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No action on DADT. No action on DOMA. No action on ENDA. No action on immigration equality for separated families. No action on adoption rights.

Rahm Emanuel and Barack Obama draw the wrong lessons about where progressives LBGTs will go in 2010. It’s not that we’ll vote for the talibangelical GOP. After all, we’re not total idiots. We know those people would just as soon Ugandize our asses as look at us.

The danger is that we will stay at home. And we’ll stay at home not just on Election Day, but on every phone-banking, neighborhood-walking, vote-by-mailing, voter-IDing, precinct-organizing, campaign-blogging day before that. That’s a lot of wo/manpower to run a mid-term campaign without.

Moreover: We are the opinion leaders in our small communities. We are the folks our less engaged friends look to for guidance. Most people don’t pay attention
More than the Uniting American Families Act or any proposed legalization for 11.8 million undocumented immigrants, a plan to control future...
In all the LGBT community dialogue in which I participate and observe, immigration reform is never one of the "big" issues at the federal level. Usually those most talked about include hate crimes, ENDA, DOMA, DADT, and HIV/AIDS policy.
Why is that? I think it's because with the exception of HIV/AIDS, all of those policies specifically discriminate against LGBT people. Federal employment non-discrimination laws, for example, protect lots of categories of people- race, religion, sex, and so forth. Sexual orientation and gender identity are specifically excluded, so this is an "LGBT" issue.

Contrast that with immigration reform. After the Uniting American Families Act provision wasn't included in the bill as introduced (which would allow same-sex binational couples to have the same access to immigration benefits that heterosexual couples do), I can't tell you how many p
There are 36,000 bi-national same-sex couples living in the US, nearly half of them with children.

Contrary to a popular misconceptions, state-level same sex marriage offers no avenue for citizens to petition for residency for their non-citizens same sex partners. It is the jusidiction of Federal Government that doesn't, and likely won't anytime soon, recognize same sex relationships.

A remedy may be in the works, but the GLBT community and supporters must seize this moment to tell congress people now is the time to respect our families.

There is an expedited form to send to your local rep urging them to include GLBT immigration equality into the reform package. It took me 3 minutes to fill out, please do so here. You can send their form letter, or (better) customize your own.

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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.
Why cant bi-nationals stay in the United States legally until we pass the Uniting American Families Act, is there a difference. I find it amazing how living in the Un-Untied States of America the super power of the world with huge weapon capability and a fast computer know how, I find it extremely strange that the arm forces are so scared of homosexuality Strange.

I always thought that National Equality is just what it means; it appears that the Ununited States of America appears to have a schizophrenic attitude, I was reading a blog one day and it said that that all the politicians goes to different parties to raise money and put people in different positions just to peas different groups. But when gay people who are united with each other, which supports each other and ask for there rights yes there human rights are ignored. However that being said we do thank you for p
A groundswell of support for the National Equality March, set for October 10 and 11 in Washington D.C., is building as the date approaches. Towleroad can exclusively reveal a list from Equality Across America of 140 prominent LGBT figures and allies who have put their names and endorsements behind the National Equality March, which seeks equal protection in all matters governed by law in all 50 states.

The new list consists of a broad range of LGBT strategists and visionaries, media figures, entertainment industry notables, elected officials, and HIV/AIDS and community activists, from across the country....
The photo at the left is the person I LOVE, my #1, from the Republic of Belarus. We are a family unit.

But my country, the United States of America, forces me to either exile myself, end my relationship with him, or live in the United States without him. Why? Is this surprising to you? For 5 years we've lived apart - 5,000 miles away from each other. Will you please continue reading my message?

Love is the universal attractive force that knows no boundaries. Love goes beyond what we call sacred. I happen to believe that the force of Love alone is proof of the existence of a Creator. Because how could such a beautiful and perfect feeling just happen? Americans fall ...
The universal response when I first told people that NOI was gathering LGBT and immigration bloggers/organizations together was: "Why?"

I have to admit, it was a little bit of a crazy idea. But the idea behind it was to bring together two communities facing both national and state legislative fights that can't win on their own. If the LGBT community continues to just talk to "their own," and if the immigration reform community does the same, neither will win progressive legislative change. However, we thought that if bloggers, organizations, and "movement thinkers" could get in the same room together across those two issues -- especially when the Uniting American Families Act so uniquely ties the two communities' destinies -- good things might happen.

And good things did happen. There were good, honest conversations about...

The California Assembly Judiciary Committee will be hearing testimony on AJR 15, a California resolution to support the federal Uniting American Families Act (UAFA).
The resolution, introduced by Assembly Member Kevin de León (D-Los Angeles) and co-sponsored by Equality California (EQCA) and Asian Americans for Civil Rights and Equality (AACRE), formally requests that the US Congress pass and that President Barack Obama sign the Uniting American Families Act. Under current federal law, American citizens are permitted to sponsor an opposite-sex spouse. LGBT partners do not have the same right and are specifically excluded even if married under State law, sue to the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA which defines marriage as between a man and a woman only. The UAFA would extend this basic right to committed same-sex couples, who can prove they are in a committed relationship.
This year we have seen unprecedented movement on LGBT issues in the 111th Congress with long overdue legislation pending in both the Senate and House of Representatives. Today, more than ever before, federal bills provide an opportunity to improve the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people nationwide. From the Uniting American Families Act to the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act to the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, NCLR is working to ensure that all members of the LGBT community will be included in federal protections.

But it will take all of us to pass this legislation. We need to hold their feet to the fire, and it will require our entire community to engage with our federal elected officials in order to see change in Congress. Right now, we have the potential to see these three bills reach President Obama’s desk, and he has committ
...will be hearing testimony on AJR 15, a California resolution to support the federal Uniting American Families Act (UAFA).The resolution...
Congratulations to Out4Immigration founding board member Amos Lim! Amos has been named this week's Community Hero by Energy 92.7FM and AT&T in San Francisco for his work as a leading activist for equal immigration rights in the US with Out4Immigration....

Amos Lim is a community hero is every sense of the term. He demonstrates what it means to believe that there is a wrong to be righted and to take action in an area where few others have been brave enough to go. Thank you Amos, from everyone at Out4Immigration. You have always been our hero, and we are happy to share you with the rest of the community!...
Immigration Equality is seeking a dynamic, committed individual for a fall, spring, and/or summer internship in our new Washington, DC office to work to promote equal immigration rights for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and HIV-positive communities.


The Immigration Equality Public Policy Intern carries out public policy research to help pass the Uniting American Families Act, a bill that would allow gay and lesbian Americans couples to sponsor their foreign-born permanent partners for immigration. The Public Policy Intern researches Congressional comprehensive immigration reform initiatives as well as LGBT initiatives to help develop effective strategies for winning rights for LGBT families. The Public Policy Intern also assists with background research to help develop and implement regulations beneficial to LGBT and HIV-positive immigrants, including in
Immigration Equality ~ Policy Associate

Position Location: Washington, DC

Immigration Equality seeks a dynamic, motivated individual with outstanding lobbying and communications skills to build support for equal immigration rights on Capitol Hill and with key stakeholders. The Policy Associate will play a major role in campaigning for passage of pro-LGBT immigration legislation.

The Policy Associate will work with the Policy Director to build support for the Uniting American Families Act (S. 424 / H.R. 1024) and the Reuniting Families Act (H.R. 2079), which will allow gays and lesbians to sponsor their foreign-born permanent partners for immigration. The Policy Associate will also advocate for passage of comprehensive immigration reform and inclusion of LGBT families in comprehensive immigration reform. Job Responsibilities:

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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.