“I don’t want to be an activist,” Josh Vandiver, a 29-year-old gay man explained.A Harvard graduate completing his Ph.D. at Princeton, with a focus on comparative ancient Greek and Renaissance political theory, Vandiver said, “I want to finish up my dissertation and become a professor… I’m a reclusive scholar. I like to be in the library all day.”Cristina Ojeda, a 24-year-old lesbian who came to the US from Mexico when she was 11 and became a citizen at the same time her father did, has more experience with LGBT causes. As an undergraduate at the University of California at Santa Cruz, she found herself amidst a politically charged student body. “It was natural to be involved,” she said.Still, when Ojeda, who grew up in California, moved to Buffalo to get a master’s in social work at SUNY, she found an apartment off campus in a low-income neighborhood where she felt uneasy leading a vis
Search results for thanks, courageous, couple, , love, exiles
Uniting American Love - Chelsea Now
Posted by
uluckidog 571 days ago
(http://news.google.com)
Binational Couple Confronts Congressman Rush Holt to Halt
Posted by
uluckidog 571 days ago
(http://saveourmarriagetips.com)
Please contact your …Please contact your representative and tell them to support The Uniting American Families Act (UAFA, H.R. 1024, S. 424). I’m also a person that has to live out side of the USA because my partner is French. This is unjust and unfair! It’s time to make the law equal for everyone! Please support UAFA.
Uniting American Love - Gay City News
Posted by
uluckidog 571 days ago
(http://news.google.com)
“I don’t want to be an activist,” Josh Vandiver, a 29-year-old gay man explained.A Harvard graduate completing his Ph.D. at Princeton, with a focus on comparative ancient Greek and Renaissance political theory, Vandiver said, “I want to finish up my dissertation and become a professor… I’m a reclusive scholar. I like to be in the library all day.”Cristina Ojeda, a 24-year-old lesbian who came to the US from Mexico when she was 11 and became a citizen at the same time her father did, has more experience with LGBT causes. As an undergraduate at the University of California at Santa Cruz, she found herself amidst a politically charged student body. “It was natural to be involved,” she said.Still, when Ojeda, who grew up in California, moved to Buffalo to get a master’s in social work at SUNY, she found an apartment off campus in a low-income neighborhood where she felt uneasy leading a vis
Love Without Borders Or Papers
Posted by
ExileComingHome 705 days ago
(http://www.ipsnews.net)
NEW YORK, Apr 7, 2010 (IPS) - Tom is in love. It's an old story: he noticed an attractive stranger at a friend's party, and the attractive stranger noticed Tom. They began talking, then dating, and then they fell in love. For a while, they enjoyed a perfect romance.
Eventually, though, they had to face the fact that their future would be fraught with possibly insurmountable challenges. Their problem is not a previous relationship or children, not a chronic illness or a lie revealed. It's that Tom's partner is not a U.S. citizen, they are both men, and they are trying to make a life together in the United States, whose laws do not recognise their relationship.
Eventually, though, they had to face the fact that their future would be fraught with possibly insurmountable challenges. Their problem is not a previous relationship or children, not a chronic illness or a lie revealed. It's that Tom's partner is not a U.S. citizen, they are both men, and they are trying to make a life together in the United States, whose laws do not recognise their relationship.
Love across oceans US government is still a sinking ship
Posted by
USABound 705 days ago
(http://www.feministing.com)
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
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
Next week the D.C. Council will discuss a resolution showing support of the Uniting American Families Act pending in Congress.
Councilman At-Large David Catania authored the resolution last week, and the other 12 members of the council co-introduced it.
U.S. immigration law does not allow same-sex citizens and permanent residents to sponsor foreign-born partners for immigration benefits.
The UAFA, introduced in the House by U.S. Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., and in the Senate by Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., would "amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate discrimination in the immigration laws by permitting permanent partners of United States citizens and lawful permanent residents to obtain lawful permanent resident status in the same manner as spouses of citizens and lawful permanent residents and to penalize immigration fraud in connec
Councilman At-Large David Catania authored the resolution last week, and the other 12 members of the council co-introduced it.
U.S. immigration law does not allow same-sex citizens and permanent residents to sponsor foreign-born partners for immigration benefits.
The UAFA, introduced in the House by U.S. Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., and in the Senate by Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., would "amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate discrimination in the immigration laws by permitting permanent partners of United States citizens and lawful permanent residents to obtain lawful permanent resident status in the same manner as spouses of citizens and lawful permanent residents and to penalize immigration fraud in connec
Rare Permission by DHS for Binational Couple
Posted by
BinatUK 705 days ago
(http://lezgetreal.com)
Rare Permission by DHS for Binational CoupleLez Get RealHowever because gay people are unable to sponsor a spouse for immigration to the USA in parity with heterosexual couples, they were separated for nearly ...and more »
Tim Coco and Genesio Oliveira married in 2005, when same-sex marriage became legal in Massachusetts.
However because gay people are unable to sponsor a spouse for immigration to the USA in parity with heterosexual couples, they were separated for nearly three years with Tim in Massachusetts and Genesio stuck in Brazil..
In an extraordinarily rare show of compassion, the immigration officials granted permission for Genesio to enter the USA and remain here for one year on humanitarian grounds, clearing the way for him to try again for legal residency.
Coco said he has spent about $250,000 in legal bills. A h
Tim Coco and Genesio Oliveira married in 2005, when same-sex marriage became legal in Massachusetts.
However because gay people are unable to sponsor a spouse for immigration to the USA in parity with heterosexual couples, they were separated for nearly three years with Tim in Massachusetts and Genesio stuck in Brazil..
In an extraordinarily rare show of compassion, the immigration officials granted permission for Genesio to enter the USA and remain here for one year on humanitarian grounds, clearing the way for him to try again for legal residency.
Coco said he has spent about $250,000 in legal bills. A h
Immigration reform on the agenda in the USA (Love Exiles)
Posted by
igualdad 901 days ago
(http://loveexiles.wordpress.com)
LGBT and immigration right organizations including Love Exiles have been lobbying Guiterrez to include our families. If you're reading this, please sign the petition right now to ask Guiterrez to make his bill inclusive of all American ...
To a mayor from a mayor in exile (Love Exiles)
Posted by
igualdad 901 days ago
(http://loveexiles.wordpress.com)
Love Exiles. Passionate about equality of binational gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender families. December 6, 2009. To a mayor from a mayor in exile. Posted by loveexiles under equal rights for families · Leave a Comment ...
Thanks to a courageous couple (Love Exiles)
Posted by
UnitedByLove 901 days ago
(http://loveexiles.wordpress.com)
Jenny and Ottie are a loving couple of 19 years, mothers of grown children, who faced a dilemma no American family should have to face: keeping their family together.
Most families don’t have to turn to the media (video) to share their grief and anger in the hope of remaining in the country they call home.
After four years in the USA, Jenny and Ottie were forced to leave their home in Delaware for exile in the Netherlands, far from Jenny’s aging parents and siblings....
Most families don’t have to turn to the media (video) to share their grief and anger in the hope of remaining in the country they call home.
After four years in the USA, Jenny and Ottie were forced to leave their home in Delaware for exile in the Netherlands, far from Jenny’s aging parents and siblings....
They met nearly 20 years ago in the Netherlands.
From the start, Jenny Phipps, a Delaware native, and Ottie Pondman said they forged a bond they never shared with their husbands.
When Phipps divorced her husband of 17 years, she moved in with Pondman, a native of the Netherlands, who was already divorced. The two lived as a couple in Zoetermeer.
But when the 52-year-old Phipps decided she wanted to return to the United States following her brother's death, Pondman, 61, agreed and came over on a visa waiver program -- essentially a tourist permit -- to legally remain here.
In September, though, immigration officials gave Pondman 60 to 90 days to leave the country. Her only chance of staying was to get married.
From the start, Jenny Phipps, a Delaware native, and Ottie Pondman said they forged a bond they never shared with their husbands.
When Phipps divorced her husband of 17 years, she moved in with Pondman, a native of the Netherlands, who was already divorced. The two lived as a couple in Zoetermeer.
But when the 52-year-old Phipps decided she wanted to return to the United States following her brother's death, Pondman, 61, agreed and came over on a visa waiver program -- essentially a tourist permit -- to legally remain here.
In September, though, immigration officials gave Pondman 60 to 90 days to leave the country. Her only chance of staying was to get married.
Inaction from Obama Keeps Married Gay Couple Separated
Posted by
BinatUK 931 days ago
(http://www.towleroad.com)
Despite a plea from Senator John Kerry, Attorney General Eric Holder has refused to act in the asylum case of Genesio "Junior" Oliveira, who requested asylum in the U.S. in 2002. In 2005, he was married in Massachusetts to his husband Tim Coco, but the couple have been separated since 2007 when Oliveira was sent back to Brazil after his asylum requests and appeals were denied.
US Immigration Law Tearing Apart Life Love and Home #NEM
Posted by
ATLdave 957 days ago
(http://www.huffingtonpost.com)
full equality for the LGBT community. The event, named the National Equality March, comes on the heels of growing calls for the federal government to pick up the pace on civil rights legislation, such as recognition for LGBT couples, repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and finally passing an inclusive employment non-discrimination act. Organizers say they are expecting tens of thousands – if not hundreds of thousands – of participants for the event.
Steve and Joe, however, will be notably absent.
The couple, who recently married in Connecticut and bought a home in Washington, D.C., will not be in the capital on Sunday. Instead, they will be packing Joe’s belongings. Under federal law, Steve and Joe are no longer allowed to live together in the country they call home.
Steve and Joe, however, will be notably absent.
The couple, who recently married in Connecticut and bought a home in Washington, D.C., will not be in the capital on Sunday. Instead, they will be packing Joe’s belongings. Under federal law, Steve and Joe are no longer allowed to live together in the country they call home.
United by Love divided by Law Week 12
Posted by
UnitedByLove 984 days ago
(http://fairunion.blogspot.com)
This is the 12th week of a coordinated ‘Call Congress’
grassroots effort. In addition to coordinated e-mails,
faxes, and letters to the members we are focusing on, getting
a large number of people to call specific members on the
same day could help bring us more co-sponsors.
It is also a way for us to ‘circle back’ to those members we
had focused on that still have not signed on, to remind them how
important this is to us and that we’re not going away.
Note - ALL FIVE of the Representatives listed below were
past co-sponsors of UAFA, but still have yet to sign on.
grassroots effort. In addition to coordinated e-mails,
faxes, and letters to the members we are focusing on, getting
a large number of people to call specific members on the
same day could help bring us more co-sponsors.
It is also a way for us to ‘circle back’ to those members we
had focused on that still have not signed on, to remind them how
important this is to us and that we’re not going away.
Note - ALL FIVE of the Representatives listed below were
past co-sponsors of UAFA, but still have yet to sign on.
United by Love divided by Law
Posted by
Fight4theRight 1012 days ago
(http://fairunion.blogspot.com)
Every week, a coordinated grassroots effort takes place to contact specific
members of Congress to urge them to co-sponsor the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA).
Please take part in these efforts to help pass UAFA!
We write to 5 members of Congress and their staffers each week. We are encouraged in knowing that
several of the members of Congress we have contacted signed on as co-sponsors soon after we wrote to them.
This week we will be contacting:
members of Congress to urge them to co-sponsor the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA).
Please take part in these efforts to help pass UAFA!
We write to 5 members of Congress and their staffers each week. We are encouraged in knowing that
several of the members of Congress we have contacted signed on as co-sponsors soon after we wrote to them.
This week we will be contacting:
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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.