We must change the law to end the gratuitous cruelty being imposed on Greg, Jaime and the thousands of other couples just like them around the country. We urge Congress to incorporate UAFA into the forthcoming comprehensive immigration reform. No immigration reform we enact can be truly comprehensive unless it also addresses this deprivation of the civil rights of bi-national families. There is no rational reason to continue this discriminatory treatment. It is long past time that Congress did something about it....
Search results for congress
Pass the Uniting American Families Act
Posted by
uluckidog 945 days ago
(http://thehill.com)
#NEM You can help One Hundred Thousand Americans in 5 minutes
Posted by
ATLdave 956 days ago
(http://www.dailykos.com)
There are 36,000 bi-national same-sex couples living in the US, nearly half of them with children.
Contrary to a popular misconceptions, state-level same sex marriage offers no avenue for citizens to petition for residency for their non-citizens same sex partners. It is the jusidiction of Federal Government that doesn't, and likely won't anytime soon, recognize same sex relationships.
A remedy may be in the works, but the GLBT community and supporters must seize this moment to tell congress people now is the time to respect our families.
There is an expedited form to send to your local rep urging them to include GLBT immigration equality into the reform package. It took me 3 minutes to fill out, please do so here. You can send their form letter, or (better) customize your own.
Follow under
Contrary to a popular misconceptions, state-level same sex marriage offers no avenue for citizens to petition for residency for their non-citizens same sex partners. It is the jusidiction of Federal Government that doesn't, and likely won't anytime soon, recognize same sex relationships.
A remedy may be in the works, but the GLBT community and supporters must seize this moment to tell congress people now is the time to respect our families.
There is an expedited form to send to your local rep urging them to include GLBT immigration equality into the reform package. It took me 3 minutes to fill out, please do so here. You can send their form letter, or (better) customize your own.
Follow under
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
No hope repealing DOMA through Congress
Posted by
OurHero-Tan 962 days ago
(http://gayimmigration.blogspot.com)
Let me get this straight. When President Obama was put on the spot after DOJ released the disastrous DOMA brief, he reiterated his support for DOMA repeal but said Congress has to act on it. When Congress answered his call and introduced a DOMA Repeal bill, his associates then called it hopeless. Now they say our only hope is the Supreme Court, which of course is a convenient thing for the White House since the social conservatives can't blame him if DOMA is repealed through the Court.
Legislation Introduced to Congress to Repeal DOMA
Posted by
DividedByLaw 970 days ago
(http://emptyclosets.com)
“The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is a hurtful and cynical law enacted to discriminate against loving, committed same-sex couples,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese, who also offered remarks at the introduction press conference. “It does real harm by denying thousands of lawfully-married same-sex couples the federal rights and benefits that only flow through marriage. Many of these include the protections couples turn to in times of need, like Social Security survivors’ benefits, medical leave to care for an ailing spouse and equal treatment under U.S. immigration laws. Today’s introduction of legislation to repeal DOMA is a welcome step, and as more states recognize the commitment of loving same-sex couples and their families, it's time for this law to go into the history books where it belongs.”
Already in Congress is the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) and the Reuniting Families Act, which seek to put a stop to the discrimination and permit same-sex partners to obtain permanent resident status by amending the Immigration ...
Rep. Earl Blumenauer, who wrote an article on the Huffington Post explaining his vote for DOMA in 1996 and his current support of the RMA, tells the AP that he thinks there's a 50% chance for this congress to repeal either DADT or DOMA.
Jeana Frazzini, the executive director of Basic Rights Oregon, said Blumenauer's 50-percent prediction might not be that far off.
"It's just a very different climate than it was 10 years ago, so I think it's completely do-able for this congress to repeal 'don't ask don't tell' or the Defense of Marriage Act," Frazzini said....
Jeana Frazzini, the executive director of Basic Rights Oregon, said Blumenauer's 50-percent prediction might not be that far off.
"It's just a very different climate than it was 10 years ago, so I think it's completely do-able for this congress to repeal 'don't ask don't tell' or the Defense of Marriage Act," Frazzini said....
Are You Happy (March on Washington)
Posted by
ExileComingHome 970 days ago
(http://www.windycitymediagroup.com)
Many things have been written on whether one should march or not march Oct. 11 in Washington, D.C. Let me make it easy for you.
Are you really happy with the progress we have made over the last eight months with this Administration and Congress? Are you really happy with the progress we have made on the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and Defense of Marriage Act ( DOMA ) ? Do you think that the leaders of our political parties have embraced marriage equality and our God given rights, benefits and protections that come with it? Are you content, relaxed and happy with where we are at this moment in history in the struggle for freedom?
Are you really happy with the progress we have made over the last eight months with this Administration and Congress? Are you really happy with the progress we have made on the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and Defense of Marriage Act ( DOMA ) ? Do you think that the leaders of our political parties have embraced marriage equality and our God given rights, benefits and protections that come with it? Are you content, relaxed and happy with where we are at this moment in history in the struggle for freedom?
Repeal DOMA Now Campaign
Posted by
DividedByLaw 983 days ago
(http://sdcsn.blogspot.com)
Good news on the DOMA front. Human Rights Campaign looks to be getting serious about repealing DOMA. They're now starting a campaign to make it happen. 50,000 of you took our survey on how the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) harms families. And with Congress back in session this week, we personally delivered your responses – and thousands of heartfelt comments – to help build the case for repealing this discriminatory law. Now is the time to really put the pressure on and tell Congress it’s time to Repeal DOMA Now (which is coincidentally the name of our new campaign).
In the past year, tens of thousands of loving same-sex couples have legally been married in Massachusetts, California, Connecticut, Iowa and Vermont. And with new laws soon to take effect in New Hampshire and Maine, thousands more will surely join them. Enacted in 1996, the Defense of Marriage Act purports to
In the past year, tens of thousands of loving same-sex couples have legally been married in Massachusetts, California, Connecticut, Iowa and Vermont. And with new laws soon to take effect in New Hampshire and Maine, thousands more will surely join them. Enacted in 1996, the Defense of Marriage Act purports to
United by Love divided by Law Week 12
Posted by
UnitedByLove 983 days ago
(http://fairunion.blogspot.com)
This is the 12th week of a coordinated ‘Call Congress’
grassroots effort. In addition to coordinated e-mails,
faxes, and letters to the members we are focusing on, getting
a large number of people to call specific members on the
same day could help bring us more co-sponsors.
It is also a way for us to ‘circle back’ to those members we
had focused on that still have not signed on, to remind them how
important this is to us and that we’re not going away.
Note - ALL FIVE of the Representatives listed below were
past co-sponsors of UAFA, but still have yet to sign on.
grassroots effort. In addition to coordinated e-mails,
faxes, and letters to the members we are focusing on, getting
a large number of people to call specific members on the
same day could help bring us more co-sponsors.
It is also a way for us to ‘circle back’ to those members we
had focused on that still have not signed on, to remind them how
important this is to us and that we’re not going away.
Note - ALL FIVE of the Representatives listed below were
past co-sponsors of UAFA, but still have yet to sign on.
Politico's Glenn Thrush echoes Frank's conclusion that the DOMA Repeal bill has no hope of passing in this Congress:
Even if Nadler's bill passes the House, it is likely to have a tough time in the Senate, despite the apparent support of Judiciary Committee Chairman Pat Leahy (D-Vt.) who says DOMA needs to go....
Even if Nadler's bill passes the House, it is likely to have a tough time in the Senate, despite the apparent support of Judiciary Committee Chairman Pat Leahy (D-Vt.) who says DOMA needs to go....
“Now is the time to let Congress and President Obama know that DOMA must go. The introduction of a bill to repeal DOMA with this unprecedented momentum behind it will mark a tidal shift in this fight,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “This hurtful and discriminatory law denies millions of Americans federal recognition of marriage and the critical rights and benefits that come with it – Social Security survivors’ benefits, equal treatment under U.S. immigration laws, the right to take leave to care for a spouse, and more. It is more important than ever to push for repeal of DOMA.”
Sacramento – Today the State Assembly passed a resolution officially endorsing a federal law ending discriminatory immigration policies by permitting U.S. citizens and permanent residents to obtain lawful immigration status for a same-sex partner by a 41-28 vote. The resolution, AJR 15, introduced by Assembly Member Kevin de León (D-Los Angeles) and co-sponsored by Equality California (EQCA) and Asian Americans for Civil Rights and Equality (AACRE), formally requests that the United States Congress pass and President Barack Obama sign the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA).
“Our current immigration laws keep thousands of families apart simply because they are headed by same-sex couples,” said EQCA Executive Director Geoff Kors. “We urge Congress and the President to stop penalizing these families and to pass the Uniting American Families Act so that all families enjoy equ
“Our current immigration laws keep thousands of families apart simply because they are headed by same-sex couples,” said EQCA Executive Director Geoff Kors. “We urge Congress and the President to stop penalizing these families and to pass the Uniting American Families Act so that all families enjoy equ
DOMA Repeal Bill to be introduced next week
Posted by
OurHero-Tan 986 days ago
(http://gayimmigration.blogspot.com)
At a busy legislative moment, foes of the Defense of Marriage Act are re-starting the campaign against it. Rep. Jerry Nadler is, I'm told, expected to introduce a bill that would repeal the legislation next week, and today Human Rights Campaign is delivering a survey of 50,000 gay and lesbian members and supporters to Congress, intended to convey the concrete harm the bill does them.
The survey results stress the mundane benefits of marriage -- first among them, Social Security survivor benefits. HRC also officially launched their DOMA Repeal push by delivering the surveys results of 50,000 LGBT people on DOMA to Congress. In their announcement, they also confirmed timing of the DOMA Repeal bill, to be introduced by Nadler.
The survey results stress the mundane benefits of marriage -- first among them, Social Security survivor benefits. HRC also officially launched their DOMA Repeal push by delivering the surveys results of 50,000 LGBT people on DOMA to Congress. In their announcement, they also confirmed timing of the DOMA Repeal bill, to be introduced by Nadler.
National Equality March on Washington
Posted by
SFbeat 986 days ago
(http://www.davidmixner.com)
Are you really happy with the progress we have made over the last eight months with this Administration and Congress? Are you really happy with the progress we have made on the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)? Do you think that the leaders of our political parties have embraced marriage equality and our God given rights, benefits and protections that come with it? Are you content, relaxed and happy with where we are at this moment in history in the struggle for freedom?
Are you willing to give up your social security rights, your immigration rights, your hospital visitation rights, your taxation rights, etc for one more year to make someone's political path more comfortable?
Think very carefully about the above questions. Then make plans to come to Washington, DC on October 11th to march with thousands of your brothers, sist
Are you willing to give up your social security rights, your immigration rights, your hospital visitation rights, your taxation rights, etc for one more year to make someone's political path more comfortable?
Think very carefully about the above questions. Then make plans to come to Washington, DC on October 11th to march with thousands of your brothers, sist
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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.