The story in this video was first brought to my attention last week on Facebook. It is a story not unlike so many I have heard in my work with Out4Immigration. Josh, an American, married Henry, who is from Venezuela, in a state that recognizes gay marriages (Connecticut) last year. If Josh was "Jane", he would have been able to petition the federal government to sponsor his husband for a green card. While there may be a waiting period and even an "investigation", the couple would not be looking
Search results for us, visas, sex, couples, uniting, american, families, act
For Same-Sex Binational Couples, Is the Time
Posted by
uluckidog 571 days ago
(http://kazzadraskmedia.blogspot.com)
Uniting American Love - Chelsea Now
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
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
US senator help Brazilian man reunite with his American husband
Posted by
USABound 705 days ago
(http://www.canadaeast.com)
A Brazilian man was reunited with his American husband this week after a U.S. senator pressed federal officials to temporarily allow the gay man back into the country on humanitarian grounds.
Nearly three years ago, the couple split when Oliveira was forced to return to Brazil after being denied permanent residency in the U.S. because the federal government does not recognize same-sex marriages.
The pair maintained contact through online video chats and sporadic visits during holidays.
The case gained international attention from gay rights and immigrant advocates who criticized U.S. officials for separating the couple even though they were legally married.
Nearly three years ago, the couple split when Oliveira was forced to return to Brazil after being denied permanent residency in the U.S. because the federal government does not recognize same-sex marriages.
The pair maintained contact through online video chats and sporadic visits during holidays.
The case gained international attention from gay rights and immigrant advocates who criticized U.S. officials for separating the couple even though they were legally married.
California’s Senate Judiciary committee may soon be holding an official hearing on AJR 15, a resolution if approved would confirm California’s support of the passing of a United States Congressional bill The Uniting American Families Act (UAFA-HR.1024 & S 424).
Authored by Assembly Member Kevin de Leon, CA-45, AJR 15 declares California’s disapproval of current US Immigration laws which forbids Same-Sex bi-national couples the opportunity from being able to sponsor their partners for immigration purposes.
Authored by Assembly Member Kevin de Leon, CA-45, AJR 15 declares California’s disapproval of current US Immigration laws which forbids Same-Sex bi-national couples the opportunity from being able to sponsor their partners for immigration purposes.
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
Jen (US) and Loz (UK) LGBT IMMIGRATION STORIES
Posted by
igualdad 705 days ago
(http://lgbtculture.wordpress.com)
“Let me die, die trying; if I fall, at least my heart will have been true. Let me die, die trying; I can cry tomorrow if I do.”
Kristen Hall intertwines the necessary optimism and ever-lingering pessimism same-sex bi-national couples suffer in these two lines from one of my favourites of her insightfully written songs. When I listen to her velvety voice wrapping itself around these words, I feel the bristle of pain and anger that springs from a relationship started with pure joy and naïveté. Like many who are partnered with a same-sex foreigner, I often find myself teetering between tossing in the towel and jumping full force into the uncertainty of starting over, propelled equally by love and desperation.
I’m not over-dramatising—I’m a girl in love with a girl who just happens to come from another country, my country’s greatest ally—the United Kingdom. The mor
Kristen Hall intertwines the necessary optimism and ever-lingering pessimism same-sex bi-national couples suffer in these two lines from one of my favourites of her insightfully written songs. When I listen to her velvety voice wrapping itself around these words, I feel the bristle of pain and anger that springs from a relationship started with pure joy and naïveté. Like many who are partnered with a same-sex foreigner, I often find myself teetering between tossing in the towel and jumping full force into the uncertainty of starting over, propelled equally by love and desperation.
I’m not over-dramatising—I’m a girl in love with a girl who just happens to come from another country, my country’s greatest ally—the United Kingdom. The mor
Is Immigration rights for same sex couples possible
Posted by
BinatUK 705 days ago
(http://www.sfgate.com)
You're from the United States. You fall in love with a foreign national. Straight couples have legal recourse in this situation: get married and sponsor your spouse for citizenship.
Gay couples in this situation have no legal recourse, an issue that SF Weekly recently highlighted with the stories of several same-sex couples who were separated by US immigration law, or had one partner living in the United States illegally.
Because the federal Defense of Marriage Act prohibits legal recognition of same-sex relationships, couples married in California, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa and Vermont can't sponsor their spouses for citizenship either.
Democrats in the Senate have included a provision for same-sex couples in their immigration reform proposal released April 29, which will give them the same immigration rights as straight cou
Gay couples in this situation have no legal recourse, an issue that SF Weekly recently highlighted with the stories of several same-sex couples who were separated by US immigration law, or had one partner living in the United States illegally.
Because the federal Defense of Marriage Act prohibits legal recognition of same-sex relationships, couples married in California, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa and Vermont can't sponsor their spouses for citizenship either.
Democrats in the Senate have included a provision for same-sex couples in their immigration reform proposal released April 29, which will give them the same immigration rights as straight cou
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
LGBTQ March on Sunday for Immigration Reform
Posted by
BinationalHope 798 days ago
(http://www.actonprinciples.org)
THE LGBTQ community is on the MARCH again on SUNDAY, March 21st — in Washington, D.C. Lincoln Memorial 1 p.m.
This time for LGBT Immigration Domestic Partnership Rights and Immigration Reform!!!
Please join the Parade in D.C. (see below) or by bus from NYC:
This time for LGBT Immigration Domestic Partnership Rights and Immigration Reform!!!
Please join the Parade in D.C. (see below) or by bus from NYC:
UAFA Now ANOTHER American Exiled (WEEKLY FEATURED STORY) Melanie Nathan
Posted by
uluckidog 879 days ago
(http://lezgetreal.com)
Here is the plan – I will post a new true life story, bi- monthly featuring a story of one binational lesbian or gay couple who are either in hiding in the US, waiting for a visa to run out, living in exile or living alone unable to be with a beloved partner. I vow to do this until one of two things happen first:
a. UAFA (or equivalent) is passed into law, giving us our equal right to sponsor our partners for green-cards, equally; or
b. I run out of binational couples – The estimate is between 40,000-100,000 binationals which means I can keep writing – lets see- 2 per month for 12 months – divide into – lets do the smaller amount in case the big amount is inaccurate – so divide 24 into 40,000 = 1,666 years – please check my math….. okay I hope “a” happens first!
a. UAFA (or equivalent) is passed into law, giving us our equal right to sponsor our partners for green-cards, equally; or
b. I run out of binational couples – The estimate is between 40,000-100,000 binationals which means I can keep writing – lets see- 2 per month for 12 months – divide into – lets do the smaller amount in case the big amount is inaccurate – so divide 24 into 40,000 = 1,666 years – please check my math….. okay I hope “a” happens first!
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.
Senator Arlen Specter signs support for Uniting American Families Act
Posted by
USAFrance 901 days ago
(http://lezgetreal.com)
There has been a recent bevy of co-sponsors signing onto the Uniting American Families Act, the legislation that seeks to provide Lesbian and Gay Americans with the right to Petition for their same-sex spouses/ partners to live in the USA. This law merely seeks to place the words “permanent partners” into the existing Immigration and Naturalization Act. This is no time to let up, but rather imprtant that we make the most of the momentum. I have 14 couples I am trying to help remain together in the US. That is a tip of the iceberg. They are all desperate. They want to stay together and they want to stay at home. We need UAFA legialstion and awareness of the binational issue more so than ever. Please I am asking for your help.
..
Today the news was immense when Senator Arlen Specter sign his support to the Bill. In June this year the Senator attended and spoke at
..
Today the news was immense when Senator Arlen Specter sign his support to the Bill. In June this year the Senator attended and spoke at
Immigration Reform Must Include LGBT Couples
Posted by
freedom2immigrate 901 days ago
(http://lezgetreal.com)
In the fight for immigration equality, grassroots group OUT4IMMIGRATION, needs your urgent help. They are asking for you to please sign a Petition which can be found via their website or at www.change.org
All we want is a ”Point-and-click” a letter off to Senator Schumer and Congresswoman Lofgren, reminding them that comprehensive immigration reform will only occur if ALL families are included — including our LGBT families – The issue is building and the festering unknown is the possibility of our exclusion. There are thousands of your brothers and sisters waiting to be reunited with their lovers/partners/spouses, as the case may be. But there is no law for us AND we are specifically exluded by the law - As American we cannot sponsor for our spouses under the Immigration law of thus United States of America.
All we want is a ”Point-and-click” a letter off to Senator Schumer and Congresswoman Lofgren, reminding them that comprehensive immigration reform will only occur if ALL families are included — including our LGBT families – The issue is building and the festering unknown is the possibility of our exclusion. There are thousands of your brothers and sisters waiting to be reunited with their lovers/partners/spouses, as the case may be. But there is no law for us AND we are specifically exluded by the law - As American we cannot sponsor for our spouses under the Immigration law of thus United States of America.
Two days after signing the historic Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act--the first federal law to extend protections to GLBT Americans--President Barack Obama addressed two other issues seen by gay Americans as crucial to the cause of equality.
The president signed into law legislation that re-authorizes the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act. The law provides funds for another four years to programs that provide medicine and care for needy people living with HIV/AIDS. An estimated 500,000 individuals rely on the program to maintain their treatment regimens...
The president signed into law legislation that re-authorizes the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act. The law provides funds for another four years to programs that provide medicine and care for needy people living with HIV/AIDS. An estimated 500,000 individuals rely on the program to maintain their treatment regimens...
“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...”
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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.