When I wrote a review of Elizabeth Gilbert's new book, Committed, last week, I failed to mention one of my favorite parts of the book. She wholeheartedly challenges the American government's continued discrimination against same-sex couples in immigration situations.
There was nothing ambiguous, however, about the situation that a dear friend of mine recently faced when she and her non-American partner had to figure out how the hell to be together despite a federal government that refuses to recognize their love and commitment. After many costly and painful twists and turns, they're now relying on an education visa. Incidentally, many international couples (heterosexual included) must rely on these visas in order to be together, as they can be far less costly than hiring a lawyer and going through marriage proceedings.
In any case, I wanted to shine a spotlight
Search results for how, government
Love across oceans US government is still a sinking ship
Posted by
USABound 705 days ago
(http://www.feministing.com)
How I define an LGBT issue (Open Left)
Posted by
ATLdave 879 days ago
(http://www.openleft.com)
In all the LGBT community dialogue in which I participate and observe, immigration reform is never one of the "big" issues at the federal level. Usually those most talked about include hate crimes, ENDA, DOMA, DADT, and HIV/AIDS policy.
Why is that? I think it's because with the exception of HIV/AIDS, all of those policies specifically discriminate against LGBT people. Federal employment non-discrimination laws, for example, protect lots of categories of people- race, religion, sex, and so forth. Sexual orientation and gender identity are specifically excluded, so this is an "LGBT" issue.
Contrast that with immigration reform. After the Uniting American Families Act provision wasn't included in the bill as introduced (which would allow same-sex binational couples to have the same access to immigration benefits that heterosexual couples do), I can't tell you how many p
Why is that? I think it's because with the exception of HIV/AIDS, all of those policies specifically discriminate against LGBT people. Federal employment non-discrimination laws, for example, protect lots of categories of people- race, religion, sex, and so forth. Sexual orientation and gender identity are specifically excluded, so this is an "LGBT" issue.
Contrast that with immigration reform. After the Uniting American Families Act provision wasn't included in the bill as introduced (which would allow same-sex binational couples to have the same access to immigration benefits that heterosexual couples do), I can't tell you how many p
Gutierrez bill affects LGBT people
Posted by
uluckidog 879 days ago
(http://www.openleft.com)
Going along to get along is not working anymore. Why should LGBT activists be there for immigration folks if they aren't there for us? Big surprise. Just like ENDA in 2007, we are expected to press on while others are left behind. This bill is now worthless for LGBT people.
I asked Rachel about the lack of the UAFA provision, and she said: Immigration Equality is continuing to push hard to make sure all families...I wrote the other night about the Gutierrez immigration reform bill leaving out a major provision for LGBT bi-national couples to have the same access to sponsorship. Currently, if one member of an opposite-sex bi-national couple is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and the other is foreign-born, the U.S. citizen or permanent resident can sponsor the foreign-born individual for immigration benefits. Same-sex bi-national couples do not have this option. The Unit
I asked Rachel about the lack of the UAFA provision, and she said: Immigration Equality is continuing to push hard to make sure all families...I wrote the other night about the Gutierrez immigration reform bill leaving out a major provision for LGBT bi-national couples to have the same access to sponsorship. Currently, if one member of an opposite-sex bi-national couple is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and the other is foreign-born, the U.S. citizen or permanent resident can sponsor the foreign-born individual for immigration benefits. Same-sex bi-national couples do not have this option. The Unit
How Exactly Should The Government Go About Discouraging Homosexuality?
Posted by
ATLdave 1070 days ago
(http://www.rightwingwatch.org)
For the most part, the spokespeople for the Family Research Council manage to advocate their right-wing anti-gay agenda in manner seemingly designed to avoid controversy and appear moderate and fair-minded.
That is not to say that its agenda isn't misguided and offensive - it is - but simply to note that, by and large, people from FRC tend not to say particularly radical things that expose the hostility toward gays that underlies much of their work.
Ignoring the obvious hypocrisy of the fact that Sprigg doesn't think people should get special rights for "choosing" to be gay while they do deserve special rights for choosing to be ... say, Christian, I'm curious to know just what Sprigg thinks that the government should be doing in order to "discourage" homosexuality?
Tax it? Oppress it? Make it a criminal offense?
That is not to say that its agenda isn't misguided and offensive - it is - but simply to note that, by and large, people from FRC tend not to say particularly radical things that expose the hostility toward gays that underlies much of their work.
Ignoring the obvious hypocrisy of the fact that Sprigg doesn't think people should get special rights for "choosing" to be gay while they do deserve special rights for choosing to be ... say, Christian, I'm curious to know just what Sprigg thinks that the government should be doing in order to "discourage" homosexuality?
Tax it? Oppress it? Make it a criminal offense?
Having a democratic President essentially ignore the fact the we too are people with children and we are being discriminated against through legislation… is just unbelievable to me. Look President Obama this is me Melanie and my baby girl!
This token offering is just that; it serves only to highlight what he has NOT done for all the LGBT community and a feeble attempt to avert our attention from the basic rights we deserve and are not pertaining to every level of our de facto existence. I do not...
This token offering is just that; it serves only to highlight what he has NOT done for all the LGBT community and a feeble attempt to avert our attention from the basic rights we deserve and are not pertaining to every level of our de facto existence. I do not...
How Dick Cheney Is a Better Marriage Equality Advocate Than Barack Obama
Posted by
UnitedByLove 1088 days ago
(http://www.queerty.com)
Therefore for same sex bi-national couples the passing of Uniting American Families Act or repeal of DOMA would bring us immigration equality for our foreign born partners.
So, what, former Vice President Dick Cheney is for gay marriage now? Actuall yes, but that's not news. Speaking at the National Press Club today, Cheney responded to a question about gay marriage, and said he wants same-sex unions to be decided at a state-by-state level, just as things are happening now, and not with the federal government deciding who gets to wed.
It should be assumed that Cheney's position stems at least in part from having a gay daughter, Mary.
But just because Cheney just made so explicit his stance on gay marriage doesn't mean we're actually hearing anything new. Cheney split from his boss George W. Bush when the then-president supported a constitutional amendme
So, what, former Vice President Dick Cheney is for gay marriage now? Actuall yes, but that's not news. Speaking at the National Press Club today, Cheney responded to a question about gay marriage, and said he wants same-sex unions to be decided at a state-by-state level, just as things are happening now, and not with the federal government deciding who gets to wed.
It should be assumed that Cheney's position stems at least in part from having a gay daughter, Mary.
But just because Cheney just made so explicit his stance on gay marriage doesn't mean we're actually hearing anything new. Cheney split from his boss George W. Bush when the then-president supported a constitutional amendme
Bloggings on Dysfunctional Government Immigration Inequality for Same Sex Families
Posted by
BinatUK 1091 days ago
(http://news.google.com)
Don't Ask, Can't Tell: Immigration Inequality for Same-Sex Families
Family reunification, at least as far back as the Quota Law of 1921, has been and remains today a cornerstone of America's immigration laws. Yet, one growing segment of family immigration is disfavored by operation of law. These are the families of same-sex life partners who must live under a legal system that imposes family-separation rather than unity.
Sometimes the ground beneath our feet shifts and we can't be sure why. This time it may just be that the stunning tectonic movement is caused by the marching feet of the supporters of civil rights for binational gay and lesbian couples.
Family reunification, at least as far back as the Quota Law of 1921, has been and remains today a cornerstone of America's immigration laws. Yet, one growing segment of family immigration is disfavored by operation of law. These are the families of same-sex life partners who must live under a legal system that imposes family-separation rather than unity.
Sometimes the ground beneath our feet shifts and we can't be sure why. This time it may just be that the stunning tectonic movement is caused by the marching feet of the supporters of civil rights for binational gay and lesbian couples.
How Immigration Issues Effect Same Sex Couples
Posted by
uluckidog 1140 days ago
(http://www.queercents.com)
The legislation amends the definitions sections of the Immigration and Nationality Act to include definitions for “permanent partner” and...
How (and Why) Gillibrand Got Right With Gays
Posted by
UnitedByLove 1142 days ago
(http://www.observer.com)
For all the accounts of the last-minute machinations that went into the selection of Kirsten Gillibrand as New York's new senator, we haven't heard much about the sudden willingness of some gay-rights activists ...
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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.