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
Search results for rights
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.
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.
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
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."...
The Next Kennedy When it Comes to LGBT Rights
Posted by
SFbeat 996 days ago
(http://gayrights.change.org)
Senator Ted Kennedy was the type of straight guy most every LGBT person could like. He was ahead of his time by championing LGBT rights for decades, fighting to pass inclusive hate crimes legislation, and an employment non-discrimination act that covered sexual orientation and gender identity. He was one of only 14 Senators to vote against the Defense of Marriage Act. And contrary to what many politicians were thinking when Massachusetts became the first state to enact marriage equality, Sen. Kennedy celebrated that moment for its importance in civil rights history.
With Sen. Kennedy's passing, a giant hole is now left in the...on record with a forceful statement supporting marriage equality. "[Marriage equality] is ... that would completely expand immigration rights...
With Sen. Kennedy's passing, a giant hole is now left in the...on record with a forceful statement supporting marriage equality. "[Marriage equality] is ... that would completely expand immigration rights...
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...
HRC Should We Give Them a Second Chance
Posted by
OurHero-Tan 1000 days ago
(http://gayimmigration.blogspot.com)
Apparently, HRC's "No Excuses" campaign was met with considerable skepticism from the LGBT community. Not only did they fail to raise a mere $200K for the campaign, they couldn't even find enough people to fill out their DOMA survey.
When words came out that HRC secretly asked Congress to NOT prioritize some of the more controversial gay rights issues such as DADT, there was a huge backlash against them with many elite members withdrawing their support. Hence the birth of the "No Excuses" campaign attempt to reverse HRC's image of inaction.
I belong to the camp that's willing to support this initiative with a healthy dose of skepticism. Yes, I .... It's a good thing that HRC is changing direction under pressure, and ...
When words came out that HRC secretly asked Congress to NOT prioritize some of the more controversial gay rights issues such as DADT, there was a huge backlash against them with many elite members withdrawing their support. Hence the birth of the "No Excuses" campaign attempt to reverse HRC's image of inaction.
I belong to the camp that's willing to support this initiative with a healthy dose of skepticism. Yes, I .... It's a good thing that HRC is changing direction under pressure, and ...
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
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.
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
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
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
Asian groups trying to push immigration reform to top of agenda
Posted by
BinatUK 1009 days ago
(http://www.sgvtribune.com)
They have also turned up the heat on the already highly controversial immigration debate by including rights for same-sex couples in their desired reforms.
About 36,000 same-sex binational couples live in the United States, and those in which one of the partners is legal but the other is not are not allowed to apply for residency the way heterosexual couples can.
Because the Asian Pacific Islanders' call for immigration reform is largely based on family reunification, same-sex immigration reform is a natural fit, Sadhwani said.
Family reunification is the primary reason Asians and Pacific Islanders come to the United States. And though a path to citizenship exists for most family members of U.S. citizens and green card holders, many wait for years in their home countries to get a visa, according to the APALC.
About 36,000 same-sex binational couples live in the United States, and those in which one of the partners is legal but the other is not are not allowed to apply for residency the way heterosexual couples can.
Because the Asian Pacific Islanders' call for immigration reform is largely based on family reunification, same-sex immigration reform is a natural fit, Sadhwani said.
Family reunification is the primary reason Asians and Pacific Islanders come to the United States. And though a path to citizenship exists for most family members of U.S. citizens and green card holders, many wait for years in their home countries to get a visa, according to the APALC.
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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.