apart-freedom-to-marry/ Sun, 20 Jun 2010 10:03:06 EDT BinationalHope immigration equality rights http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/worlds-apart-freedom-to-marry/
"Now that Arizona's 'papers please' law has pushed immigration reform to Washington's front burner, Democrats propose allowing 'permanent partners' to be treated the same as spouses under immigration law. While 19 countries have similar policies, it won't be an easy sell: The gay lobby fears they'll be sacrificed as a bargaining chip to get Republicans on board, while pro-immigrant groups worry that adding in gays will ruin any chance for reform for everyone else.

"While critics say le

4 Vote(s) ]]> http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/council-supports-bill-giving-equal-immigration-rights-to-same-sex-couples/ http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/council-supports-bill-giving-equal-immigration-rights-to-same-sex-couples/ Sun, 20 Jun 2010 10:03:06 EDT USAFrance immigration equality rights http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/council-supports-bill-giving-equal-immigration-rights-to-same-sex-couples/
Councilman At-Large David Catania authored the resolution last week, and the other 12 members of the council co-introduced it.

U.S. immigration law does not allow same-sex citizens and permanent residents to sponsor foreign-born partners for immigration benefits.

The UAFA, introduced in the House by U.S. Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., and in the Senate by Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., would "amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate discrimination in the immigration laws by permitting permanent partners of United States citizens and lawful permanent residents to obtain lawful permanent resident status in the same manner as spouses of citizens and lawful permanent residents and to penalize immigration fraud in connec

5 Vote(s) ]]> http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/is-immigration-rights-for-same-sex-couples-possible/ http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/is-immigration-rights-for-same-sex-couples-possible/ Sun, 20 Jun 2010 09:43:04 EDT BinatUK immigration equality rights http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/is-immigration-rights-for-same-sex-couples-possible/
Gay couples in this situation have no legal recourse, an issue that SF Weekly recently highlighted with the stories of several same-sex couples who were separated by US immigration law, or had one partner living in the United States illegally.

Because the federal Defense of Marriage Act prohibits legal recognition of same-sex relationships, couples married in California, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa and Vermont can't sponsor their spouses for citizenship either.

Democrats in the Senate have included a provision for same-sex couples in their immigration reform proposal released April 29, which will give them the same immigration rights as straight cou

7 Vote(s) ]]> http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/calling-for-a-new-direction-by-marrying-dream-act-to-uafa/ http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/calling-for-a-new-direction-by-marrying-dream-act-to-uafa/ Sun, 20 Jun 2010 09:43:04 EDT freedom2immigrate immigration equality rights http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/calling-for-a-new-direction-by-marrying-dream-act-to-uafa/
Gays and Lesbian spouses in the USA cannot sponsor foreign born partners for immigration to the USA, commensurate with that very right, freely exercised by different-gender couples.

Contextually, this fight has been going on for well over a decade and has a history of Bills introduced, none of which garnished as much traction as the Bill introduced by Democratic Congressman Jerrold Nadler of New last year, The Uniting AMERICAN Families Act. (UAFA)

3 Vote(s) ]]> http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/activists-calling-for-stronger-proactive-counter-catholic-bishop-action/ http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/activists-calling-for-stronger-proactive-counter-catholic-bishop-action/ Sun, 20 Jun 2010 09:43:04 EDT USABound immigration equality rights http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/activists-calling-for-stronger-proactive-counter-catholic-bishop-action/
However Immigration equality thinks this is no big deal and assert that the gay community has the upper hand on this one.

Today Steve Ralls, the spokesperson for Immigration Equality, speaking again to Kerry Eleveld at to the Advocate - said the breadth of support that has developed for folding gay families into the bill puts conservatives at a disadvantage. The combination of all those things

7 Vote(s) ]]> http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/proclamation-acknowledges-2-dads-yet-exacerbates-discrimination/ http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/proclamation-acknowledges-2-dads-yet-exacerbates-discrimination/ Sun, 20 Jun 2010 09:43:04 EDT Fight4theRight immigration equality rights http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/proclamation-acknowledges-2-dads-yet-exacerbates-discrimination/
Mr. President - The bi-national couples, despite poor leadership and wild goose chases, want UAFA as a stand alone Bill- we are not willing to wait for Immigration reform, the latter still unavailable in Bill form. Frameworks do not cut it for us as we wait in fear, detention, exile, suicidal, desperate, lonely!

4 Vote(s) ]]> http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/obama-and-lgbt-rights/ http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/obama-and-lgbt-rights/ Sun, 20 Jun 2010 09:43:04 EDT UnitedByLove immigration equality rights http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/obama-and-lgbt-rights/
But now that almost a third of Obama's first term has gone by, there is growing despair among many of his LGBT supporters over how little the administration has accomplished on gay rights. We have been here before. Eighteen years ago many gay rights advocates celebrated the election of President Clinton, the first presidential candidate to reach out to the LGBT c

11 Vote(s) ]]> http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/jen-us-and-loz-uk-lgbt-immigration-stories/ http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/jen-us-and-loz-uk-lgbt-immigration-stories/ Sun, 20 Jun 2010 09:43:04 EDT igualdad immigration equality rights http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/jen-us-and-loz-uk-lgbt-immigration-stories/
Kristen Hall intertwines the necessary optimism and ever-lingering pessimism same-sex bi-national couples suffer in these two lines from one of my favourites of her insightfully written songs. When I listen to her velvety voice wrapping itself around these words, I feel the bristle of pain and anger that springs from a relationship started with pure joy and naïveté. Like many who are partnered with a same-sex foreigner, I often find myself teetering between tossing in the towel and jumping full force into the uncertainty of starting over, propelled equally by love and desperation.

I'm not over-dramatising-I'm a girl in love with a girl who just happens to come from another country, my country's greatest ally-the United Kingdom. The mor

22 Vote(s) ]]> http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/gutierrez-and-quigley-push-lgbt-rights-in-immigration-reform/ http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/gutierrez-and-quigley-push-lgbt-rights-in-immigration-reform/ Sun, 20 Jun 2010 08:40:41 EDT USAFrance immigration equality rights http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/gutierrez-and-quigley-push-lgbt-rights-in-immigration-reform/
"Our legal immigration system is so dysfunctional and restrictive that we have created incentives for people to go around our system rather than going through it," Gutierrez said. "Nowhere is this more true than for committed same-sex couples who have to make a painful choice between their family and the immigration laws of the U.S. that do not recognize these family units for the purposes of immigration."

At a press conference at the Center on Halsted, Gutierrez said U.S. laws that allow heterosexuals to sponsor a partner for citizenship, but not gays and lesbians, send the wrong message.

"It seems t

25 Vote(s) ]]> http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/us-senator-help-brazilian-man-reunite-with-his-american-husband/ http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/us-senator-help-brazilian-man-reunite-with-his-american-husband/ Sun, 20 Jun 2010 08:40:41 EDT USABound immigration equality rights http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/us-senator-help-brazilian-man-reunite-with-his-american-husband/
Nearly three years ago, the couple split when Oliveira was forced to return to Brazil after being denied permanent residency in the U.S. because the federal government does not recognize same-sex marriages.

The pair maintained contact through online video chats and sporadic visits during holidays.

The case gained international attention from gay rights and immigrant advocates who criticized U.S. officials for separating the couple even though they were legally married.

17 Vote(s) ]]> http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/brazilian-man-and-massachusetts-husband-rejoin-in-asylum-case/ http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/brazilian-man-and-massachusetts-husband-rejoin-in-asylum-case/ Sun, 20 Jun 2010 08:40:41 EDT USABound immigration equality rights http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/brazilian-man-and-massachusetts-husband-rejoin-in-asylum-case/
Brazilian-born Genesio "Junior" Oliveira rejoined Tim Coco, 49, of Haverhill, at an emotional reunion at Boston's Logan International Airport.

Gay rights and immigrant advocates declared the case a rare victory for gay, married asylum seekers.

12 Vote(s) ]]> http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/love-without-borders-or-papers/ http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/love-without-borders-or-papers/ Sun, 20 Jun 2010 08:40:41 EDT ExileComingHome immigration equality rights http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/love-without-borders-or-papers/
Eventually, though, they had to face the fact that their future would be fraught with possibly insurmountable challenges. Their problem is not a previous relationship or children, not a chronic illness or a lie revealed. It's that Tom's partner is not a U.S. citizen, they are both men, and they are trying to make a life together in the United States, whose laws do not recognise their relationship.


16 Vote(s) ]]> http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/support-for-marriage-equality-surges-in-washington-state/ http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/support-for-marriage-equality-surges-in-washington-state/ Sun, 20 Jun 2010 08:40:41 EDT OneVoice immigration equality rights http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/support-for-marriage-equality-surges-in-washington-state/
We need to make sure that voters in Washington understand that until Washington State issues marriage licenses to its gay and lesbian citizens we will not be able to make progress towards these important federal protections such as social security, immigration rights, and equal treatment under the IRS tax code."

19 Vote(s) ]]> http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/hrc-ditches-illinois-sorta-gay-friendly-republican-for-homo-loving-democrat-2/ http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/hrc-ditches-illinois-sorta-gay-friendly-republican-for-homo-loving-democrat-2/ Sun, 20 Jun 2010 08:40:39 EDT igualdad immigration equality rights http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/hrc-ditches-illinois-sorta-gay-friendly-republican-for-homo-loving-democrat-2/
If you can't count on the Human Rights Campaign to effectively lobby lawmakers to actually effect change, at the very least you can, say, use their Corporate Equality Index to decide whether your contribution to climate change should be backed by the gay-friendly Chevron or the gay-hating ExxonMobil. And then there's HRC's recommendations for who you should vote for, which, with Rep. Mark Kirk, it just proved you shouldn't really trust either.

11 Vote(s) ]]> http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/rep-gutierrez-wants-path-to-citizenship-for-foreign-partners-in-same-sex-relationships/ http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/rep-gutierrez-wants-path-to-citizenship-for-foreign-partners-in-same-sex-relationships/ Sun, 20 Jun 2010 07:46:04 EDT OnBorrowedTime immigration equality rights http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/rep-gutierrez-wants-path-to-citizenship-for-foreign-partners-in-same-sex-relationships/
1 Vote(s) ]]> http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/march-in-dc-and-tell-congress-to-pass-uafa-now/ http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/march-in-dc-and-tell-congress-to-pass-uafa-now/ Fri, 19 Mar 2010 10:11:22 EDT uluckidog immigration equality rights http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/march-in-dc-and-tell-congress-to-pass-uafa-now/
Current immigration policy unfairly discriminates against LGBT binational couples by not allowing U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents to sponsor foreign-born partners for immigration. We must call on Congress for the swift passage of the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA), proposed legislation that would provide LGBT couples with the same immigration benefits as different-sex couples.

11 Vote(s) ]]> http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/the-moment-to-be-heard-and-included-is-here/ http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/the-moment-to-be-heard-and-included-is-here/ Fri, 19 Mar 2010 10:11:22 EDT BinationalHope immigration equality rights http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/the-moment-to-be-heard-and-included-is-here/ Now, however, there is renewed energy and focus on the issue. And that, in turn, must be a wake-up call, and a rallying cry, for the LGBT community, too.

18 Vote(s) ]]> http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/vigil-at-the-monument/ http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/vigil-at-the-monument/ Fri, 19 Mar 2010 09:28:58 EDT BrenDAL immigration equality rights http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/vigil-at-the-monument/
They are Americans who suffer human rights violations due to unequal treatment in U.S. law and policy that does not permit them to sponsor their foreign same-sex partners to live with them in the States. Tens of thousands of Americans are in the same heart-breaking predicament: they must choose between continuing their lives in the States or leaving America to live in exile - simply to preserve and protect their primary family relationships.

Vigil participants will carry pictures of themselves with their partners and represent binational families everywhere who are either separated, living in fear of deportation, or exiled in other countries where they are legally recognized as fami

4 Vote(s) ]]> http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/lgbt-contingent-to-join-weekend-immigration-rally/ http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/lgbt-contingent-to-join-weekend-immigration-rally/ Fri, 19 Mar 2010 09:28:58 EDT Fight4theRight immigration equality rights http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/lgbt-contingent-to-join-weekend-immigration-rally/
Tens of thousands of demonstrators - perhaps even up to 100,000 - are expected to gather Sunday at 2 p.m. on the National Mall to call for passing immigration reform this year. Reform Immigration for America, a coalition of immigration reform organizations, is staging the event.

Within this larger protest, a contingent of about 200 protesters is set to advocate for LGBT inclusion in immigration reform, and in particular, a provision to help same-sex bi-national couples.

Because same-sex couples don't have federal marriage rights that are available to straight couples, LGBT people in same-sex relationships with a foreign national cannot marry their partne

21 Vote(s) ]]> http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/firm-calls-for-lgbt-inclusion-in-immigration-reform/ http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/firm-calls-for-lgbt-inclusion-in-immigration-reform/ Fri, 19 Mar 2010 09:28:58 EDT BinationalHope immigration equality rights http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/firm-calls-for-lgbt-inclusion-in-immigration-reform/
We believe that keeping families together should be an integral part of comprehensive immigration reform. We believe that we strengthen our communities and our nation when we support the right of all families to stay together, including LGBT families.

This is why we support the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA). UAFA would add the term "permanent partner" to those sections of the Immigration and Naturalization Act that apply to legally married couples. Under UAF

7 Vote(s) ]]> http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/chicago-forum-discusses-lgbt-immigration-reform/ http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/chicago-forum-discusses-lgbt-immigration-reform/ Fri, 19 Mar 2010 09:28:58 EDT freedom2immigrate immigration equality rights http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/chicago-forum-discusses-lgbt-immigration-reform/
3 Vote(s) ]]> http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/the-immigration-reform-conundrum-2/ http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/the-immigration-reform-conundrum-2/ Fri, 19 Mar 2010 09:22:01 EDT Fight4theRight immigration equality rights http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/the-immigration-reform-conundrum-2/
When thousands of marchers descend on the National Mall this Sunday to rally support for immigration reform, hundreds of them will be representing the LGBT population.

"Immigration Equality has registered 200 marchers and has also learned that an additional 100 LGBT advocates will be coming to D.C. by bus to join us at the march," Steve Ralls, director of communications for the organization, said Tuesday. "We're now expecting a contingent of more than 300, standing for LGBT immigrants and families on the National Mall."

Immigration activists hope to impress upon Congress that they expect to see action taken on immigration reform this year, even as President Barack Obama dec

20 Vote(s) ]]> http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/obama-immigration-reform/ http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/obama-immigration-reform/ Fri, 19 Mar 2010 09:22:01 EDT UnitedByLove immigration equality rights http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/obama-immigration-reform/
14 Vote(s) ]]> http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/lgbtq-march-on-sunday-for-immigration-reform/ http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/lgbtq-march-on-sunday-for-immigration-reform/ Fri, 19 Mar 2010 09:22:01 EDT BinationalHope immigration equality rights http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/lgbtq-march-on-sunday-for-immigration-reform/
This time for LGBT Immigration Domestic Partnership Rights and Immigration Reform!!!

Please join the Parade in D.C. (see below) or by bus from NYC:

7 Vote(s) ]]> http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/immigration-activists-call-out-obama/ http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/immigration-activists-call-out-obama/ Fri, 19 Mar 2010 09:22:01 EDT UnitedByLove immigration equality rights http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/immigration-activists-call-out-obama/
14 Vote(s) ]]> http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/hrc-participating-in-rally-sunday-for-comprehensive-immigration/ http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/hrc-participating-in-rally-sunday-for-comprehensive-immigration/ Fri, 19 Mar 2010 09:22:01 EDT DividedByLaw immigration equality rights http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/hrc-participating-in-rally-sunday-for-comprehensive-immigration/
6 Vote(s) ]]> http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/marriage-equality-is-a-reality-in-mexico-city-what-about-immigration-rights/ http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/marriage-equality-is-a-reality-in-mexico-city-what-about-immigration-rights/ Fri, 19 Mar 2010 08:32:35 EDT SFbeat immigration equality rights http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/marriage-equality-is-a-reality-in-mexico-city-what-about-immigration-rights/
12 Vote(s) ]]> http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/why-the-2010-census-matters-to-lgbt-americans/ http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/why-the-2010-census-matters-to-lgbt-americans/ Fri, 19 Mar 2010 08:32:35 EDT BrenDAL immigration equality rights http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/why-the-2010-census-matters-to-lgbt-americans/
GayPolitics sat down with two people deeply involved in making sure the LGBT community understands what has changed and why it's important that our community participates as fully as possible.

Che Ruddell-Tabisola is the manager for National LGBT Partnerships and coordinator of Our Families Count, a new effort by the U.S. Census Bureau to engage the LGBT community. Bob Witeck is CEO and co-founder of Witeck-Combs Communications. He is serving as media coordinator for Our Families Count and is working with Che to promote the effort nationwide.

3 Vote(s) ]]> http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/gay-immigration-bill-gains-key-cosponsor-the-advocate/ http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/gay-immigration-bill-gains-key-cosponsor-the-advocate/ Fri, 19 Mar 2010 08:32:35 EDT MikeLA immigration equality rights http://imeq.us/info2/category/immigration-equality-rights/gay-immigration-bill-gains-key-cosponsor-the-advocate/
Waters's support comes at a crucial time for LGBT immigration reform. Last week 60 Congress members issued a letter to President Barack Obama and congressional leaders urging passage of the legislation, originally introduced in the House by New York representative Jerrold Nadler and in the Senate by Vermont's Patrick Leahy.

6 Vote(s) ]]>