The Filipina half of this lesbian couple is about to be deported back to Manila, is testifying before a senate hearing on the Uniting American Families Act, and her 12 year-old son understandably breaks into tears. And Senator Jeff Sessions of Alabama is heard saying, "Enough with the histrionics." It's not on video, but her story is worth listening to all the way through.
UnitedByLove | Published 
On splitting up binational gay families
Posted by
UnitedByLove 1085 days ago
(http://jonithbjiggins.blogspot.com)
Gays Defend Marriage Insulting American Families
Posted by
UnitedByLove 1086 days ago
(http://www.gaysdefendmarriage.com)
Once again, the opposition to enshrining same-sex relationships in American law has shown itself to be utterly tone-deaf. According to Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council, there is no reason for Congress to carve out an exception to the immigration rule to accommodate these “partnerships.” In my written testimony, which was submitted today to the Judiciary Committee, I reiterated the fact that “families” are legally recognized by blood, marriage, or adoption. In other words, these same-sex “partnerships” don’t constitute “family” relationships. "
Arguing in favor of privileged male-female relationships (which I do here all the time) does not require alienating millions of common-sense readers and voters who know that two gay guys and a cat (or whatever) are, indeed, a family. Even if he believes a couple of lesbians and their baby are not a family, he’s only making
Arguing in favor of privileged male-female relationships (which I do here all the time) does not require alienating millions of common-sense readers and voters who know that two gay guys and a cat (or whatever) are, indeed, a family. Even if he believes a couple of lesbians and their baby are not a family, he’s only making
Spouse or country? (Waldo Lydecker Journal)
Posted by
UnitedByLove 1087 days ago
(http://waldolydeckersjournal.blogspot.com)
Underlines another of the myriad ways marriage inequality ripples through the fabric of life in ways straight people who take their privileged status for granted never recognize:
Sully forgot to mention Bruce Bawer, a ferociously intelligent, conservative, writer who decamped to Norway. The question of the evening for the big swinging bloggers of the SC right: how do we benefit from this sort of restriction? Any takers? Earl? Mr Donehue? Anaconda? Scoopy? Miss Cassidy? Surely ONE of you can stand up for one of the mainstays of your party's reason for being.
Sully forgot to mention Bruce Bawer, a ferociously intelligent, conservative, writer who decamped to Norway. The question of the evening for the big swinging bloggers of the SC right: how do we benefit from this sort of restriction? Any takers? Earl? Mr Donehue? Anaconda? Scoopy? Miss Cassidy? Surely ONE of you can stand up for one of the mainstays of your party's reason for being.
Legislation Is Needed To Bring U.S. In-Line With Other Democracies
WASHINGTON - June 2 - The Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing tomorrow on a bill that modifies U.S. immigration law to provide equal protection to same-sex life partners of citizens and permanent legal residents. As part of the hearing, entitled "The United American Families Act: Addressing Inequality in Federal Immigration Law," the American Civil Liberties Union sent a letter to lawmakers urging the Committee to pass S. 424, "Uniting American Families Act."
WASHINGTON - June 2 - The Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing tomorrow on a bill that modifies U.S. immigration law to provide equal protection to same-sex life partners of citizens and permanent legal residents. As part of the hearing, entitled "The United American Families Act: Addressing Inequality in Federal Immigration Law," the American Civil Liberties Union sent a letter to lawmakers urging the Committee to pass S. 424, "Uniting American Families Act."
Task Force Action Fund urges for passage of Uniting American Families Act
Posted by
UnitedByLove 1087 days ago
(http://www.thetaskforce.org)
WASHINGTON, June 2 — The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund has submitted testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee urging for the passage of the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA), which would grant binational same-sex couples equal treatment under immigration laws. The committee has scheduled a hearing on the measure tomorrow. Statement by Rea Carey, Executive Director National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund
Read the Task Force Action Fund full testimony.
Read the Task Force Action Fund full testimony.
How Dick Cheney Is a Better Marriage Equality Advocate Than Barack Obama
Posted by
UnitedByLove 1088 days ago
(http://www.queerty.com)
Therefore for same sex bi-national couples the passing of Uniting American Families Act or repeal of DOMA would bring us immigration equality for our foreign born partners.
So, what, former Vice President Dick Cheney is for gay marriage now? Actuall yes, but that's not news. Speaking at the National Press Club today, Cheney responded to a question about gay marriage, and said he wants same-sex unions to be decided at a state-by-state level, just as things are happening now, and not with the federal government deciding who gets to wed.
It should be assumed that Cheney's position stems at least in part from having a gay daughter, Mary.
But just because Cheney just made so explicit his stance on gay marriage doesn't mean we're actually hearing anything new. Cheney split from his boss George W. Bush when the then-president supported a constitutional amendme
So, what, former Vice President Dick Cheney is for gay marriage now? Actuall yes, but that's not news. Speaking at the National Press Club today, Cheney responded to a question about gay marriage, and said he wants same-sex unions to be decided at a state-by-state level, just as things are happening now, and not with the federal government deciding who gets to wed.
It should be assumed that Cheney's position stems at least in part from having a gay daughter, Mary.
But just because Cheney just made so explicit his stance on gay marriage doesn't mean we're actually hearing anything new. Cheney split from his boss George W. Bush when the then-president supported a constitutional amendme
About being in Reston, VA, so close to the HILL… Capitol Hill, D.C. It is as if I feel the political energy, almost like a different air to breathe, one that requires aclimation- that said, I want to thank everyone who sent me emails and the Tan Mercado family cards, notes, emails of encouragement and support. That inckudesthose of you on facebook, twitter, blogs, etc. I will keep you all posted. It means a great deal to me. Melanie Nathan
Justice for LGBT Immigrants
Posted by
UnitedByLove 1090 days ago
(http://latinolikeme.wordpress.com)
“The Uniting American Families Act” isn’t a special piece of legislation when it comes to immigration. It works within existing laws, extending mechanisms of proof of relationship for same-sex partners as well as the same penalties for lying about their relationship. In short, it doesn’t really “rock the immigration boat.” But the bill isn’t intended to address the lack of a humane and just immigration system.
Webcast Uniting American Families Act Hearing
Posted by
UnitedByLove 1090 days ago
(http://www.usimmigrationwoes.com)
The Senate Committee on the Judiciary has scheduled a hearing on “The Uniting American Families Act: Addressing Inequality in Federal Immigration Law” for Wednesday, June 3, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. in Room 226 of the Senate Dirksen Office ...
Senate considers Passport to Same Sex Marriage
Posted by
UnitedByLove 1091 days ago
(http://vcyhomefront.blogspot.com)
The Family Research Council in Washington is alerting the public regarding Senate Bill 424 introduced in Washington DC. Although this bill is called the “Uniting American Families Act of 2009”, FRC says this Bill is actually an attack upon marriage at the expense of U.S. taxpayers stating it is part of the movement to give same-sex partners special privileges. Senate Bill 424 will allow any gay or lesbian foreigner who declares themselves to be a permanent partner of an American to immigrate to the U.S. on the same basis as foreign spouses. And, like a married couple, these homosexuals would be eligible for “permanent resident status” under the current immigration law. The United States Senate Judiciary Committee will take up Senate Bill 424 at their Committee Meeting Wednesday, June 3rd at 10am. Both Wisconsin Senators Herb Kohl and Russ Feingold are members of this committee. You
A Tale of Two Settees Oh dear
Posted by
UnitedByLove 1093 days ago
(http://juanoclock.livejournal.com)
Oh, but for now I am simply tired. Not hopeless, though. I'm happy to see the movement has become more galvanized. More and more people I talk to are supportive of marriage equality. Meanwhile, there is the Uniting American Families Act hearing in the Congress on June 3, and the lawsuit against DOMA around June 29. These give me hope, too. Before, I thought we'd have to give straight people an incentive for supporting gay marriage in light of other crises. Today, I think most gay allies are simply embarrassed that they must be associated with backward thinking.
First Reactions To Calif Gay Marriage Decision
Posted by
UnitedByLove 1094 days ago
(http://www.ontopmag.com)
“It's disheartening to see a core constitutional principle set aside by simple majority vote, particularly in our nation's most populous state,” New York Representative Jerrold Nadler, a Democrat, who is sponsoring the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA), a bill that would grant gay and lesbian spouses the right to sponsor an immigrant for U.S. citizenship, said in a statement. “I, however, applaud the California Supreme Court for wisely recognizing the legality and legitimacy of the 18,000 same-sex marriages carried out in California before that right was so unjustly taken away.”
Even Nephew of Harvey Milk Knows What Happens With Inaction Nothing
Posted by
UnitedByLove 1094 days ago
(http://www.queerty.com)
Never is the message of Harvey Milk more necessary than a day like today. The civil rights champion's nephew Stuart spoke at Gay Day in Great America on Harvey's birthday Friday. Like his uncle, Stuart warns what happens when we sit around and wait: "We must remind our current President Barack Obama … to fulfill his campaign pledges, to repeal Don't Ask Don't Tell … to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act … to pass the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act" because while we twiddle our thumbs, good people who happen to be gay continue to be raped of their civil rights. "You either have full equality or you don't."
Sceth says: I suppose our next big issue is the Uniting American Families Act (Senate Judiciary... » · Larry says: @kevin (not that one): That's a good point… Not only that, but this is a... » Part of Schwarzenegger's Massive Budget ...
Sceth says: I suppose our next big issue is the Uniting American Families Act (Senate Judiciary... » · Larry says: @kevin (not that one): That's a good point… Not only that, but this is a... » Part of Schwarzenegger's Massive Budget ...
Obama Do Not Defend DOMA
Posted by
UnitedByLove 1097 days ago
(http://www.huffingtonpost.com)
Two weeks ago, the Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders (GLAD - the group that brought you gay marriage in Massachusetts) served Obama's administration with a lawsuit that challenges Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act.
And pass the Uniting American Families Act! Reply Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 05:22 AM on 05/21/2009. - + jmpurser I'm a Fan of jmpurser I'm a fan of this user permalink. Well, we'll see. It's easy, clearly the right thing to do, ...
And pass the Uniting American Families Act! Reply Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 05:22 AM on 05/21/2009. - + jmpurser I'm a Fan of jmpurser I'm a fan of this user permalink. Well, we'll see. It's easy, clearly the right thing to do, ...
Would Harvey Milk Be Proud of Us?
Posted by
UnitedByLove 1098 days ago
(http://www.huffingtonpost.com)
Pass The Uniting American Families Act! Will Obama at LEAST fight for Civil Unions? Shortly before he died in 1978, openly gay San Francisco Supervisor Harvey Milk made some extraordinarily prescient audio recordings. On one recording, he famously said, "If a bullet should enter my brain, let it destroy every closet door."Today would have been Harvey's 79th birthday but for Dan White's bullet.
May 22nd, Harvey Milk Day, is a good time to reflect on whether we have heeded his call to live openly and fight hard for true equality. Would Harvey be proud of where we are in 2009? The truth is I think he'd be celebrating on Castro Street some days and marching up the National Mall on others. I think Harvey would be proud of our progress so far, but I'm absolutely sure he wouldn't be satisfied by it. He faced a bullet. We have only to face down our own fears, come out and speak u
May 22nd, Harvey Milk Day, is a good time to reflect on whether we have heeded his call to live openly and fight hard for true equality. Would Harvey be proud of where we are in 2009? The truth is I think he'd be celebrating on Castro Street some days and marching up the National Mall on others. I think Harvey would be proud of our progress so far, but I'm absolutely sure he wouldn't be satisfied by it. He faced a bullet. We have only to face down our own fears, come out and speak u
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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.