Massachusetts Senator John Kerry says he supports a new lawsuit against the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).
Tim Coco and Genesio “Junior” Oliveira, a binational gay couple, announced Monday they would challenge the 13-year-old law that bans the federal government from recognizing the marriages of gay and lesbian couples.
Oliveira, 30, returned to his native Brazil in 2007 after an immigration judged denied his request for asylum. He sought asylum in the U.S. in 2002 because he said he was raped as a teenager. In March, Senator Kerry sent a letter asking for intervention in the matter to Attorney General Eric Holder. On Friday, Coco told the AP that the deadline for Holder to act had passed without action from the administration, effectively supporting Oliveira's denial of asylum and keeping the men apart.
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Senator Kerry Supports NEW DOMA Lawsuit
Posted by
freedom2immigrate 930 days ago
(http://www.ontopmag.com)
Inaction from Obama Keeps Married Gay Couple Separated
Posted by
BinatUK 930 days ago
(http://www.towleroad.com)
Despite a plea from Senator John Kerry, Attorney General Eric Holder has refused to act in the asylum case of Genesio "Junior" Oliveira, who requested asylum in the U.S. in 2002. In 2005, he was married in Massachusetts to his husband Tim Coco, but the couple have been separated since 2007 when Oliveira was sent back to Brazil after his asylum requests and appeals were denied.
Maine Marriage Setback a Call to Action for Federal LGBT Rights
Posted by
BinatUK 930 days ago
(http://www.indybay.org)
The State of Maine’s rejection of marriage equality at the ballot box yesterday is being heeded as a call for federal LGBT rights by activists and organizations around the US, including Out4Immigration.
The Maine vote was 53% in support of taking away civil marriage rights granted to gays and lesbians by approval of the state legislature and signed into law by the state’s governor 6 months ago. 47% of voters supported marriage equality. “Subjecting minority rights to majority vote repeatedly denies equality to LGBT families,” said Mickey Lim, vice president and co-founder of Out4Immigration, a grassroots organization that works closely with same-sex marriage groups for recognition of same-sex binational couple rights tied to federal immigration policies.
Out4Immigation advocates for same-sex binational couples, relationships in which one partner is American and
The Maine vote was 53% in support of taking away civil marriage rights granted to gays and lesbians by approval of the state legislature and signed into law by the state’s governor 6 months ago. 47% of voters supported marriage equality. “Subjecting minority rights to majority vote repeatedly denies equality to LGBT families,” said Mickey Lim, vice president and co-founder of Out4Immigration, a grassroots organization that works closely with same-sex marriage groups for recognition of same-sex binational couple rights tied to federal immigration policies.
Out4Immigation advocates for same-sex binational couples, relationships in which one partner is American and
The Sunday Star-Times (via Stuff) reported that the longtime aide to former Prime Minister Helen Clark, Heather Simpson, has married her partner, Sue Veart, in a civil union at their home in Wellington. Clark, whose government created civil unions, did not attend.
The article talked about Simpsons political power during Clark’s Labour-led government, before moving on to how Simpson had her “arm twisted” to work for Clark at the United Nations in New York City. Apparently Veart recently left her job so she could join Simpson.
The article said: “One acquaintance said she believed the civil union would make it easier for Veart to live in the US.” Personally, I doubt that’s true, given Simpson’s well-known political nous. She would know that no foreign or domestic legal recognition of same-sex relationships—whether civil unions or marriages—are recognised by the US
The article talked about Simpsons political power during Clark’s Labour-led government, before moving on to how Simpson had her “arm twisted” to work for Clark at the United Nations in New York City. Apparently Veart recently left her job so she could join Simpson.
The article said: “One acquaintance said she believed the civil union would make it easier for Veart to live in the US.” Personally, I doubt that’s true, given Simpson’s well-known political nous. She would know that no foreign or domestic legal recognition of same-sex relationships—whether civil unions or marriages—are recognised by the US
US Immigration Law Tearing Apart Life Love and Home #NEM
Posted by
ATLdave 956 days ago
(http://www.huffingtonpost.com)
full equality for the LGBT community. The event, named the National Equality March, comes on the heels of growing calls for the federal government to pick up the pace on civil rights legislation, such as recognition for LGBT couples, repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and finally passing an inclusive employment non-discrimination act. Organizers say they are expecting tens of thousands – if not hundreds of thousands – of participants for the event.
Steve and Joe, however, will be notably absent.
The couple, who recently married in Connecticut and bought a home in Washington, D.C., will not be in the capital on Sunday. Instead, they will be packing Joe’s belongings. Under federal law, Steve and Joe are no longer allowed to live together in the country they call home.
Steve and Joe, however, will be notably absent.
The couple, who recently married in Connecticut and bought a home in Washington, D.C., will not be in the capital on Sunday. Instead, they will be packing Joe’s belongings. Under federal law, Steve and Joe are no longer allowed to live together in the country they call home.
Gay couples challenge federal marriage law as Republicans prepare for battle
Posted by
uluckidog 962 days ago
(http://www.sacbee.com)
As one of 18,000 legally wed same-sex couples in California, Brad Levenson and Tony Sears file state income taxes as a married couple.
But they file their federal taxes as single individuals, paying hundreds of dollars more each year. That's because a law called the Defense of Marriage Act bars federal agencies from recognizing gay marriages.
Backers of gay rights are pushing to repeal the law, buoyed by a growing acceptance of same-sex marriage, which is now legal in six states.
But Republicans on Capitol Hill are ready to fight....
But they file their federal taxes as single individuals, paying hundreds of dollars more each year. That's because a law called the Defense of Marriage Act bars federal agencies from recognizing gay marriages.
Backers of gay rights are pushing to repeal the law, buoyed by a growing acceptance of same-sex marriage, which is now legal in six states.
But Republicans on Capitol Hill are ready to fight....
Congress Makes A Move
Posted by
UnitedByLove 962 days ago
(http://pargoletta.livejournal.com)
It's not a perfect bill; if you click a few links and look at the text, it wouldn't immediately make gay marriage the law of the entire land. What it would do is entitle the federal government to recognize same-sex marriages contracted in those states and foreign countries that allow them. My college friend and her wife in Massachusetts, for instance, could get federal marriage benefits as well as state benefits, but their marriage would still probably not be recognized in Arkansas. However, the bill also recognizes foreign gay marriage, so that, say, a married Canadian couple could move to Massachusetts and still have their marriage be recognized.
The other thing I like about this bill is that it smooths a little more of the path for the Uniting American Families Act, which is a bill that would try to take care of Americans who go abroad to marry same-sex partners who are
The other thing I like about this bill is that it smooths a little more of the path for the Uniting American Families Act, which is a bill that would try to take care of Americans who go abroad to marry same-sex partners who are
Jerrold Nadler vs Barney Frank and LGBT Unity
Posted by
DividedByLaw 983 days ago
(http://www.pinkbananaworld.com)
Here is the dilemma – enter my other Congressional Hero, Rep Barney Frank, openly Gay and yet has not signed on to cosponsor this Bill with other “OUT” Representatives such as Tammy Baldwin and Jared Polis. The reason apparently is because of “strategic differences.” In a nutshell he believes that the “Certainty Clause” could in fact turn out to be an impediment to the passing of the Bill.
Now I have to think about where I stand on this one. Do I support The Nadler Bill? Of course I must support the Nadler Bill. Just think – if DOMA is repealed, Binationals seeking immigration rights will automatically be included, and of course all those 1,138 benefits would apply to every gay married couple. This would have the impact of a catchall amendment to the Civil Rights Act. It would eliminate the need for some (exclude DADT/ ENDA and HATE CRIMES) of other stand alone/ piecemeal l
Now I have to think about where I stand on this one. Do I support The Nadler Bill? Of course I must support the Nadler Bill. Just think – if DOMA is repealed, Binationals seeking immigration rights will automatically be included, and of course all those 1,138 benefits would apply to every gay married couple. This would have the impact of a catchall amendment to the Civil Rights Act. It would eliminate the need for some (exclude DADT/ ENDA and HATE CRIMES) of other stand alone/ piecemeal l
Responsible Tourism and Immigration Reform
Posted by
uluckidog 1007 days ago
(http://www.machamexico.com)
In light of all this, I believe that any American tourist to Mexico should support reforming immigration laws in the United States to create more pathways to legalization. I feel particularly strongly that the queer people and women who make up the primary audience of this blog, who have themselves experienced what it is like to feel invisible, to feel underrepresented in the country in which you live, need to add their voices to the growing chorus of those calling for more just immigration reform.
Although I believe that the United States needs broad immigration reform across immigrant populations, as half of a bi-national lesbian couple and as the teacher of many undocumented high school students, I can recommend two good places to start: the DREAM Act and the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA)....
Although I believe that the United States needs broad immigration reform across immigrant populations, as half of a bi-national lesbian couple and as the teacher of many undocumented high school students, I can recommend two good places to start: the DREAM Act and the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA)....
The State of the Same-Sex Union Part Three in a Three Part Series (FindLaw)
Posted by
MarcoMUC 1023 days ago
(http://us.rd.yahoo.com)
In the previous parts of this series (available here and here ), we described the history of the fight over same-sex marriage in the United States and mapped out the current national landscape, which features full marriage equality rights in some states, quasi-marriage rights in other states, and absolute bans on same-sex marriage in a large majority of states.
Because of these anti-recognition provisions, same-sex partners who validly marry in Massachusetts, or in another state or foreign country that permits such unions, will not have their marriages recognized by most other states. Thus, by moving or even traveling, a same-sex couple can effectively lose their marital status while in other states. That same couple will also be denied recognition for any federal law purpose such as immigration, Social Security benefits, or tax status.
Covered:
Marriage
Because of these anti-recognition provisions, same-sex partners who validly marry in Massachusetts, or in another state or foreign country that permits such unions, will not have their marriages recognized by most other states. Thus, by moving or even traveling, a same-sex couple can effectively lose their marital status while in other states. That same couple will also be denied recognition for any federal law purpose such as immigration, Social Security benefits, or tax status.
Covered:
Marriage
A Gross Unfairness The Workings of the Straight State (The Nation)
Posted by
BinatUK 1028 days ago
(http://www.thenation.com)
It is not really news that inhabitants of the United States are governed by what historian Margot Canaday calls, in the title of her excellent book, a "straight state." For some time now, scholars of sexuality (following in the footsteps of those who have studied and challenged the race and gender hierarchies embedded in state policies and actions) have professed the analytical goal of what historian Lisa Duggan, writing in 1994, called "queering the state." These scholars have argued that the supposed naturalness of the heterosexual couple, and the unnaturalness of alternatives, is presumed and reinforced in the ordinary workings of government. Canaday's substantial contribution is to trace, in gripping and at times horrifying detail, exactly how the United States came to operate in this fashion over the course of much of the twentieth century. The Straight State provides a compelling
When the couple flew back to the United States, Campos-Maidhof learned a painful lesson — one that millions of other binational spouses have encountered because they didn't do enough research on immigration laws, assumed that certain requirements didn't apply to them or tried their best to follow the rules but received bad advice.
“This has been the most traumatic situation I've experienced in my life,” Campos-Maidhof, 31, said by phone from Costa Rica.
The road to married bliss for binational couples can be paved with legal land mines. People frequently — and wrongly — presume that when one person is a U.S. citizen, it's easy for the foreign-born bride or groom to obtain permanent legal status.
“This has been the most traumatic situation I've experienced in my life,” Campos-Maidhof, 31, said by phone from Costa Rica.
The road to married bliss for binational couples can be paved with legal land mines. People frequently — and wrongly — presume that when one person is a U.S. citizen, it's easy for the foreign-born bride or groom to obtain permanent legal status.
DADT UAFA Food For Thought
Posted by
uluckidog 1030 days ago
(http://pizzadiavola.wordpress.com)
DADT is to me what a lack of UAFA [Uniting American Families Act] is to a binational couple. It means that officially, I do not exist to my Beloved. It means little things, seemingly trivial parts of the closet we are all familiar with. When her fellow troops chat about what they did over the weekend with their spouses and children, she “hung out with friends.” When her command has picnics or other “family days,” she goes alone or not at all. When she receives an award or is promoted, I am not there to smile, take pictures, or pin on her new rank, like other wives are. …
Immigration Reform Must Include Same sex Couples
Posted by
DividedByLaw 1038 days ago
(http://gayapartheid.blogspot.com)
Steve RallsDirector of Communications at Immigration Equality has written a column on Huffington Post about Steve & Joe.The Washington, D.C. couple, who have been together for almost a decade, recently bought a new home in the city's Columbia Heights neighborhood. Two weeks ago, they were married in Connecticut. And in early August, they will celebrate their life together with friends and family who will gather to toast the couple and salute their commitment to each other.
But there will be no gifts at Steve and Joe's Washington celebration. Instead of registering at Macy's or collecting appliances and furnishings, they have asked guests to make a contribution that, they hope, will help them stay together. Despite their strong commitment to each other, and the life they have built together, Steve and Joe face separation before year's end because of the country's blatantly d
But there will be no gifts at Steve and Joe's Washington celebration. Instead of registering at Macy's or collecting appliances and furnishings, they have asked guests to make a contribution that, they hope, will help them stay together. Despite their strong commitment to each other, and the life they have built together, Steve and Joe face separation before year's end because of the country's blatantly d
Gratuitous cruelty by the US towards American Gay Couples
Posted by
Fight4theRight 1038 days ago
(http://citizenchris.typepad.com)
"This is simply gratuitous cruelty. It serves no interest of the United States to be cruel to these people."
That's how Congressman Jerrold Nadler describes the situation for the latest bi-national couple to undergo forced separation by the United States due to its arcane immigration laws.
You can read the full story in today's Metro Weekly.
In summary, Steve and Joe have been together for 9 years. They are legally partnered in DC and legally married in Connecticut. Steve is a US citizen and Joe was born in Indonesia but was educated in the US and has been here on a student visa and then a work visa, always legally. He was days away from gaining his permanent residency (green card), but was just laid off, which stops everything and gives him 30 days to leave the country. If Joe were a woman, the marriage would be recognized and he/she would have gotten a
That's how Congressman Jerrold Nadler describes the situation for the latest bi-national couple to undergo forced separation by the United States due to its arcane immigration laws.
You can read the full story in today's Metro Weekly.
In summary, Steve and Joe have been together for 9 years. They are legally partnered in DC and legally married in Connecticut. Steve is a US citizen and Joe was born in Indonesia but was educated in the US and has been here on a student visa and then a work visa, always legally. He was days away from gaining his permanent residency (green card), but was just laid off, which stops everything and gives him 30 days to leave the country. If Joe were a woman, the marriage would be recognized and he/she would have gotten a
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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.