It was just several months ago that White House officials were promising that President Obama would address immigration reform before the end of the year. It seems as if the LGBT immigration equality leadership has continued to hang its top hat on the passage of Comprehensive Immigration Reform, as being the only way the LGBT community can earn recognition in the immigration system, through the incorporation of the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) in the larger reform legislation.
When UAFA was introduced again this year in January by New York Congressman Jerrold Nadler, it was hailed by the organizations and money was raised from our community in the name of this proposed stand-alone legislation. We were all excited and on board for the big push.
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Babs Siperstein Is Officially Committee Member of DNC
Posted by
UnitedByLove 986 days ago
(http://www.pamshouseblend.com)
I think the broader LGBT community forgets about looking for commonalities sometimes. Think for a moment about immigration reform; there is a whole community of immigration advocates that the LGBT community could work with to help to make same-sex/same gender partner sponsorship possible. If members in the LGBT community care about the progressive immigration reform issues, and work with the organizations that promote immigration reform, we could use our commonalities to build a stronger, more powerful coalition. The LGBT community's partner sponsor issue could become part of a broader immigration reform bill; and in the process of LGBT people working for immigration reform, our broader LGBT community issues could become immigration advocates' issues.I'm happy to support the Uniting American Families act - the law that specifically relates to LGBT families. I won't go any past that unle
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
Gay rights groups praise state resolutions (The Desert Sun)
Posted by
USAFrance 986 days ago
(http://www.mydesert.com)
The Assembly Judiciary Committee passed three resolutions this week that gay rights group consider critical for federal laws affecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
The committee passed resolutions on the U.S. Blood Donor Nondiscrimination Resolution, which would lift the ban against gay men donating blood; urged the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act, which forbids federal recognition of same-sex couples; and supported of the Uniting American Families Act.
The committee passed resolutions on the U.S. Blood Donor Nondiscrimination Resolution, which would lift the ban against gay men donating blood; urged the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act, which forbids federal recognition of same-sex couples; and supported of the Uniting American Families Act.
Earlier this week, Democratic Rep. Jackie Speier (CA-12) , a co-sponsor of the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) which would allow gays and lesbians to sponsor their foreign-born partners for citizenship, expressed her concerns about passing the bill as a part of larger immigration reform.
...
Speier’s view seems to have changed since a town hall earlier this year, where she indicated “the only way that bill is going to get passed is if its part of a larger immigration reform measure.” In addition to the standalone act, UAFA compatible language also exists in the omnibus immigration reform bill called Reuniting Families Act, sponsored by Congressman Mike Honda (CA-15).
In her short 16 months in Congress, Speier has proven herself to be a strong ally and advocate for the LGBT community, and was instrumental in staying the deportation of a lesbian mother this past sp
...
Speier’s view seems to have changed since a town hall earlier this year, where she indicated “the only way that bill is going to get passed is if its part of a larger immigration reform measure.” In addition to the standalone act, UAFA compatible language also exists in the omnibus immigration reform bill called Reuniting Families Act, sponsored by Congressman Mike Honda (CA-15).
In her short 16 months in Congress, Speier has proven herself to be a strong ally and advocate for the LGBT community, and was instrumental in staying the deportation of a lesbian mother this past sp
Multipronged Approach to UAFA Strategy
Posted by
Fight4theRight 996 days ago
(http://www.unitingamericanfamilies.net)
So what I am trying to say here is… UAFA is not going to be a bill tagged on to the Comprehensive Immigration Reform bill, like the repeal of the HIV Ban was tagged on to PEPFAR last year. If this is the case, they could easily remove the bill during conference once CIR is passed. UAFA is ALREADY included in RFA… so if they want to remove UAFA from CIR during conference or during floor vote/debate, they would have to remove RFA entirely.
Pushing for the passage of UAFA is ongoing and will never stop, but it is also important to note that immigration law is discriminatory on so many levels and we need to stand up and support CIR. The majority of the immigrant community has stood up in support of our issue and supports the inclusion of UAFA in CIR… Our representative, Rep. Honda, and many progressive organizations have the political will to stand out and advocate for our i
Pushing for the passage of UAFA is ongoing and will never stop, but it is also important to note that immigration law is discriminatory on so many levels and we need to stand up and support CIR. The majority of the immigrant community has stood up in support of our issue and supports the inclusion of UAFA in CIR… Our representative, Rep. Honda, and many progressive organizations have the political will to stand out and advocate for our i
NCLR Supports AJR 15 and the Uniting American Families Act
Posted by
Fight4theRight 1000 days ago
(http://nclrights.wordpress.com)
The National Center for Lesbian Rights is pleased to support Resolution AJR 15, which would put California on record in support of the federal Uniting American Families Act (UAFA).
UAFA is a proposed bill that would remove the legal barriers to immigration by permanent same-sex partners. It would provide same-sex couples with the same immigration benefits as opposite-sex couples.
Read NCLR’s letter of support...
UAFA is a proposed bill that would remove the legal barriers to immigration by permanent same-sex partners. It would provide same-sex couples with the same immigration benefits as opposite-sex couples.
Read NCLR’s letter of support...
Comprehensive Immigration Reform (The Petition Site)
Posted by
BinationalHope 1003 days ago
(http://www.thepetitionsite.com)
Senator Schumer is writing the comprehensive immigration reform bill NOW.
It is critical that this legislation includes the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) and thus includes LGBT families. The suffering of our families must end! The UAFA will allow American Citizens and green card holders to sponsor their foreign born same-sex partner for permanent residency in the United States.
If you are in New York - be sure to include your address so they know a constituent is weighing in on this - AND send it to any family or friends in NY that would be willing to help.
It is critical that this legislation includes the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) and thus includes LGBT families. The suffering of our families must end! The UAFA will allow American Citizens and green card holders to sponsor their foreign born same-sex partner for permanent residency in the United States.
If you are in New York - be sure to include your address so they know a constituent is weighing in on this - AND send it to any family or friends in NY that would be willing to help.
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)....
On August 18th, 2009, I appeared before the California Assembly’s Judiciary Committee with Ms Gina Caprio, Melanie Nathan, Equality California (EQCA)& Asian American for Civil Rights and Equality (AACRE) to present testimony in support of Assembly Joint Resolution 15 (AJR15). This resolution was introduced by Assemblyman De Leon in support of Uniting American Families Act which if passed in congress will allow an American citizen to sponsor his/her same sex partner for a green card by adding 3 more words, “or permanent partner” after spouse in immigration law.
The resolution passed the committee on a party line vote of 6 – 3 and it is now headed to the floor of California’s Assembly for a vote. If the resolution passed, it would put the state of California on record as supporting UAFA as well as its inclusion in the Reuniting Families Act (RFA) as introduced by Rep Mike Hon
The resolution passed the committee on a party line vote of 6 – 3 and it is now headed to the floor of California’s Assembly for a vote. If the resolution passed, it would put the state of California on record as supporting UAFA as well as its inclusion in the Reuniting Families Act (RFA) as introduced by Rep Mike Hon
Press Release from National Equality March Supporting UAFA
Posted by
UnitedByLove 1009 days ago
(http://pflaglaurelms.wordpress.com)
NAACP BOARD CHAIRMAN LEADS GROUP OF RECENT, HIGH-PROFILE ENDORSEMENTS FOR THE NATIONAL EQUALITY MARCH Diverse Ranks Continue to Deepen as “Equality Across America” Expands Los Angeles, CA, August 18 – Broad-based support for the National Equality March (NEM) has been growing exponentially across the country over the past few weeks, according to its organizer Equality Across America (EAA). Thousands of Americans are hearing the drumbeat for LGBT equality and plan to follow it to the nation’s capital this October. Thousands of individuals representing dozens of organizations from across the country have gone to the organization’s website to sign up.
US Representative, Danny K. Davis, of Chicago, Illinois; Michael Letwin, Co-Convener, New York City Labor Against the War (NYCLAW); and NAACP Board Chairman, Julian Bond, have all recently voiced their support for the NEM. “GLBT r
US Representative, Danny K. Davis, of Chicago, Illinois; Michael Letwin, Co-Convener, New York City Labor Against the War (NYCLAW); and NAACP Board Chairman, Julian Bond, have all recently voiced their support for the NEM. “GLBT r
Sacramento – Today, the Assembly Judiciary Committee passed three resolutions with a 6-3 vote of the committee on critical federal laws affecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people including a resolution in support of the Uniting American Families Act (AJR 15).
"It is important for California, the state with the largest LGBT population, to urge the federal government to repeal discriminatory federal policies that ultimately hurt all people in the United States," said EQCA Executive Director Geoff Kors. "We have more potential now than ever before to make a positive impact at the federal level, and we call on Congress and the President to seize this historic opportunity."
The measure formally requests that the United States Congress pass and President Barack Obama sign the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA). "Thousands of American families a
"It is important for California, the state with the largest LGBT population, to urge the federal government to repeal discriminatory federal policies that ultimately hurt all people in the United States," said EQCA Executive Director Geoff Kors. "We have more potential now than ever before to make a positive impact at the federal level, and we call on Congress and the President to seize this historic opportunity."
The measure formally requests that the United States Congress pass and President Barack Obama sign the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA). "Thousands of American families a
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
United by Love divided by Law
Posted by
Fight4theRight 1011 days ago
(http://fairunion.blogspot.com)
Every week, a coordinated grassroots effort takes place to contact specific
members of Congress to urge them to co-sponsor the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA).
Please take part in these efforts to help pass UAFA!
We write to 5 members of Congress and their staffers each week. We are encouraged in knowing that
several of the members of Congress we have contacted signed on as co-sponsors soon after we wrote to them.
This week we will be contacting:
members of Congress to urge them to co-sponsor the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA).
Please take part in these efforts to help pass UAFA!
We write to 5 members of Congress and their staffers each week. We are encouraged in knowing that
several of the members of Congress we have contacted signed on as co-sponsors soon after we wrote to them.
This week we will be contacting:
California Assembly To Hear Testimony On Resolution Supporting UAFA
Posted by
BinatUK 1011 days ago
(http://lezgetreal.com)
The California Assembly Judiciary Committee will be hearing testimony on AJR 15, a California resolution to support the federal Uniting American Families Act (UAFA).
How can we obtain private bills for all the LGBT binational couples? The only recourse is UAFA and that is why Tuesday’s assembly resolution hearing is so significant. It would be California’s way of saying – …”you have to give all Americans the same rights regardless of relationship orientation. ” It would also hopefully send a message to Senator Feinstein who has not yet signed on as a co-sponsor of UAFA; and hopefully those who are signed on and all advocates will stop hanging their hats on the yet to be seen, maybe to happen, mega issue of comprehensive immigration reform. We must push NOW for UAFA. So much talent has been lost to our State because so many of our Californians have had to leave home to be wi
How can we obtain private bills for all the LGBT binational couples? The only recourse is UAFA and that is why Tuesday’s assembly resolution hearing is so significant. It would be California’s way of saying – …”you have to give all Americans the same rights regardless of relationship orientation. ” It would also hopefully send a message to Senator Feinstein who has not yet signed on as a co-sponsor of UAFA; and hopefully those who are signed on and all advocates will stop hanging their hats on the yet to be seen, maybe to happen, mega issue of comprehensive immigration reform. We must push NOW for UAFA. So much talent has been lost to our State because so many of our Californians have had to leave home to be wi
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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.