I told him of a conversation I had just had with the President: "So I said, 'Will you support the Uniting American Families Act — Jerry Nadler's bill?' He said, 'I haven't read it yet.' I said, 'Please take a look at it,' to which he said, 'I will.'"
Frank asked, "Who said this to you?" I replied, "The President of the United States."
Now I realize that getting the President to tell you that he'll look at a bill is not the most earth-shaking development, but if John Aravosis thinks I am going to pass up a chance to get a few moments of input to the most powerful man in the world, he can kiss my you-know-what.
After I chatted with Frank, I walked over to gay White House staffer Brian Bond, to whom I described my conversation with the President. Now there were a couple of hundred people at the reception, and dozens of them spoke with the President.
UnitedByLove | Submitted 
Short Conversation with the President about UAFA
Posted by
UnitedByLove 1060 days ago
(http://www.glaaforum.org)
It was good to slowly find my way (Read Red)
Posted by
UnitedByLove 1060 days ago
(http://readwritered.blogspot.com)
I'm working full-time at the moment, which is very bad for my writing. Hopefully that will change at some point soon. But yes, Tristan and I live here because U.S. law won't treat us like spouses. He can't immigrate. Meanwhile, the UK treats me exactly how it would a straight partner, and granted me a spouse's visa with no fuss. There's a law before the U.S. Congress now (Uniting American Families Act) that would change this, and allow citizens to sponsor their same-sex partners for immigration. If it passes, Tristan and I will be able to live in the USA.
RR: I assume you're not holding your breath ...
VM: It's got a lot of support, but, yes, I'd be surprised if it passed. Very pleasantly surprised.
RR: I assume you're not holding your breath ...
VM: It's got a lot of support, but, yes, I'd be surprised if it passed. Very pleasantly surprised.
Gay invitees eager for White House reception
Posted by
UnitedByLove 1063 days ago
(http://www.washblade.com)
President Obama has invited a several key players in the LGBT community for a White House reception Monday to celebrate Pride month. "I want the president to understand our impatience," she said. "While we are waiting for inequalities to be corrected, we remain second-class citizens, and people are harmed every day."
She decried, among other issues, how 265 service members have been discharged under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," and how gay bi-national couples are often kept apart under current immigration law. "We need concrete action, and we need it now," Ochs said. "This is the best presidential administration I've ever lived under, and my expectations are high."
She decried, among other issues, how 265 service members have been discharged under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," and how gay bi-national couples are often kept apart under current immigration law. "We need concrete action, and we need it now," Ochs said. "This is the best presidential administration I've ever lived under, and my expectations are high."
Promises Promises Obama slow on pledge to gays
Posted by
UnitedByLove 1064 days ago
(http://www.examiner.com)
President Barack Obama meets with members of Congress to discuss immigration, Thursday, June 25, 2009, in the State Dinning Room of the White House in Washington.
"I don't think it's an appropriate time to be raising money. No one is happy now," said Richard Socarides, who advised former President Bill Clinton on gay issues and did not plan to attend the event. "On gay rights, the country is already in the age of Obama, but he's governing from the Clinton era."
"I don't think it's an appropriate time to be raising money. No one is happy now," said Richard Socarides, who advised former President Bill Clinton on gay issues and did not plan to attend the event. "On gay rights, the country is already in the age of Obama, but he's governing from the Clinton era."
My Congresswoman Doris Matsu is the best
Posted by
UnitedByLove 1064 days ago
(http://revolked2.blogspot.com)
Doris Matsui - Thank you for contacting me regarding your support of H.R.1024, the Uniting American Families Act of 2009. I appreciate hearing from you on this important piece of legislation.
The Uniting American Families Act amends current immigration law to afford homosexual couples the same immigration rights currently enjoyed by heterosexual couples. By defining adults in committed, intimate relationships as "permanent partners," the legislation extends the rights currently available to legally married individuals to all life-long partners, regardless of sexual orientation. You will be pleased to know that I am an original co-sponsor of this important piece of legislation aimed at eliminating discriminatory provisions within our immigration laws, and that I will continue to advocate for equality among all people...
The Uniting American Families Act amends current immigration law to afford homosexual couples the same immigration rights currently enjoyed by heterosexual couples. By defining adults in committed, intimate relationships as "permanent partners," the legislation extends the rights currently available to legally married individuals to all life-long partners, regardless of sexual orientation. You will be pleased to know that I am an original co-sponsor of this important piece of legislation aimed at eliminating discriminatory provisions within our immigration laws, and that I will continue to advocate for equality among all people...
United by Love divided by Law Week 2
Posted by
UnitedByLove 1064 days ago
(http://fairunion.blogspot.com)
This is the second week of our ‘Call Congress’ effort.
In addition to coordinated e-mails,
faxes, and letters to the members we are targeting, 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 targeted that still have not signed on, to remind them how
important this is to us and that we’re not going away.
In addition to coordinated e-mails,
faxes, and letters to the members we are targeting, 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 targeted that still have not signed on, to remind them how
important this is to us and that we’re not going away.
UAFA Outreach or Overreach (Prayer Action News)
Posted by
UnitedByLove 1065 days ago
(http://prayer-and-action.blogspot.com)
Making a Difference, Once Call at a time - Yesterday, while I was on the Hill meeting with a handful of senators, I learned that FRC's noise on the immigration bill, S. 424, is having a considerable impact. After your calls and emails started pouring in, one leader told me the legislation, which would give a special resident status to same-sex partners, had become an embarrassing "spectacle." Although the bill is still active, finding support for it will be even tougher now that FRC has shined the light on its real objective: undermining marriage. If you haven't contacted your senators, please chime in this week and urge them to vote "no" on the "Uniting American Families Act."
Obamas moral test on the most pressing civil rights issue of our age
Posted by
UnitedByLove 1066 days ago
(http://www.pamshouseblend.com)
I want to welcome Tanya Domi, a former Captain in the U.S. Army, to the Blend. She served for 15 years, enlisting as a Private and rising to the rank of Captain before leaving the service honorably. She wanted to contribute a guest post on the moral test the President faces on LGBT rights.
I had hopes that we too, the LGBT community would be part of Obama's dream to realize a better country for all of America's citizens. Isn't that what he said during the campaign?
I have been around the block a few times and have always known it would take a gargantuan political effort to overturn DADT, DOMA, pass ENDA-even to get a hate crimes bill passed in the Senate, not to include passing the Uniting American Families Act or ...
I had hopes that we too, the LGBT community would be part of Obama's dream to realize a better country for all of America's citizens. Isn't that what he said during the campaign?
I have been around the block a few times and have always known it would take a gargantuan political effort to overturn DADT, DOMA, pass ENDA-even to get a hate crimes bill passed in the Senate, not to include passing the Uniting American Families Act or ...
God save us from your people
Posted by
UnitedByLove 1067 days ago
(http://jaysays.com)
In fact, Cardinal Bellarmine once taught God’s truth and said: To assert that the earth revolves around the sun is as erroneous as to claim that Jesus was not born of a virgin.
Another example of Christian “truth” was far more horrific. In fact, Christian ministers used to preach that black people didn’t have souls and were cursed, hence the color of their skin. One minister, R. Furman (a Baptist) had this to say: The right of holding slaves is clearly established in the Holy Scriptures, both by precept and example.
The minister is right, there is slavery in the Bible, but does that mean it is God’s truth that we should have slaves? But sometimes, even the ministers disagree as to what God’s truth is:
God gave the savior to the German people. We have faith, deep and unshakeable faith, that he [Hitler] was sent to us by God to save Germany. — Her
Another example of Christian “truth” was far more horrific. In fact, Christian ministers used to preach that black people didn’t have souls and were cursed, hence the color of their skin. One minister, R. Furman (a Baptist) had this to say: The right of holding slaves is clearly established in the Holy Scriptures, both by precept and example.
The minister is right, there is slavery in the Bible, but does that mean it is God’s truth that we should have slaves? But sometimes, even the ministers disagree as to what God’s truth is:
God gave the savior to the German people. We have faith, deep and unshakeable faith, that he [Hitler] was sent to us by God to save Germany. — Her
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 ...
Cracks in DOMA a new era of LGBT equality (Love Exiles)
Posted by
UnitedByLove 1069 days ago
(http://loveexiles.wordpress.com)
So much has been going on in the last few weeks it’s making my head spin. June 3 Lin and I were in Washington for the historic Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the Uniting American Families Act, which would give LGBT families like ours access to immigration and end the exile of LGBT Americans.
For 10 years I’ve been hoping, waiting and looking forward to the day that I am a first-class citizen in my own country, just like I am in the Netherlands, my country of exile. That day is starting to dawn, and it’s about time. We are seeing cracks in the vintage Clinton-era 1995 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).
Ironicallly, Bill’s spouse Hillary Clinton blew the first hole in DOMA by...
For 10 years I’ve been hoping, waiting and looking forward to the day that I am a first-class citizen in my own country, just like I am in the Netherlands, my country of exile. That day is starting to dawn, and it’s about time. We are seeing cracks in the vintage Clinton-era 1995 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).
Ironicallly, Bill’s spouse Hillary Clinton blew the first hole in DOMA by...
Will Obama Keep His Promises to the LGBT Community?
Posted by
UnitedByLove 1071 days ago
(http://lesbianlife.about.com)
At first I was trying to give President Obama some space. As other gay activists grew impatient about his non-action on issues like "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" , Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and employment non-discrimination I wasn't too worried. After all, the President has some pretty big issues to deal with right now: the failing auto industry, health care reform, an economic crisis and two wars. Gay and lesbian issues can wait, right?
But as more time goes by, I'm starting to feel like a sucker. Remember the "Change we Can Believe In" signs? I did believe. I believed this one was going to be different from all those others. I heard him promise the gay community that he would repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and allow gay men and lesbians to serve openly in the military. I heard him promise to repeal the DOMA. I heard him talk about enacting hate crime legislation and the pe
But as more time goes by, I'm starting to feel like a sucker. Remember the "Change we Can Believe In" signs? I did believe. I believed this one was going to be different from all those others. I heard him promise the gay community that he would repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and allow gay men and lesbians to serve openly in the military. I heard him promise to repeal the DOMA. I heard him talk about enacting hate crime legislation and the pe
On Social Issues WaPo Says Obama Displays Centrist Instincts
Posted by
UnitedByLove 1071 days ago
(http://newsbusters.org)
Scott Wilson’s story displayed the usual double standard, calling the religious right "conservative" and describing the gay left with no ideological label at all. Is this really a cultural clash between the conservatives and the supposedly non-ideological sexual revolutionaries? Worse yet, Wilson suggested Barack Obama’s been displaying "centrist instincts" on the social issues:
"Ironically, Mr. Obama has pursued an aggressive pro-homosexual agenda -- but his actions to date are, apparently, insufficient for the radical homosexuals pushing their extreme demands," Tony Perkins, the group's president, said in the statement. "...However, beyond the potential legal violations, it's troubling that the President would act in response to homosexual groups which are threatening to withdraw from an upcoming fundraiser."
At least Perkins described the gay activists as "r
"Ironically, Mr. Obama has pursued an aggressive pro-homosexual agenda -- but his actions to date are, apparently, insufficient for the radical homosexuals pushing their extreme demands," Tony Perkins, the group's president, said in the statement. "...However, beyond the potential legal violations, it's troubling that the President would act in response to homosexual groups which are threatening to withdraw from an upcoming fundraiser."
At least Perkins described the gay activists as "r
United by Love divided by Law Please call congress Week 1
Posted by
UnitedByLove 1071 days ago
(http://fairunion.blogspot.com)
Today is the first day of what I hope will be our weekly
‘Call Congress’ days. In addition to coordinated e-mails,
faxes, and letters to the members we are targeting, 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 targeted that still have not signed on, to remind them how
important this is to us and that we’re not going away.
‘Call Congress’ days. In addition to coordinated e-mails,
faxes, and letters to the members we are targeting, 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 targeted that still have not signed on, to remind them how
important this is to us and that we’re not going away.
Obama and gay rights (Trailer Park Paradise)
Posted by
UnitedByLove 1072 days ago
(http://trailerparkparadise.blogspot.com)
Sign the Uniting American Families Act, a bill that would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate discrimination in immigration laws by permitting same-sex partners of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents to ...Now, those of you who know me know that I support darn near everything on the cover of that magazine. But I have a question for homosexuals:
Did y'all really believe him? REALLY? You thought this guy was going to put GLBT issues at the forefront of his presidency? That a man who said, OFTEN, that he was against gay marriage was going to work to repeal DoMA?
All you're going to get is excuses. And talk.Really, given that this is a man who is apparently a-OK with the pathetic excuse for an election in Iran, homosexuals have no reason to hope. When the dude's OK with people being beaten, the foreign press being confined to their hotel
Did y'all really believe him? REALLY? You thought this guy was going to put GLBT issues at the forefront of his presidency? That a man who said, OFTEN, that he was against gay marriage was going to work to repeal DoMA?
All you're going to get is excuses. And talk.Really, given that this is a man who is apparently a-OK with the pathetic excuse for an election in Iran, homosexuals have no reason to hope. When the dude's OK with people being beaten, the foreign press being confined to their hotel
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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.