LGBT causes got a major boost last week when two large professional associations announced their support for same-sex marriage recognition.The National Education Association (NEA) and the American Bar Association (ABA) recently adopted resolutions supporting gay rights.
The ABA, at a Chicago conference last week, called on lawmakers to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act. While the association did not take an overt stand on marriage equality, they called the active law, which bars federal agencies from recognizing legal same-sex marriages, unfair.
Estelle Rogers, a member and consultant on civil rights, told the ABA's newsletter, "This is a very modest recommendation, some would even say a fair recommendation."
In San Diego, the NEA came out for LGBT causes, aligning itself with the community on DOMA, the passage of an employee nondiscrimination act
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ABA NEA Come Out for Gay Rights (The Advocate via Yahoo! News)
Posted by
MikeLA 1011 days ago
(http://news.yahoo.com)
California Assembly To Hear Testimony On Resolution on Uniting American Families Act
Posted by
ATLdave 1011 days ago
(http://www.topix.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).
The resolution, 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 US Congress pass and that President Barack Obama sign the Uniting American Families Act. Under current federal law, American citizens are permitted to sponsor an opposite-sex spouse. LGBT partners do not have the same right and are specifically excluded even if married under State law, sue to the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA which defines marriage as between a man and a woman only. The UAFA would extend this basic right to committed same-sex couples, who can prove they are in a committed relationship.
The resolution, 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 US Congress pass and that President Barack Obama sign the Uniting American Families Act. Under current federal law, American citizens are permitted to sponsor an opposite-sex spouse. LGBT partners do not have the same right and are specifically excluded even if married under State law, sue to the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA which defines marriage as between a man and a woman only. The UAFA would extend this basic right to committed same-sex couples, who can prove they are in a committed relationship.
Within Reach
Posted by
ATLdave 1011 days ago
(http://nclrights.wordpress.com)
This year we have seen unprecedented movement on LGBT issues in the 111th Congress with long overdue legislation pending in both the Senate and House of Representatives. Today, more than ever before, federal bills provide an opportunity to improve the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people nationwide. From the Uniting American Families Act to the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act to the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, NCLR is working to ensure that all members of the LGBT community will be included in federal protections.
But it will take all of us to pass this legislation. We need to hold their feet to the fire, and it will require our entire community to engage with our federal elected officials in order to see change in Congress. Right now, we have the potential to see these three bills reach President Obama’s desk, and he has committ
But it will take all of us to pass this legislation. We need to hold their feet to the fire, and it will require our entire community to engage with our federal elected officials in order to see change in Congress. Right now, we have the potential to see these three bills reach President Obama’s desk, and he has committ
National Equality March in Washington (Human Rights Campaign)
Posted by
uluckidog 1015 days ago
(http://www.hrc.org)
On October 11, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) activists and allies will meet by the United States Capitol in Washington, DC. The first national gathering of LGBT volunteers, community members, and supporters since the 2008 elections and the passage of Proposition 8, this event provides a powerful opportunity to harness the energy—both excitement and anger—that this historic year has sparked.
"With thousands of LGBT people and allies coming to Washington to make a difference, it’s our mission to help them become the citizen lobbyists that they want and need to be," said HRC President Joe Solmonese...
"With thousands of LGBT people and allies coming to Washington to make a difference, it’s our mission to help them become the citizen lobbyists that they want and need to be," said HRC President Joe Solmonese...
They Are Already Planning For The Next War
Posted by
UnitedByLove 1015 days ago
(http://www.thealbanyproject.com)
...and our own Chuck Schumer is right in the middle of it. One is the Uniting American Families Act, which simply extends current sponsorship laws to "permanent partners," which means gay relationships as well as common-law type heterosexual partners. The other is the Reuniting Families Act, which is an LGBT-inclusive comprehensive immigration reform bill.
However, both of these bills are likely to get steamrolled if a major CIR bill is introduced by Schumer and company. That means that in order to help out the estimated 30 to 40 thousand bi-national LGBT couples in the US--as well as the 15 to 18 thousand of them who have children who are under threat of having their families broken up--then we need to start contacting Chuck Schumer right now to get the UAFA integrated into the new bill....
However, both of these bills are likely to get steamrolled if a major CIR bill is introduced by Schumer and company. That means that in order to help out the estimated 30 to 40 thousand bi-national LGBT couples in the US--as well as the 15 to 18 thousand of them who have children who are under threat of having their families broken up--then we need to start contacting Chuck Schumer right now to get the UAFA integrated into the new bill....
Caught Between Love and Country Part I (The New Gay)
Posted by
Fight4theRight 1015 days ago
(http://thenewgay.net)
There have been quite a few words in past Global Gaze columns dedicated to the plight of sexual minorities seeking asylum in the United States from repressive and discriminatory governments around the world. But there are other difficulties in terms of U.S. immigration policy that queer people face on a daily basis. For those individuals who are running towards something – in this case a lover or spouse from a different country – rather than away from their home, there are challenges to be overcome as well.
This is because American immigration laws treat LGBT and heterosexual couples differently when it comes to sponsoring a partner for residency. This has resulted in the creation of gay and lesbian binational couples in which one half of the pair must choose to either leave the U.S. or end the relationship. As laws regarding same-sex marriage and civil unions continue to
This is because American immigration laws treat LGBT and heterosexual couples differently when it comes to sponsoring a partner for residency. This has resulted in the creation of gay and lesbian binational couples in which one half of the pair must choose to either leave the U.S. or end the relationship. As laws regarding same-sex marriage and civil unions continue to
Intersections between LGBT and Immigrant Bloggers
Posted by
OurHero-Tan 1015 days ago
(http://www.dreamactivist.org)
The movement for immigration reform–permeated in heterosexuality–has to incorporate queer voices and politics, and not just from ‘Immigration Equality‘, which mainly advocates for gay American citizens without really questioning the problems with the conception of ‘citizenship’ — a construction imbued in routine violence. Given the experiences of a second-class queer citizenship, what should constitute gay immigration politics is an inclusive effort to recognize citizenship as a violent construct that must not be denied to those who seek it.
That’s my stance on this issue and where I can see real bridges being built. At DreamActivist, we don’t want to exclude or throw any immigrants under the bus and have never made our queer identities a secret. The parallels between immigrants and LGBT groups fighting for civil rights are obvious to us and our stories are visible and ava
That’s my stance on this issue and where I can see real bridges being built. At DreamActivist, we don’t want to exclude or throw any immigrants under the bus and have never made our queer identities a secret. The parallels between immigrants and LGBT groups fighting for civil rights are obvious to us and our stories are visible and ava
Juxtaposition (Photos)
Posted by
JesSEA 1015 days ago
(http://www.nixonthehand.com)
I look at the many protests where people are SCREAMING idiotic comments or just whitenoise in townhalls, or marching in Tea Party anti-tax parades, and the meanness, ignorance, mob-like, and ugliness shines America’s pride. This stuff is sick, the real psychological lunatic sickness. The sickness that wants to mask bigotry in anti-gay / immigration talking points and a lust for hellraising and violence in fake hanging effigies and the vague notion of political protest....
Professional Associations Back UAFA and Gay Marriage
Posted by
UnitedByLove 1017 days ago
(http://allogenes.blogspot.com)
Both the National Education Association (NEA) and the American Bar Association (ABA) have adopted resolutions backing GLBT rights, including the right of gay and lesbian couples to marry.
Without naming the legislation, the NEA voiced its support for repeal of DOMA, passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), a bill currently before Congress that would ban employment discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act, a bill that would extend health-care and retirement benefits to the gay and lesbian spouses of federal employees, and the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA), a bill that would allow gay and lesbian Americans to sponsor an immigrant partner for citizenship.
Without naming the legislation, the NEA voiced its support for repeal of DOMA, passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), a bill currently before Congress that would ban employment discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act, a bill that would extend health-care and retirement benefits to the gay and lesbian spouses of federal employees, and the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA), a bill that would allow gay and lesbian Americans to sponsor an immigrant partner for citizenship.
Close your eyes and imagine that all of your family overseas resides here near you in the United States. Now imagine that because of antiquated legislation those loved ones are barred from joining you state-side. This disheartening separation is what bi-national same-sex couples are subjected to under current U.S. immigration law. Although immigration law is supposed to work in favor of family unification, it discriminates against gays and lesbians by preventing them from sponsoring their foreign national partners.
The current immigration system draws its bows of injustice from two different angles. Under the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), U.S. citizens and permanent residents may petition for family-based immigration – but because same-sex partners are not considered “spouses”, gay Americans cannot file residency for their partners.
The gap betwee
The current immigration system draws its bows of injustice from two different angles. Under the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), U.S. citizens and permanent residents may petition for family-based immigration – but because same-sex partners are not considered “spouses”, gay Americans cannot file residency for their partners.
The gap betwee
HRC Finally Grew a Pair (Gay Immigration Rights)
Posted by
OurHero-Tan 1018 days ago
(http://gayimmigration.blogspot.com)
Risking irrelevance in the face of brave grassroots movement such as the Dallas Principles , HRC has finally come around. They just announced the launch of the "No Excuses" campaign, urging members to meet with lawmakers in their districts to push pro-LGBT legislations.
The agenda didn't mention UAFA by name but it's No. 4 on the list. HRC has always been vocal in their support of the legislation, so it's not surprising. "End the painful separation of families by recognizing permanent same-sex couples under immigration laws."...
The agenda didn't mention UAFA by name but it's No. 4 on the list. HRC has always been vocal in their support of the legislation, so it's not surprising. "End the painful separation of families by recognizing permanent same-sex couples under immigration laws."...
Old Amsterdam sends New Amsterdam a love note (Pams House Blend)
Posted by
DividedByLaw 1023 days ago
(http://www.pamshouseblend.com)
Of course in this day and age, marriage between two people of the same sex or gender isn't just a matter of love, like it or not it's a matter of politics. The Dutch parliamentarian Boris Dittrich, who in 1994 introduced the Netherlands' first gay marriage bill and now is an advocacy director at New York's Human Rights Watch, was on hand for the festivities and kept the light of reality shining. "We want to show to the American public that gay couples cannot get immigration, cannot get equal rights like heterosexual couples can" Dittrich said. Uniteing American Families Act, anyone?
Although these newleyweds' civil marriages won't be recognized by the US federal government or most state governments, they will be recognized by New York state thanks to Governor David Patterson's executive order of May 14, 2008. Marriage equality legislation already passed in the New York
Although these newleyweds' civil marriages won't be recognized by the US federal government or most state governments, they will be recognized by New York state thanks to Governor David Patterson's executive order of May 14, 2008. Marriage equality legislation already passed in the New York
HRC Says DOMA Must Go (Gay Immigration Rights)
Posted by
OurHero-Tan 1023 days ago
(http://gayimmigration.blogspot.com)
After urging their members to talk to their lawmakers about the LGBT agenda (DOMA Repeal chief among them) during the August Recess, HRC has followed with a survey intended to show congress the damage DOMA is doing to LGBT families.
Like many others in the community, I have always been skeptical of HRC in their ability and willingness to speak for the grassroots. But if this time they truly put their weight behind the DOMA repeal, I'm more than willing to open my wallet and donate money. Joe Solomonese can have as many galas as he likes if my family can enjoy some real rights.
Like many others in the community, I have always been skeptical of HRC in their ability and willingness to speak for the grassroots. But if this time they truly put their weight behind the DOMA repeal, I'm more than willing to open my wallet and donate money. Joe Solomonese can have as many galas as he likes if my family can enjoy some real rights.
American Gays and Lesbians find refuge in the Netherlands
Posted by
NLXile 1023 days ago
(http://lotusopening.blogspot.com)
PRESS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE. From Love Exiles Foundation. Amsterdam, the Netherlands – Four hundred years after Henry Hudson first set...
Americans Marry During Amsterdam Gay Pride
Posted by
freedom2immigrate 1025 days ago
(http://www.ontopmag.com)
The five married Americans are from New York where their marriages might be legal – the state recognizes legal gay marriage – but the couples could not have wed there.
If the couples wish to remain together they will have to live in the Netherlands. Federal law denies gay and lesbian couples the right to sponsor an immigrant spouse to become a U.S. citizen under the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).
If the couples wish to remain together they will have to live in the Netherlands. Federal law denies gay and lesbian couples the right to sponsor an immigrant spouse to become a U.S. citizen under the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).
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“My question back to you is how do we get immigration reform defined as a...”
“Watch the actual video on ABC 7's website, and you'll see that he's really...”
“Thanks. I shortened it through tinyurl. Works now....”
“Note from imeQ about this editorial: This is an independent project which...”
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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.