The press has made much of how evangelicals -- remember, those people who only care about abortion and same sex marriage! -- are embracing a bigger agenda and breaking ranks with Republicans by endorsing comprehensive 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.
Search results for families
Our earlier reports came to fruition when today the Unites States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the National Association of Evangelicals, urged through a press call for support of comprehensive immigration reform and specifically for the exclusion of same-sex partners from immigration reform, thereby insisting on the status quo for gay and lesbian couples – exile, detention, hiding and no visas or sponsorship for same-sex couples in loving committed relationships.
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
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
Calling for a New Direction by Marrying DREAM ACT to UAFA
Posted by
freedom2immigrate 704 days ago
(http://lezgetreal.com)
Grassroot sloggers amount to a handful, a small dedicated group that has done an enormous amount of work with no resources at hand. This group of people, some under the Out4Immigration banner and others unpaid independent activists have fought hard for the ideal of one basic right – Equality – and in this instance equality under the immigration law.
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)
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)
Evangelicals Push Exclusion of UAFA (Advocate)
Posted by
freedom2immigrate 704 days ago
(http://www.advocate.com)
Evangelical leaders on the far right held a press call Wednesday urging lawmakers on Capitol Hill to pass comprehensive immigration reform but exclude LGBT families from the legislation.
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.
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.
Resolution To Support Gay Binational Couples Heads To California Senate
Posted by
LauREN 704 days ago
(http://blogs.sfweekly.com)
A resolution supporting the federal bill that would allow gay U.S. citizens to sponsor their partners for a visa passed the California Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday and now heads to the Senate floor for a vote.
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
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
FIRM Calls For LGBT Inclusion In Immigration Reform
Posted by
BinationalHope 797 days ago
(http://www.communitychange.org)
We are moved by stories of bi-national couples who are fighting to keep their families together amidst a broken immigration system. Thousands of bi-national couples who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) are at risk of separation. With no clear pathway towards legalization nor federal recognition of same-sex couples, these couples live constantly in a state of fear or exile.
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
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
The Immigration Reform Conundrum
Posted by
Fight4theRight 797 days ago
(http://nclrights.wordpress.com)
Gay immigrants will be helped by immigration reform, even if it doesn’t allow gay Americans to sponsor their partners. But should you support a bill that excludes LGBT families?
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
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
Obama immigration reform
Posted by
UnitedByLove 797 days ago
(http://www.immigration-greencard.com)
To all of those against immigration reform: Oh yeah, it's better to just keep ignoring the problem and perhaps it will go away. Support Comprehensive Immigration Reform and support the Uniting American Families Act. ...
Gay Immigration Bill Gains Key Cosponsor (The Advocate)
Posted by
MikeLA 797 days ago
(http://www.advocate.com)
California Democratic representative Maxine Waters, a member of the House Judiciary Committee's subcommittee on immigration, has cosponsored legislation that would provide immigration rights to binational gay couples and their families.
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.
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.
Vigil at the Monument
Posted by
BrenDAL 797 days ago
(http://thenewgay.net)
This Sunday, Americans in same-sex binational partnerships will gather in the nation’s capital at the Washington Monument to protest a situation that few Americans are aware exists.
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
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
Why the 2010 Census matters to LGBT Americans
Posted by
BrenDAL 797 days ago
(http://www.gaypolitics.com)
You may know that the federal government plans to count everybody in America in this year, but the once-a-decade Census has changed to more accurately count LGBT families in 2010, and that’s a good thing.
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.
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.
March in DC and Tell Congress to PASS UAFA NOW
Posted by
uluckidog 797 days ago
(http://nclrights.wordpress.com)
On Sunday, March 21st, thousands will march in Washington for March for America, to call on Congress for comprehensive immigration reform. Please join NCLR and Immigration Equality and send a message that comprehensive reform must include LGBT families too!
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.
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.
From the Media Release:
Americans From Across the Nation Gather To Raise Awareness of Their Plight:
Unequal Treatment, Economic Hardship & Forced Exile
Contact: FB page, http://ctae.open-board.com/, twitter/zoeoka - let us know that you're coming!
Are you in a bi-national s/s couple but are stuck in exile or stuck in the U.S.? We are stand with you and with our own partners. Come on down.
If you can't make it then please twitter-follow 'zoeoka' and let's trend this event up through regular tweeting. If you're in a similar situation either in the U.S. or abroad, tell us about how the denial of LGBT immigration rights has affected you here on FB or Twitter.
On Sunday, March 21, 2010, Americans in same-sex binational partnerships will gather in the nation’s capital at the Washington Monument to protest a situation that few Americans are aware exists. They are Americans who
Americans From Across the Nation Gather To Raise Awareness of Their Plight:
Unequal Treatment, Economic Hardship & Forced Exile
Contact: FB page, http://ctae.open-board.com/, twitter/zoeoka - let us know that you're coming!
Are you in a bi-national s/s couple but are stuck in exile or stuck in the U.S.? We are stand with you and with our own partners. Come on down.
If you can't make it then please twitter-follow 'zoeoka' and let's trend this event up through regular tweeting. If you're in a similar situation either in the U.S. or abroad, tell us about how the denial of LGBT immigration rights has affected you here on FB or Twitter.
On Sunday, March 21, 2010, Americans in same-sex binational partnerships will gather in the nation’s capital at the Washington Monument to protest a situation that few Americans are aware exists. They are Americans who
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.
Equality Caucus not yet 100 Percent on Immigration Equality
Posted by
UnitedByLove 878 days ago
(http://www.actonprinciples.org)
There are six Congressional Hispanic Caucus Members who are also members of the Equality Caucus that have cosponsored both DOMA repeal and the Uniting American Families Act. Among those Congressional Hispanic Caucus Members, ..Over the weekend we learned that Congressman Gutierrez’s comprehensive immigration bill would not include LGBT families after much efforts from leading national LGBT organizations. The Roll Call article claims the pushback came from “Hispanic leaders more focused on keeping religious leaders on board with the plan.”
Now we are told we must wait until an amendment is made to the bill (remember when we were told to wait until the end of the year for ENDA?) when it comes before the Judiciary Committee in February of next year, a move supported by Equality Caucus Chair Rep. Polis (D-CO-2).
Now we are told we must wait until an amendment is made to the bill (remember when we were told to wait until the end of the year for ENDA?) when it comes before the Judiciary Committee in February of next year, a move supported by Equality Caucus Chair Rep. Polis (D-CO-2).
“How may I assist with these stories, if at all?...”
“My question back to you is how do we get immigration reform defined as a...”
“Watch the actual video on ABC 7's website, and you'll see that he's really...”
“Thanks. I shortened it through tinyurl. Works now....”
“Note from imeQ about this editorial: This is an independent project which...”
Feedburner
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.