Immigration Equality, a non-profit advocacy and legal aid organization serving lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and HIV-positive immigrants and their families, announced today that it has established a “501(c)4” entity, the Immigration Equality Action Fund, to significantly increase its federal advocacy and grassroots organizing work. The Action Fund’s launch also includes an expanded office in Washington, D.C., where a new policy staffer and an online grassroots organizer will soon join the organization.
“The launch of the Immigration Equality Action Fund comes at a critical moment in our work to advocate on behalf of LGBT immigrant families,” said Rachel B. Tiven, the organization’s executive director. “As Congress turns its attention to comprehensive immigration reform, and as a record number of lawmakers signal their support for the Uniting American Families A
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Immigration Equality announces action fund
Posted by
USAFrance 879 days ago
(http://sdgln.com)
UAFA Gains Influential New Cosponsor
Posted by
freedom2immigrate 900 days ago
(http://sdgln.com)
Senator Arlen Specter (D-PA), member of the Senate Judiciary Committee (and formerly that committee’s Republican Chairman), has signed on as a cosponsor of the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA).
At last June’s Senate Judiciary Committee UAFA hearing, Specter expressed strong support for ending discrimination against gay and lesbian Americans and their families in immigration law. Immigration Equality applauds Senator Specter for his support for LGBT binational families.
Eight of the Senate Judiciary Committee’s twelve Democrats are now cosponsors of UAFA. A ninth, Senator Ted Kaufman of Delaware, recently publicly stated his support for equal immigration rights for LGBT families
At last June’s Senate Judiciary Committee UAFA hearing, Specter expressed strong support for ending discrimination against gay and lesbian Americans and their families in immigration law. Immigration Equality applauds Senator Specter for his support for LGBT binational families.
Eight of the Senate Judiciary Committee’s twelve Democrats are now cosponsors of UAFA. A ninth, Senator Ted Kaufman of Delaware, recently publicly stated his support for equal immigration rights for LGBT families
I am gay can I stay
Posted by
OneVoice 931 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...
Congress has promised to begin the process of reforming America's broken immigration system later this year. There is widespread consensus that reform is urgently needed, and a growing insistence among lawmakers that any reform effort must adhere to our nation's long-standing commitment to family unification. Under current immigration law, millions of families remain separated because of inexcusable visa backlogs, unnecessary bureaucratic paper trails and discriminatory policies that do not recognize lesbian and gay families for the purposes of equal immigration rights.
For all of those families, time is of the essence. Every day, loved ones are forcibly separated from each other. For too many, the American dream is one that cannot yet be shared with their spouse, sibling or significant other.
As Congress begins to debate immigration reform, all of our families
For all of those families, time is of the essence. Every day, loved ones are forcibly separated from each other. For too many, the American dream is one that cannot yet be shared with their spouse, sibling or significant other.
As Congress begins to debate immigration reform, all of our families
Fierce Urgency of Now
Posted by
UnitedByLove 997 days ago
(http://gayrva.com)
Since ACT UPwe have done nothing on a mass scale to exploit the potential of passive resistance and nonviolent civil disobedience, the most effective, proven techniques of social action refined in the last century. Aside from a few rogue players who’ve applied for marriage licenses and small bands of activists like Soulforce (who’ve been arrested for trespassing on Christian college campuses where they try to instigate conversations about homosexuality), we have not even tried. When gay soldiers get kicked out of the military, why don’t they refuse to leave? Why don’t the rest of us go to support them? Why haven’t we tried?
At a recent chapter meeting the Flat Rock/Hendersonville PFLAG (Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) decided to speak out for marriage equality for all people. There are over 1,100 rights, benefits and responsibilities conferred on married couples by the federal government including access to health care, parenting and immigration rights, social security, veterans and survivor benefits, and transfer of property -- and that doesn't include state and local law, and employers, or the intangible security, dignity, and meaning that comes with marriage.
These federal rights are denied gays and lesbians who are in committed relationships.
Ending the exclusion of gay people from marriage would not change the "definition" of marriage, but it would remove a discriminatory barrier from the path of people who have made a personal commitment to each other and
These federal rights are denied gays and lesbians who are in committed relationships.
Ending the exclusion of gay people from marriage would not change the "definition" of marriage, but it would remove a discriminatory barrier from the path of people who have made a personal commitment to each other and
Shirley Tan and Family to March with Out4Immigration at San Francisco Pride 2009
Posted by
BinatUK 1066 days ago
(http://www.indybay.org)
Shirley Tan, her partner Jay Mercado, and their two children will join Out4Immigration—the all volunteer, grassroots advocate for same-sex binational couples and their families—at the San Francisco 2009 Pride Parade on Sunday, June 28th. Together, they will be marching for equal immigration rights for same-sex binational couples to remain together in the U.S. by urging Congress to pass the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA).
Best LGBT Blogs (The Lesbian and Gay Foundation)
Posted by
BinatUK 1067 days ago
(http://www.lgf.org.uk)
This blog deals largely with American and Canadian immigration and centres around questions of keeping LGBT families and spouses together. The blog has been calling on users to lobby their Members of Congress to cosponsor The Reuniting Families Act - this landmark bill addressing many of the obstacles families face as they struggle to navigate the U.S. immigration system and stay together, it marks the first time gay families have been part of a larger immigration reform bill.
LGF online have scoured the internet to bring you the most informative, entertaining and inspiring blogs from around the world.
The blogs we've chosen cover diverse issues from all sides of the LGBT equation. There's blogs from gay parents, gay conservatives, gay activists, young people coming out, older people coming out, and gay asylum seekers to name but a few.
LGF online have scoured the internet to bring you the most informative, entertaining and inspiring blogs from around the world.
The blogs we've chosen cover diverse issues from all sides of the LGBT equation. There's blogs from gay parents, gay conservatives, gay activists, young people coming out, older people coming out, and gay asylum seekers to name but a few.
An immigration bill introduced in the House of Representatives last week would allow homosexuals to sponsor their “permanent partners” for residency in the United States in the same way that heterosexual married couples are allowed to do. Critics say the legislation opens the door to widespread fraud.
The Reuniting Families Act classifies the children and spouses of lawful permanent U.S. residents as “immediate relatives,” allowing them to quickly qualify for a visa. It also “ends discrimination in immigration law” by allowing same-sex “permanent partners” to reunite in the United States. Asked about countries that lack formal recognition of same-sex marriage (that would include most countries), Nadler told CNSNews.com, “presenting your marriage certificate is not it …they will ask you more questions, you will have to submit more proof.” He did not specify what kind of
The Reuniting Families Act classifies the children and spouses of lawful permanent U.S. residents as “immediate relatives,” allowing them to quickly qualify for a visa. It also “ends discrimination in immigration law” by allowing same-sex “permanent partners” to reunite in the United States. Asked about countries that lack formal recognition of same-sex marriage (that would include most countries), Nadler told CNSNews.com, “presenting your marriage certificate is not it …they will ask you more questions, you will have to submit more proof.” He did not specify what kind of
US immigration for family members may become faster
Posted by
OneVoice 1079 days ago
(http://www.workpermit.com)
If passed, new legislation will mean that families members including same-sex partners will be able to gain faster entry to the US. This is part of the ongoing efforts at immigration reform in the US. Family based immigration would be given priority; Unused visas from previous years will increase the number of visas available.
Mike Honda, who heads the caucus of Asian Americans, said that family members in some Countries have to wait decades to gain entry to the US.
"The benefits cannot be overstated," Honda said. "American workers with families by their side are happier, healthier and more able to succeed than those distanced from loved ones for years on end."
Mike Honda, who heads the caucus of Asian Americans, said that family members in some Countries have to wait decades to gain entry to the US.
"The benefits cannot be overstated," Honda said. "American workers with families by their side are happier, healthier and more able to succeed than those distanced from loved ones for years on end."
Although certain states have taken the progressive step towards granting marriage rights to gay couples, the impact on immigration laws has been zilch. Currently, same sex partners, whether legally married under foreign laws or under the laws of certain U.S. states, are not receiving any immigration benefits as immigration law, along with a few other legal practice areas, is governed entirely by federal statute as opposed to state specific legal rules. Immigration law is controlled by a number of federal regulations such as the Code of Federal Regulations and the Immigration and Nationality Act.
In an unprecedented step towards furthering the fight for equality, Senator Patrick Leahy, Democrat from Vermont, introduced a new bill, the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA), on June 2, 2009. The UAFA aims to allow U.S. Citizens (USC’s) and legal permanent immigrants (LPR’s) to
In an unprecedented step towards furthering the fight for equality, Senator Patrick Leahy, Democrat from Vermont, introduced a new bill, the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA), on June 2, 2009. The UAFA aims to allow U.S. Citizens (USC’s) and legal permanent immigrants (LPR’s) to
Lesbian Mom Testifies in US Senate for Uniting American Families Act
Posted by
freedom2immigrate 1084 days ago
(http://www.topix.com)
this woman is screwed. my cockroach country (United States of America) hates gay human beings. how do i know this? the other day, i was talking with a co-worker, when a H1-B visa contractor from India tells me that he got married in India, and now is bed-buddy is living here in the United States with him. it just infuriates me that a non-citizen/non-permanent resident gets to bring their bed-buddy into my country, yet i (U.S. CITIZEN) am forbidden from bringing a foreign-national bed-buddy for myself. the United States of America is nothing but a cockroach country. cockroach = christian = cockroach
Filipino lesbian mother, Shirley Tan, had received a temporary reprieve and was scheduled to be deported and separated from her partner of 23 years, Jay Mercado, and their two children on April 22. She was saved at the last minute by a private bill introduced by Senator Dianne F
Filipino lesbian mother, Shirley Tan, had received a temporary reprieve and was scheduled to be deported and separated from her partner of 23 years, Jay Mercado, and their two children on April 22. She was saved at the last minute by a private bill introduced by Senator Dianne F
US immigration targets family reunification (GlobalVisas)
Posted by
freedom2immigrate 1084 days ago
(http://www.globalvisas.com)
The rules would allow Americans to apply to have their families move to the US and would see the number of available US visas increase. This would be possible as unused US visa quotas will be passed on to the following year for use in the reunification scheme.
The proposed legislation is, however, proving controversial in some areas of the US population, such as the Catholic Church, as it allows US workers to bring their foreign same-sex partners to live with them and work in the US.
Democrat Congressman Neil Abercrombie says the legislation will not discriminate against gay people and stated, "this is something we're not backing down on."
Abercrombie adds that the lawmakers wish to learn from American history and avoid discrimination of the kind seen in the past. He explains, “there has always been somebody...after they got here, then they wanted
The proposed legislation is, however, proving controversial in some areas of the US population, such as the Catholic Church, as it allows US workers to bring their foreign same-sex partners to live with them and work in the US.
Democrat Congressman Neil Abercrombie says the legislation will not discriminate against gay people and stated, "this is something we're not backing down on."
Abercrombie adds that the lawmakers wish to learn from American history and avoid discrimination of the kind seen in the past. He explains, “there has always been somebody...after they got here, then they wanted
US lawmakers seek to ease family immigration (AFP)
Posted by
freedom2immigrate 1085 days ago
(http://www.google.com)
US lawmakers on Thursday unveiled legislation to help reunite families split apart for years by the creaky immigration system -- including, controversially, same-sex partners. It would also allow Americans to bring in same-sex partners as family members. The provision has triggered the opposition of the Roman Catholic Church, which usually supports measures to liberalize immigration.
Neil Abercrombie, a Democratic congressman from Hawaii, said that excluding gay partners was a form of discrimination of the type seen periodically throughout US history.
Neil Abercrombie, a Democratic congressman from Hawaii, said that excluding gay partners was a form of discrimination of the type seen periodically throughout US history.
Pacifica Mom Urges Passage of Gay Immigration Bill (KCBS NEWS AUDIO)
Posted by
freedom2immigrate 1086 days ago
(http://www.kcbs.com)
A Pacifica mother of two testified on capitol hill Wednesday about how immigration officials took her away from her home in handcuffs for ignoring a deportation letter, which she said she had never seen before.
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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.