Gutierrez is a staunch champion of both LGBT issues and immigrant families, and legislation under his stewardship that is LGBT-inclusive will be instrumental in ensuring that our families are not forgotten. In short, his bill can be instrumental in putting Congress on notice that lawmakers who care about LGBT immigrant families will not allow those families to remain vulnerable and excluded from immigration reform efforts. Families in his district, and around the country, are counting on his continued leadership to end the discriminatory immigration laws that force them apart.
Search results for binational
Do the right thing and keep binational families together
Posted by
USABound 930 days ago
(http://news.google.com)
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
Gay Man Testifies On Immigration Reform
Posted by
OurHero-Tan 941 days ago
(http://www.advocate.com)
A congressional briefing held Friday to discuss immigration reform included five witnesses, one of whom was a gay man testifying about the struggles faced by binational LGBT couples.
Steve Orner of Washington, D.C., said goodbye on Wednesday to his partner of nearly 10 years, “Joe Smith” -- who asked that we not use his real name -- when Smith left to return to his native Indonesia.
“I'm scared to go back,” Smith said by phone on the day of his departure. “This is my home; I have been living here for half of my life.”... For now, the two have determined that living separately is their only option since they would have to be closeted in Indonesia and Orner would not be employable there.
Steve Orner of Washington, D.C., said goodbye on Wednesday to his partner of nearly 10 years, “Joe Smith” -- who asked that we not use his real name -- when Smith left to return to his native Indonesia.
“I'm scared to go back,” Smith said by phone on the day of his departure. “This is my home; I have been living here for half of my life.”... For now, the two have determined that living separately is their only option since they would have to be closeted in Indonesia and Orner would not be employable there.
Gay immigrants
Posted by
freedom2immigrate 941 days ago
(http://www.houstonvoice.com)
Images from last week's National Equality March shared and posted on the Internet feature the energized and bright faces of the next generation of activists - the Proposition 8 generation. ...
We can help gay newcomers by welcoming them and by continuing our efforts to pass legislation that benefit us all. The Uniting American Families Act and the Respect for Marriage Act will allow binational couples and families to stay together in the United States. The repeal of "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell" will keep gay immigrant soldiers fighting for their adopted country and eventually allow them to be proud and loyal citizens. ...
We can help gay newcomers by welcoming them and by continuing our efforts to pass legislation that benefit us all. The Uniting American Families Act and the Respect for Marriage Act will allow binational couples and families to stay together in the United States. The repeal of "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell" will keep gay immigrant soldiers fighting for their adopted country and eventually allow them to be proud and loyal citizens. ...
The time is now, lest immigration be maligned further. A nation born of immigrants, whether Hispanic, Asian, African, gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, we are forgetting the forbearance shown our forefathers and forgoing the ... U.S. Representative Mike Honda, who represents California’s 15th Congressional district (including Silicon Valley) has long been a supporter of immigration reform. In today’s Roll Call (popular in-game newspaper on Capitol Hill), there is an opinion piece by Congressman Honda that refreshingly includes binational same-sex couples while giving examples of why the current immigration system must be reformed....
Another constituent, Judy Rickard, will permanently leave America this November in an effort to keep her family together. Under U.S. law, she cannot be reunited with her partner, Karin Bogliolo, a UK national. Judy would have preferred to
Another constituent, Judy Rickard, will permanently leave America this November in an effort to keep her family together. Under U.S. law, she cannot be reunited with her partner, Karin Bogliolo, a UK national. Judy would have preferred to
Front Door to Marriage Respect for Marriage Act
Posted by
BinatUK 970 days ago
(http://lezgetreal.com)
A Poll questioning priorities revealed that lack of Immigration Rights for binational couples is not a priority on the list of hardships. The latter refl;ecting the typical – “if it affects me then I will consider it attitude. ...
Binational and Bisexual Discrimination
Posted by
BinatUK 970 days ago
(http://glaadblog.org)
Some immigration officers now claim that my previous marriage was false and done only for green card purposes and so I continuously experience bi-phobia and live fear that my citizenship application may be denied due to my sexual ...
Dallas groups push for equality
Posted by
igualdad 986 days ago
(http://www.ebar.com)
Ahonen-Jover, 52, and Bare, 46, agreed that the first year of President Barack Obama's administration provides an opportunity for movement on LGBT-related legislation such as repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," reforming immigration policies to include binational couples, and access to health care without discrimination.
Same Sex Immigration Benefits is an Equality Issue
Posted by
UnitedByLove 992 days ago
(http://lezgetreal.com)
Of the 1,138 federal rights and benefits that the LGBT community is denied, the worst (I am biased having suffered this particular form of discrimination) is the one that denies us two fundamental prerequisites to our basic freedoms and happiness:
1. The right to fall in love and live with whomever we choose from wherever we choose;
without impacting -
2. Our right to remain in our homes and Country.
On the lips of every Binational I know and I am sure on the lips of those I do not know, is “How can my Country, the United States of America, in all its glory, allow this to happen to its own citizens?” Our country is in effect causing its citizens to go into exile when “in pursuit of happiness” in flagrant disregard of our own constitution and while we are preaching human rights to the rest of the World we are so grossly at fault within.
1. The right to fall in love and live with whomever we choose from wherever we choose;
without impacting -
2. Our right to remain in our homes and Country.
On the lips of every Binational I know and I am sure on the lips of those I do not know, is “How can my Country, the United States of America, in all its glory, allow this to happen to its own citizens?” Our country is in effect causing its citizens to go into exile when “in pursuit of happiness” in flagrant disregard of our own constitution and while we are preaching human rights to the rest of the World we are so grossly at fault within.
Speier questions pro gay immigration reform strategy
Posted by
BinatUK 992 days ago
(http://www.ebar.com)
Congresswoman Jackie Speier (D-San Mateo) doesn't believe including pro-gay reforms in a comprehensive immigration bill is the best strategy to win rights for binational LGBT couples. And with Congress bogged down on passing health care reform legislation, she also cautioned LGBT activists not to expect any action on the issue until 2010.
"By making the bill comprehensive it does muddy the waters," said the freshman House member, who predicted "nothing will happen this year on immigration."...
"By making the bill comprehensive it does muddy the waters," said the freshman House member, who predicted "nothing will happen this year on immigration."...
(SOS) Binational same gender couples need your help
Posted by
ATLdave 996 days ago
(http://lotusopening.blogspot.com)
The photo at the left is the person I LOVE, my #1, from the Republic of Belarus. We are a family unit.
But my country, the United States of America, forces me to either exile myself, end my relationship with him, or live in the United States without him. Why? Is this surprising to you? For 5 years we've lived apart - 5,000 miles away from each other. Will you please continue reading my message?
Love is the universal attractive force that knows no boundaries. Love goes beyond what we call sacred. I happen to believe that the force of Love alone is proof of the existence of a Creator. Because how could such a beautiful and perfect feeling just happen? Americans fall ...
But my country, the United States of America, forces me to either exile myself, end my relationship with him, or live in the United States without him. Why? Is this surprising to you? For 5 years we've lived apart - 5,000 miles away from each other. Will you please continue reading my message?
Love is the universal attractive force that knows no boundaries. Love goes beyond what we call sacred. I happen to believe that the force of Love alone is proof of the existence of a Creator. Because how could such a beautiful and perfect feeling just happen? Americans fall ...
Gay couples seek changes in immigration law in US
Posted by
USABound 1003 days ago
(http://www.twincities.com)
Traveling from a homeland that bans sex except for reproduction, Ray Sin expected fewer restrictions in the United States.But after the student from Singapore fell in love in Minneapolis, his impression that the United States was progressive was punctured. He learned that his partner, Phillip Knoll, could not sponsor him to live in the United States, as can a heterosexual wishing to sponsor a spouse from abroad.
"That's when I realized, 'Oh, no, we have so many obstacles,' " said Sin, 29. Now U.S. lawmakers are drafting immigration-reform bills that would include proposals to let gay people bring their partners to the United States permanently.
Sen. Al Franken is expected to co-sponsor such a proposal, his spokeswoman said. If adopted, the legislation would affect about 40,000 couples in the U.S., including 500 in Minnesota. Gay-rights advocates are courting Mi
"That's when I realized, 'Oh, no, we have so many obstacles,' " said Sin, 29. Now U.S. lawmakers are drafting immigration-reform bills that would include proposals to let gay people bring their partners to the United States permanently.
Sen. Al Franken is expected to co-sponsor such a proposal, his spokeswoman said. If adopted, the legislation would affect about 40,000 couples in the U.S., including 500 in Minnesota. Gay-rights advocates are courting Mi
For countless millions of people in America and around the globe, Lady Liberty and her torch light the way to freedom and equality. For gay and lesbian bi-national couples, the famed statue, with a cold and stern face, seems more like a heartless sentry guarding the nation’s borders and ripping lives apart.
Ryan Wilson, a Columbia resident and a sexual health coordinator at the University of South Carolina, first met his partner, Shehan Welihindha, at the 2008 National Lesbian and Gay Task Force Creating Change conference in Denver.
“We met in the very first session on the very first day,” Wilson told Q-Notes. “We ended up sitting at the same table because we were from the same region. Shehan was working at the University of Arkansas.”
They’ve been in a committed, mostly long-distance relationship ever since. Both Wilson, 25, and Welihindha, 27, ha
Ryan Wilson, a Columbia resident and a sexual health coordinator at the University of South Carolina, first met his partner, Shehan Welihindha, at the 2008 National Lesbian and Gay Task Force Creating Change conference in Denver.
“We met in the very first session on the very first day,” Wilson told Q-Notes. “We ended up sitting at the same table because we were from the same region. Shehan was working at the University of Arkansas.”
They’ve been in a committed, mostly long-distance relationship ever since. Both Wilson, 25, and Welihindha, 27, ha
Caught Between Love and Country Part II
Posted by
BinatUK 1007 days ago
(http://thenewgay.net)
In entering such an international relationship, Judy and Karin also joined the ranks of binational LGBT couples who have lived out the difficulties associated with an immigration system that treats gay and lesbian couples differently ...While Judy, Karin, Tom and Aidan have understandably been consumed with their own living situations and the difficult decisions they must make, they are also taking the time to get involved and educate Americans, gay and straight, about the plight of LGBT binational couples.
Earlier this year at a Human Rights Campaign dinner, U.S. Rep. Michael Honda, speaking with U.S. Rep. Jerrold Nadler, both supporters of same sex binational couples legislation, named Judy Rickard and Karin Bogliolo as his educators on this issue. They urge members of the American LGBT community to contact their legislators and, most importantly, spread the word.
Earlier this year at a Human Rights Campaign dinner, U.S. Rep. Michael Honda, speaking with U.S. Rep. Jerrold Nadler, both supporters of same sex binational couples legislation, named Judy Rickard and Karin Bogliolo as his educators on this issue. They urge members of the American LGBT community to contact their legislators and, most importantly, spread the word.
Today, together with Gina Capiro, I had the great honor of providing testimony on behalf of the thousands of binational same-sex partners, for Resolution AJR 15 which in essence will serve to provide California’s legislature’s support of the Uniting American Families Act and equality in the immigration laws of the US, for same-sex permanent partners.
A victory for our issue and at the same time a lesson in the divisiveness of ‘party-lines.’ It was astounding to witness; to tell the personal story of my family’s hardship with this inequality, about how I was faced with a possible choice between my two daughters, because I could not petition for my same-sex spouse to remain in the US in the same was a straight American could; and then to hear the Republican’s, “nay” regardless of the hardship
A victory for our issue and at the same time a lesson in the divisiveness of ‘party-lines.’ It was astounding to witness; to tell the personal story of my family’s hardship with this inequality, about how I was faced with a possible choice between my two daughters, because I could not petition for my same-sex spouse to remain in the US in the same was a straight American could; and then to hear the Republican’s, “nay” regardless of the hardship
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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.