In this week’s print edition, Gay City News laid out its endorsements in November 2 races for state offices in New York, some of which remain competitive, especially for the State Senate.At the federal level, the major risk facing the LGBT community is the potential for Democrats losing control of the House of Representatives. Though Democrats are also expected to see their 59-41 edge in the Senate whittled considerably, the party is widely expected to hold on there.Loss of the House or of both chambers would deal a devastating blow to efforts to move forward on significant gay political goals — most prominent among them:repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (should the Senate fail to complete action in the lame duck session);passage of a transgender-inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act;enactment of immigration reform that includes the right of same-sex binational couples to have a for
Search results for senate, hold, firstever, hearing, addressing, antigay
Our Picks for the US Senate and House - Chelsea Now
Posted by
uluckidog 571 days ago
(http://news.google.com)
Resolution To Support Gay Binational Couples Heads To California Senate
Posted by
LauREN 705 days ago
(http://blogs.sfweekly.com)
A resolution supporting the federal bill that would allow gay U.S. citizens to sponsor their partners for a visa passed the California Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday and now heads to the Senate floor for a vote.
Our cover story this week, "Worlds Apart," tells the story of three Bay Area couples whose lives would be changed by the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA), a federal bill that allows "permanent partners" to be treated the same as straight spouses in immigration matters. Currently, gay couples have no legal pathway to sponsor their foreign partners to stay in the country.
While the federal UAFA bill is on hold while lawmakers decide whether to include it in the comprehensive immigration reform, California legislators such as Assemblyman Tom Ammiano (D-San Francisco) introduced a resolution last year urging the U.S. Congress to pass the s
Our cover story this week, "Worlds Apart," tells the story of three Bay Area couples whose lives would be changed by the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA), a federal bill that allows "permanent partners" to be treated the same as straight spouses in immigration matters. Currently, gay couples have no legal pathway to sponsor their foreign partners to stay in the country.
While the federal UAFA bill is on hold while lawmakers decide whether to include it in the comprehensive immigration reform, California legislators such as Assemblyman Tom Ammiano (D-San Francisco) introduced a resolution last year urging the U.S. Congress to pass the s
Senate seen as bottleneck for LGBT bills
Posted by
OurHero-Tan 879 days ago
(http://www.edgesanfrancisco.com)
So far the votes are not there to undo DOMA, and an immigration reform bill set to be taken up by a House committee early next year does not include any LGBT language. The out lawmakers did say they believe when the House does schedule a vote on immigration reform the final version of the bill will include the pro-gay provisions for LGBT binational couples.
Hate Crime Bill Passes Senate Close to Final Passage
Posted by
igualdad 1036 days ago
(http://www.sfbaytimes.com)
The Senate tacked hate crimes onto the defense appropriations bill, so we are a conference committee away from sending “something gay” to the desk of the president for the first time. The conference committee needs to strip out a poison pill amendment that mandates the death sentence for certain federal crimes, but other than that detail, we’re home free.
I know you want to hear about the midgets, but I’m not finished. I can’t help being pleased by this modest step in the right direction, but as I’ve written before, a hate crime law is last on my personal gay agenda. It is an ineffective deterrent to a type of violence that will only abate gradually with the help of substantial gay rights legislation. The repeal of the military ban. The addition of sexual orientation to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. Immigration reform for the partners of gay Americans. Federal recognit
I know you want to hear about the midgets, but I’m not finished. I can’t help being pleased by this modest step in the right direction, but as I’ve written before, a hate crime law is last on my personal gay agenda. It is an ineffective deterrent to a type of violence that will only abate gradually with the help of substantial gay rights legislation. The repeal of the military ban. The addition of sexual orientation to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. Immigration reform for the partners of gay Americans. Federal recognit
Obama Administration Set To Hold Powwow With Big Gay Groups
Posted by
Fight4theRight 1070 days ago
(http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com)
Back in March the White House voiced it's support for the Uniting American Families Act UAFA which would rectify this inequality and recognize 'Permanent partners' as part of immigration law. This Legislation FINALLY is getting the ...
The Obama Justice Department has reached out to major gay rights organizations and scheduled a private meeting for next week with the groups, in an apparent effort to smooth over tensions in the wake of the controversy over the administration’s defense in court of the Defense of Marriage Act.
Tracy Russo, a spokesperson for Justice, confirmed the meeting to me, after I posted below that top gay rights lawyers were miffed that administration lawyers had rebuffed their requests to meet and discuss ongoing litigation involving DOMA.
Bratty? What if you were forced to chose between your Country and your Love? (assuming y
The Obama Justice Department has reached out to major gay rights organizations and scheduled a private meeting for next week with the groups, in an apparent effort to smooth over tensions in the wake of the controversy over the administration’s defense in court of the Defense of Marriage Act.
Tracy Russo, a spokesperson for Justice, confirmed the meeting to me, after I posted below that top gay rights lawyers were miffed that administration lawyers had rebuffed their requests to meet and discuss ongoing litigation involving DOMA.
Bratty? What if you were forced to chose between your Country and your Love? (assuming y
Obama Administrations Anti Gay DOMA Memorandum In Review
Posted by
UnitedByLove 1077 days ago
(http://jaysays.com)
Summary of US Response: 1) The Court Lacks Jurisdiction. (2) The Plaintiff’s Lack Standing. (3) DOMA Is a Valid Exercise of Congress’s Power under the Full Faith and Credit Clause. (4) DOMA Cannot Be Said to Violate an Asserted “Right to Travel”. (5) DOMA Is Consistent with Equal Protection and Due Process Principles. (6) DOMA Does Not Violate the Right to Privacy. (7) DOMA Cannot Be Said to Infringe Upon any Rights of Speech. (8) DOMA Cannot Be Said to Infringe Upon any “Right” under the Ninth Amendment.
So that is the response of the Department of Justice to the Complaint, generally. The question thus remains, “Is the memorandum, written by attorneys for the Department of Justice, on behalf of the United States of America, whose Chief Executive Officer is Barack Obama, the opinion of the President of the United States?”
The duty of the United States in these
So that is the response of the Department of Justice to the Complaint, generally. The question thus remains, “Is the memorandum, written by attorneys for the Department of Justice, on behalf of the United States of America, whose Chief Executive Officer is Barack Obama, the opinion of the President of the United States?”
The duty of the United States in these
Whats there to Get about Marriage Equality (Jennifer Brunner)
Posted by
uluckidog 1080 days ago
(http://www.huffingtonpost.com)
Jennifer BrunnerOhio Secretary Of State; candidate for U.S. Senate - When an LGBT couple, with or without children, is bi-national, problems increase. Marriage equality is the law in the Netherlands, Belgium, Canada, Spain and South Africa. However, the U.S. definition of "family" for immigration purposes does not include LGBT couples. Without this, many U.S. LGBT citizens have found their only alternative is to emigrate with their partners to a country with laws that afford them the opportunity to live together without fear of separation because of antiquated laws that do not recognize their families.
Even in countries not recognizing marriage equality, common sense immigration equality has been legislated. (For those concerned about fraud, it should be pointed out that none of these countries has reported fraud associated with this policy.)
A good start is to
Even in countries not recognizing marriage equality, common sense immigration equality has been legislated. (For those concerned about fraud, it should be pointed out that none of these countries has reported fraud associated with this policy.)
A good start is 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
Uniting American Families Act (HRC BACKSTORY)
Posted by
DividedByLaw 1085 days ago
(http://www.hrcbackstory.org)
Written Statement of Joe Solmonese, President, Human Rights Campaign. To the Committee on Judiciary, U.S Why the Act is Needed
Our government’s failure to recognize lesbian and gay families for immigration purposes wreaks havoc on the lives of the American citizens who fall in love with non-citizens and the children who fear being deprived of one of their parents. Many are forced to leave family and friends, sell businesses and abandon the community and country they love in order to keep their families together. Families are forced to choose: separate or live in exile.
The effects of this injustice are all too real for thousands of Americans. The last census revealed that nearly 36,000 bi-national couples are affected by the inequality in our nation’s immigration laws. This injustice affects entire families; nearly 47% percent of bi-national couples are raisin
Our government’s failure to recognize lesbian and gay families for immigration purposes wreaks havoc on the lives of the American citizens who fall in love with non-citizens and the children who fear being deprived of one of their parents. Many are forced to leave family and friends, sell businesses and abandon the community and country they love in order to keep their families together. Families are forced to choose: separate or live in exile.
The effects of this injustice are all too real for thousands of Americans. The last census revealed that nearly 36,000 bi-national couples are affected by the inequality in our nation’s immigration laws. This injustice affects entire families; nearly 47% percent of bi-national couples are raisin
First Ever Hearing on GLBT Immigration Equality (Windy City Times)
Posted by
DividedByLaw 1085 days ago
(http://www.windycitymediagroup.com)
First Ever Hearing on GLBT Immigration Equality - Windy City Times. Filed under: Featured — jessica s law - Google News @ 5:41 pm. table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont ...Julian Bond, the lion of the civil rights movement, threw the support of the National Association of Colored People ( NAACP ) behind the legislation “because the NAACP strongly believes that the definition of ‘family is not restrictive and can and should also include non-traditional family units.” He is the chairman of the board of the group.
“Too much of the debate [ on immigration reform ] has focused on enforcement and undocumented workers,” Bond said the NAACP feels strongly that the focus should be on a reinvigoration of the reunification of families.
Supporter Sen. Charles Schumer ( D-New York ) argued, “What truly engenders fraud is the
“Too much of the debate [ on immigration reform ] has focused on enforcement and undocumented workers,” Bond said the NAACP feels strongly that the focus should be on a reinvigoration of the reunification of families.
Supporter Sen. Charles Schumer ( D-New York ) argued, “What truly engenders fraud is the
This was a historic event because it marked the first time in history that the Senate held hearing regarding Same-Sex Family Immigration matters.
For those unfamiliar with the UAFA, it is a bill that would add the term “Permanent Partner” to the list of those eligible for US Immigration benefits based upon a family relationship. Under the Defense of Marriage Act, the Federal government only recognizes marriage between a man and a woman. The UAFA creates a new category of family member, namely: Permanent Partners.
A note of importance, the President of AILA , The American Immigration Lawyers Association, submitted a statement to the committee supporting the enactment of the Uniting of American Families Act. An interesting quote from the statement:
“[S]ame sex partners of U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents are not recognized as family member
For those unfamiliar with the UAFA, it is a bill that would add the term “Permanent Partner” to the list of those eligible for US Immigration benefits based upon a family relationship. Under the Defense of Marriage Act, the Federal government only recognizes marriage between a man and a woman. The UAFA creates a new category of family member, namely: Permanent Partners.
A note of importance, the President of AILA , The American Immigration Lawyers Association, submitted a statement to the committee supporting the enactment of the Uniting of American Families Act. An interesting quote from the statement:
“[S]ame sex partners of U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents are not recognized as family member
Jeff Sessions Annoyed By Crying Child At Hearing (The Huffington Post)
Posted by
MikeLA 1085 days ago
(http://www.huffingtonpost.com)
Heterosexual Americans can earn citizenship for their foreign partners by marrying them. Gays, obviously, cannot do that, effectively making a gay American and his or her foreign spouse legal strangers.
For most people, the sight of a 12-year-old boy in tears at the prospect of his mother being deported halfway around the world would invoke some sympathy. Unmoved, however, was Alabama Republican Jeff Sessions, ranking minority member of the Committee and the only Republican to bother to attend the hearing. At the sight of the weeping boy, according to a Senate staffer who was at the hearing, Sessions leaned towards one of his aides and sighed, "Enough with the histrionics." Sessions's press secretary did not return a call seeking comment.
For most people, the sight of a 12-year-old boy in tears at the prospect of his mother being deported halfway around the world would invoke some sympathy. Unmoved, however, was Alabama Republican Jeff Sessions, ranking minority member of the Committee and the only Republican to bother to attend the hearing. At the sight of the weeping boy, according to a Senate staffer who was at the hearing, Sessions leaned towards one of his aides and sighed, "Enough with the histrionics." Sessions's press secretary did not return a call seeking comment.
Senate Talks LGBT Immigration
Posted by
freedom2immigrate 1086 days ago
(http://www.advocate.com)
The Senate Judiciary Committee held the first congressional hearing on the Uniting American Families Act Wednesday. The act would allow gay citizens to sponsor their partners for residency in the United States.
An Advocate.com exclusive posted June 3, 2009 - The Senate Judiciary Committee held the first congressional hearing on the Uniting American Families Act Wednesday. The act would allow gay and lesbian citizens to sponsor their partners for residency in the United States.
“For too long, gay and lesbian American citizens whose partners are foreign nationals have been denied the ability to sponsor their loved ones for lawful permanent residency,” said Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. “Under current immigration law, many citizens have been forced to choose between their country and their loved ones. No American should
An Advocate.com exclusive posted June 3, 2009 - The Senate Judiciary Committee held the first congressional hearing on the Uniting American Families Act Wednesday. The act would allow gay and lesbian citizens to sponsor their partners for residency in the United States.
“For too long, gay and lesbian American citizens whose partners are foreign nationals have been denied the ability to sponsor their loved ones for lawful permanent residency,” said Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. “Under current immigration law, many citizens have been forced to choose between their country and their loved ones. No American should
Historic US Senate Hearing Held on UAFA (HRC)
Posted by
BinatUK 1086 days ago
(http://www.hrc.org)
The Human Rights Campaign Foundation, the nation’s largest gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, today lauded the first-ever congressional hearing on the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA). The hearing, held by the Senate Judiciary Committee, was titled “The Uniting American Families Act: Addressing Inequality in Federal Immigration Law” and featured a number of witnesses testifying in support of the bill, which would allow U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents in same-sex relationships to sponsor their partners for immigration purposes.
“For far too long, our elected officials have ignored the devastating real-life consequences that current immigration policies have had on thousands of same-sex couples in loving, committed relationships,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “We thank Senator Leahy for his leade
“For far too long, our elected officials have ignored the devastating real-life consequences that current immigration policies have had on thousands of same-sex couples in loving, committed relationships,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “We thank Senator Leahy for his leade
EQCA is sponsoring a resolution, authored by Assemblymember Kevin de León, that would put the state of California on record in support of the Uniting American Families Act.
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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.