The author presents calculations to support the position that the total number of same-sex binational couples with one U.S. citizen partner is far greater than the ubiquitously quoted "36,000."
The article explains the origin and the flaws of the 36,000 number and proposed that when we advocate for UAFA, we should stop using the outdated figure and use instead a range of 50,000 - 100,000.
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Two days after signing the historic Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act--the first federal law to extend protections to GLBT Americans--President Barack Obama addressed two other issues seen by gay Americans as crucial to the cause of equality.
The president signed into law legislation that re-authorizes the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act. The law provides funds for another four years to programs that provide medicine and care for needy people living with HIV/AIDS. An estimated 500,000 individuals rely on the program to maintain their treatment regimens...
The president signed into law legislation that re-authorizes the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act. The law provides funds for another four years to programs that provide medicine and care for needy people living with HIV/AIDS. An estimated 500,000 individuals rely on the program to maintain their treatment regimens...
Welcome sign from US ending misguided HIV policy
Posted by
USABound 930 days ago
(http://www.chron.com)
The United States has long been a resolute, generous leader in the international struggle to eliminate AIDS, but for the past 22 years it has also been one of a handful of countries to refuse entry to HIV-positive visitors, both tourists and those seeking to become legal residents.
But last week, as he prepared to sign a bill reauthorizing funds for HIV/AIDS programs, President Barack Obama announced an end to the ban, calling it a policy “rooted in fear rather than fact.”
It was a sound and welcome decision, eliminating a discriminatory roadblock that has been in place far too long without any scientific justification.
In 1987, in an atmosphere of fear and confusion over its nature and transmission, the Department of Health and Human Services added HIV/AIDS to the list of communicable diseases that could deny people entry.
But last week, as he prepared to sign a bill reauthorizing funds for HIV/AIDS programs, President Barack Obama announced an end to the ban, calling it a policy “rooted in fear rather than fact.”
It was a sound and welcome decision, eliminating a discriminatory roadblock that has been in place far too long without any scientific justification.
In 1987, in an atmosphere of fear and confusion over its nature and transmission, the Department of Health and Human Services added HIV/AIDS to the list of communicable diseases that could deny people entry.
With the nation's attention still focused on health care, it may seem like comprehensive immigration reform has been swept under the rug. Don't worry--it may be quiet right now, but CIR is not dead. This past week members of Congress have shown us that immigration reform legislation is still on the agenda.
The legal center report said repealing DOMA is “an obvious and necessary step to ending federal discrimination against gay and lesbian couples.”
Entitled “A Devastating Wait: Family Unity and the Immigration Backlogs,” the report includes a long laundry list of recommendations for immigration legislation, including reclassifying spouses and minor children of legal permanent residents as immediate relatives, exempting Filipino World War II veterans from annual quotas and placing a permanent three-year cap on wait times for family-sponsored visas – which woul
The legal center report said repealing DOMA is “an obvious and necessary step to ending federal discrimination against gay and lesbian couples.”
Entitled “A Devastating Wait: Family Unity and the Immigration Backlogs,” the report includes a long laundry list of recommendations for immigration legislation, including reclassifying spouses and minor children of legal permanent residents as immediate relatives, exempting Filipino World War II veterans from annual quotas and placing a permanent three-year cap on wait times for family-sponsored visas – which woul
When we hear this tried crap about Obama being too busy for gay rights, and how he's got bigger things to deal with, it helps, but remains unfortunate, that we have stories like Genesio "Junior" Oliveira and Joe Smith (a fake name) — two men forced to leave the United States because this nation endorses discrimination.
Wasn't assistant attorney general Tom Perez — Obama's "civil rights czar" — just saying how he was going to stick up for queers? Yes, he was: "We must fight for fairness and basic equality for our LGBT brothers and sisters who so frequently are being left in the shadows [and to] ensure that there's a level playing field in which our LGBT brothers and sisters are judged by the content of their character."
So how come it's Perez's own Justice Department that just let expire an asylum claim from Oliveira, who was raped in his native Brazil and fled
Wasn't assistant attorney general Tom Perez — Obama's "civil rights czar" — just saying how he was going to stick up for queers? Yes, he was: "We must fight for fairness and basic equality for our LGBT brothers and sisters who so frequently are being left in the shadows [and to] ensure that there's a level playing field in which our LGBT brothers and sisters are judged by the content of their character."
So how come it's Perez's own Justice Department that just let expire an asylum claim from Oliveira, who was raped in his native Brazil and fled
Senator Kerry Supports NEW DOMA Lawsuit
Posted by
freedom2immigrate 930 days ago
(http://www.ontopmag.com)
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.
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.
The Gay Primer and An alphabet soup of gay political acronyms
Posted by
freedom2immigrate 930 days ago
(http://www.examiner.com)
Despite the host of issues confronting the globe, the gay community continues to be at the front and center of the political debate in the United States. The big Es: education, equality, energy, employment, the economy and the environment. I personally think the country needs to recognize that homosexuality is a perfectly normal behavior that manifests in a certain percentage of the population. Rather than discriminating against a large group of people based on perceived difference, we need to work together to address important issues that we have in common.
For society to benefit fully from the contributions of gay citizens, there are a host of inequalities that need to be rectified. It is not radical activism so much as shoving back against a society that would lock us in a closet and forget we are there.
There are five core issues of political importance making the round
For society to benefit fully from the contributions of gay citizens, there are a host of inequalities that need to be rectified. It is not radical activism so much as shoving back against a society that would lock us in a closet and forget we are there.
There are five core issues of political importance making the round
Helping Same Sex Partners Enter The United States Legally
Posted by
BinatUK 930 days ago
(http://blog.ctnews.com)
Under current United States immigration law, same-sex partners, even those married in states that perform same-sex marriages, do not qualify as “spouses” for immigration purposes. Consequently, while a U.S. citizen in a heterosexual marriage can petition for a green card for his or her spouse, this option is not available for same-sex couples. In the fifteen years that I’ve practiced immigration law, I have had the privilege of helping a number of foreign nationals join their same-sex partners legally in the United States. In the absence of legislative reform, the following are methods that, with the assistance of an immigration lawyer, may be successfully employed to reunite bi-national same-sex couples.
Foreign nationals wishing to enter the country for up to six months to visit a domestic partner may apply for a travel visa at the United States consulate in their home co
Foreign nationals wishing to enter the country for up to six months to visit a domestic partner may apply for a travel visa at the United States consulate in their home co
Why more binational couples are coming to Canada
Posted by
BinationalHope 930 days ago
(http://www.xtra.ca)
I walked with purpose, my boots hitting the floor in a tempo that echoed my urgency. My mouth was dry and anxiety had sunk into the creases on my face. My family walked behind me, no one daring to talk in case my composure collapsed. I knew where to go and what to do. In my hand — now sweaty — I gripped an unassuming brown envelope that carried my family’s future in it. Our Canadian immigration papers.
It was just after midnight in early March 2007. We were walking down a wide hallway from the plane into Toronto’s Pearson International Airport, towards a glass window with signs directing new immigrants inside. We entered the room and went to the last counter that was open, handed our papers over to a small woman who, in a matter of fact way, stamped our papers, took our photographs and confirmed our permanent resident status before shuffling us toward customs. Like it was..
It was just after midnight in early March 2007. We were walking down a wide hallway from the plane into Toronto’s Pearson International Airport, towards a glass window with signs directing new immigrants inside. We entered the room and went to the last counter that was open, handed our papers over to a small woman who, in a matter of fact way, stamped our papers, took our photographs and confirmed our permanent resident status before shuffling us toward customs. Like it was..
This Wallet is Now Closed (Preparing Our Exile)
Posted by
UnitedByLove 930 days ago
(http://preparingourexile.blogspot.com)
I watched helplessly on Tuesday night as yet another vote was held on whether or not I deserve equal rights in this country. I watched my countrymen once again say that I am not quite human enough to deserve the same respect, dignity and rights that they enjoy.
I watched President Obama, the self-described "fierce advocate" for gay rights, very very carefully word a statement that was at best lukewarm in his support for those on the side of equality in Maine. I spoke face to face with my Congressman who looked helpless to me while he explained it would be difficult to pass the Uniting American Families Act. I still have the letter he sent me when I wrote him to ask him to co-sponsor that bill. He claimed to support it, but refused to co-sponsor.
o more will I sit back and accept your promises, your urgings to wait for equality. I'm sick of it. Stand up and get
I watched President Obama, the self-described "fierce advocate" for gay rights, very very carefully word a statement that was at best lukewarm in his support for those on the side of equality in Maine. I spoke face to face with my Congressman who looked helpless to me while he explained it would be difficult to pass the Uniting American Families Act. I still have the letter he sent me when I wrote him to ask him to co-sponsor that bill. He claimed to support it, but refused to co-sponsor.
o more will I sit back and accept your promises, your urgings to wait for equality. I'm sick of it. Stand up and get
Opinions on issues regarding the LGBT community: Marriage Equality, Don't Ask Don't Tell DADT, Defense Of Marriage Act DOMA, Respect For Marriage Act, and LGBT Immigration issues and the Uniting American Families Act UAFA ...
How can we have any dignity, honor or pride in ourselves if we validate this continued process of ballot box terrorism? How can we stand tall next to each other if we explain away another's cowardliness? How can we allow people to dehumanize our relationships and our very integrity if we give people passes to sit out the battle for our very freedom? No longer are political timelines a reason for delay, no longer are incremental approaches acceptable and no longer can the political process expect us to be patient and wait our turn. Our turn came long ago and there will be no more waiting....
How can we have any dignity, honor or pride in ourselves if we validate this continued process of ballot box terrorism? How can we stand tall next to each other if we explain away another's cowardliness? How can we allow people to dehumanize our relationships and our very integrity if we give people passes to sit out the battle for our very freedom? No longer are political timelines a reason for delay, no longer are incremental approaches acceptable and no longer can the political process expect us to be patient and wait our turn. Our turn came long ago and there will be no more waiting....
Massachusetts man says Brazilian husband denied US asylum
Posted by
OneVoice 930 days ago
(http://www.bradenton.com)
A gay Brazilian man has been denied asylum by the Obama administration and won't be reunited with his Massachusetts husband in the U.S., the husband said Monday.
Tim Coco said Attorney General Eric Holder did not act on a Friday deadline in the case of Genesio "Junior" Oliveira, effectively denying the 30-year-old Brazilian man's request for asylum in the U.S. on humanitarian grounds.
"We needed the Attorney General to make a decision on whether Junior could come home," said Coco, 48, of Haverhill. "He didn't take this request seriously."
Tim Coco said Attorney General Eric Holder did not act on a Friday deadline in the case of Genesio "Junior" Oliveira, effectively denying the 30-year-old Brazilian man's request for asylum in the U.S. on humanitarian grounds.
"We needed the Attorney General to make a decision on whether Junior could come home," said Coco, 48, of Haverhill. "He didn't take this request seriously."
The Day After (Gay Immigration Rights)
Posted by
OurHero-Tan 930 days ago
(http://gayimmigration.blogspot.com)
A year later, another Election Day, another heartbreak. But this time I have no illusion about President Obama being the Savior of gay people. As many times as he has repeated the promises he made before the Election, he has done next to nothing for us. The fact that Organizing for America, his former campaign arm, sent out a message before Election Day to urge Mainers to support the governor race in New Jersey, while failing to mention the fight in Maine that's on everyone's mind, speaks volume about the President's avoidance on gay issues.
I am gay can I stay
Posted by
OneVoice 930 days ago
(http://www.punemirror.in)
More and more immigrants to the United States are seeking asylum on the basis of their sexual orientation. Gay activists have reported a rise in such cases, specially from Middle East, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean...
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
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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.