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
Search results for sen, feinstein, reprieve, foreignborn, lesbian, mother, ordered, leave, calif, family
Immigration Equality announces action fund
Posted by
USAFrance 879 days ago
(http://sdgln.com)
UAFA Gains Influential New Cosponsor
Posted by
freedom2immigrate 901 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
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
National Equality March 2009 #NEM
Posted by
USABound 957 days ago
(http://www.metroweekly.com)
You might even call their activism a lifestyle, rather than something likely innate, such as sexual orientation. Bailes has chosen to be an activist.
"We're also going to see our representative, Mike Thompson," Bailes adds of their D.C. trip. "We're going to speak with him about why he hasn't come onboard with marriage equality and immigration equality. He's usually onboard, so I wanted to speak to him and find out why."
"We're also going to see our representative, Mike Thompson," Bailes adds of their D.C. trip. "We're going to speak with him about why he hasn't come onboard with marriage equality and immigration equality. He's usually onboard, so I wanted to speak to him and find out why."
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?
The Next Kennedy When it Comes to LGBT Rights
Posted by
SFbeat 997 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...
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
Was I Wrong About Sen Kirsten Gillibrand?
Posted by
SFbeat 1045 days ago
(http://fromtheleft.wordpress.com)
I have been an ardent critic of Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand ever since the trifecta of Gov. David Paterson, Sen. Chuck Schumer and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton plucked Gillibrand from the relative obscurity of New York’s 20th congressional district and anointed her to replace Clinton in the senate.
Gillibrand is a conservative Democratic, an outspoken advocate of gun ownership who enjoys a perfect 100% NRA rating. She believes gay marriage equality should be left to the states to decide and, voted against legislation to grant same-sex partners of U.S. citizens the same immigration status of married couples. Needless to say, Gillibrand’s politics are antithetical to mine.
Gillibrand is a conservative Democratic, an outspoken advocate of gun ownership who enjoys a perfect 100% NRA rating. She believes gay marriage equality should be left to the states to decide and, voted against legislation to grant same-sex partners of U.S. citizens the same immigration status of married couples. Needless to say, Gillibrand’s politics are antithetical to mine.
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).
Stop Sen Jim DeMint
Posted by
UnitedByLove 1067 days ago
(http://www.scpronet.com)
Senator Jim DeMint of South Carolina released this letter addressed to Pastors and Religious Leaders on official US Senate letterhead. I mean I know I live in South Carolina, but seriously? I expected better! He talks about the separation of church and state which I feel he blatantly violates by sending this very letter.
Ironically, I wrote to the Senator just last week asking for his support of the Uniting American Families act and telling my story as a person in a bi-national relationship who’s partner is currently struggling with immigration in-equality. I can be pretty certain ...
Ironically, I wrote to the Senator just last week asking for his support of the Uniting American Families act and telling my story as a person in a bi-national relationship who’s partner is currently struggling with immigration in-equality. I can be pretty certain ...
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
Immigration laws force some gay couples to leave US
Posted by
USABound 1079 days ago
(http://www.azstarnet.com)
"It's an unholy marriage of the immigration debate and the same-sex marriage debate," he said. "It's very combustible."
Lown's decision last month brought the issue to an unlikely place, a town of 90,000 where ranchers and roughnecks from the vast open lands come to do their banking and send their kids to the regional state college. The town's only other recent brush with national fame came last year when it housed the hundreds of children taken from a polygamist sect's ranch in nearby Eldorado.
Lown's decision last month brought the issue to an unlikely place, a town of 90,000 where ranchers and roughnecks from the vast open lands come to do their banking and send their kids to the regional state college. The town's only other recent brush with national fame came last year when it housed the hundreds of children taken from a polygamist sect's ranch in nearby Eldorado.
Pro Marriage Equality Candidates
Posted by
UnitedByLove 1079 days ago
(http://leaveittoseaver.com)
I’m sure this isn’t a first, but it’s great to see candidates like Jennifer Brunner who are running for national office and not running away from supporting really progressive gay rights positions. Brunner, who is now Ohio’s Secretary of State, has a piece on Huffington on why she supports marriage equality and why understand the opposition. Further, she makes the great point that once marriage equality is law, lots of other issues become resolved. We can legislate each issue individually, or we can do it in one sweeping move. Bills like the Uniting American Families Act, which deals with immigration issues that international gay couples face, would be unnecessary and would free up the time of legislators to focus on the bigger issues rather than my rights on a piece-meal basis.
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."
“How may I assist with these stories, if at all?...”
“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...”
Feedburner
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.