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.
ExileComingHome | Submitted 
Love Without Borders Or Papers
Posted by
ExileComingHome 705 days ago
(http://www.ipsnews.net)
No Repeal of DOMA Expected Until 2011 (If Then)
Posted by
ExileComingHome 879 days ago
(http://www.edgeboston.com)
As a presidential candidate, Barack Obama did not support marriage equality, but he did support the repeal of the so-called "Defense of Marriage" Act (DOMA), a 1996 law that bans any federal recognition of gay and lesbian families and allows states to deny marriage rights even to same-sex couples who have been legally wed in their home states. Obama also spoke of supporting some sort of legal provision to allow same-sex families access to civil unions on a national level.
Pro-family parity lawmakers have a bill that would strike down DOMA. They call it the Respect for Marriage Act; if passed into law, the bill would protect marriage--all marriages, that is--by granting federal-level recognition to families, gay or straight, who had been married in any jurisdiction.
Some family equality advocates do not support the bill because it applies only to married couple
Pro-family parity lawmakers have a bill that would strike down DOMA. They call it the Respect for Marriage Act; if passed into law, the bill would protect marriage--all marriages, that is--by granting federal-level recognition to families, gay or straight, who had been married in any jurisdiction.
Some family equality advocates do not support the bill because it applies only to married couple
Gay Rights President Forgetting the Lessons of the Campaign
Posted by
ExileComingHome 931 days ago
(http://www.huffingtonpost.com)
How does Obama the President compare to Obama the candidate on gay rights? It's no secret that GLBT advocates have expressed disappointment and frustration with decisions by the White House to avoid pressing for gay rights during the first year of the administration. No executive order to halt the discharges of gay troops; no bold leadership on passing non-discrimination legislation; no mention of a ballot initiative in Maine to reverse marriage equality that might have made a real difference in the loss there Tuesday. We helped elect him with our votes, money, and time because we were promised change. But in our lives as GLBT people, that's not what's being delivered.
And now we're in a pickle. Most are...
And now we're in a pickle. Most are...
(EXCLUSIVE) Bloomberg Puts Gay Marriage Chances This Year at Zero
Posted by
ExileComingHome 971 days ago
(http://www.chelseanow.com)
Even as he put the chances of moving a gay marriage bill in Albany this fall at “zero, zero,” Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg argued that he has the political clout to win support from key New York Republican state senators, including two from the city who are vociferous in their opposition.
As early as 2005, the mayor pledged to lobby the Legislature to enact marriage equality legislation passed twice since then by the State Assembly and actively pushed by Governor David A. Paterson. In a series of high profile appearances this year, Bloomberg has reiterated that commitment.
As early as 2005, the mayor pledged to lobby the Legislature to enact marriage equality legislation passed twice since then by the State Assembly and actively pushed by Governor David A. Paterson. In a series of high profile appearances this year, Bloomberg has reiterated that commitment.
Are You Happy (March on Washington)
Posted by
ExileComingHome 971 days ago
(http://www.windycitymediagroup.com)
Many things have been written on whether one should march or not march Oct. 11 in Washington, D.C. Let me make it easy for you.
Are you really happy with the progress we have made over the last eight months with this Administration and Congress? Are you really happy with the progress we have made on the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and Defense of Marriage Act ( DOMA ) ? Do you think that the leaders of our political parties have embraced marriage equality and our God given rights, benefits and protections that come with it? Are you content, relaxed and happy with where we are at this moment in history in the struggle for freedom?
Are you really happy with the progress we have made over the last eight months with this Administration and Congress? Are you really happy with the progress we have made on the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and Defense of Marriage Act ( DOMA ) ? Do you think that the leaders of our political parties have embraced marriage equality and our God given rights, benefits and protections that come with it? Are you content, relaxed and happy with where we are at this moment in history in the struggle for freedom?
At a recent chapter meeting the Flat Rock/Hendersonville PFLAG (Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) decided to speak out for marriage equality for all people. There are over 1,100 rights, benefits and responsibilities conferred on married couples by the federal government including access to health care, parenting and immigration rights, social security, veterans and survivor benefits, and transfer of property -- and that doesn't include state and local law, and employers, or the intangible security, dignity, and meaning that comes with marriage.
These federal rights are denied gays and lesbians who are in committed relationships.
Ending the exclusion of gay people from marriage would not change the "definition" of marriage, but it would remove a discriminatory barrier from the path of people who have made a personal commitment to each other and
These federal rights are denied gays and lesbians who are in committed relationships.
Ending the exclusion of gay people from marriage would not change the "definition" of marriage, but it would remove a discriminatory barrier from the path of people who have made a personal commitment to each other and
The State of the Same Sex Union Part Two in a Three Part Series
Posted by
ExileComingHome 1039 days ago
(http://writ.news.findlaw.com)
The Points on the Sliding Scale: Marriage, Civil Unions, Domestic Partnerships, Etc.
In these six states with full marriage rights, there are no state-level distinctions between same-sex and different-sex married couples. Marriage has simply been opened to include same-sex couples.
Because of the federal law known as DOMA (we will have more to say about this law in Part III), however, validly celebrated same-sex marriages will not be recognized for any federal law purpose such as tax status, immigration, Social Security, etc. (This state/federal split leads to sometimes odd conundrums such as the need to create "dummy" federal tax returns to include with state tax returns that permit joint-filing status for same-sex spouses.) But within the state in which the marriage was celebrated, a spouse is a spouse, regardless of sex.
In these six states with full marriage rights, there are no state-level distinctions between same-sex and different-sex married couples. Marriage has simply been opened to include same-sex couples.
Because of the federal law known as DOMA (we will have more to say about this law in Part III), however, validly celebrated same-sex marriages will not be recognized for any federal law purpose such as tax status, immigration, Social Security, etc. (This state/federal split leads to sometimes odd conundrums such as the need to create "dummy" federal tax returns to include with state tax returns that permit joint-filing status for same-sex spouses.) But within the state in which the marriage was celebrated, a spouse is a spouse, regardless of sex.
My heart breaks for my brother
Posted by
ExileComingHome 1049 days ago
(http://www.dailykos.com)
My brother, a 26 year old American, accomplished poet, adjunct professor at a local community college, and all around amazing person, is going to say goodbye forever to the love of his life next week. Why? Because my brother is in a same-sex relationship in a country whose policies are hostile to equality for LGBT individuals.
Mitch Mcconnell Calls for Equality for All Americans
Posted by
ExileComingHome 1049 days ago
(http://www.dailykos.com)
U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell, on the floor of the U.S. Senate, called for equality for all Americans. Seriously! It's true!
I'm so excited that the GOP leadership has finally come to their senses and are fighting for equality for all Americans. All groups. All individuals.
Does this mean that he will co-sponsor the repeal of DADT?
Will Mr. McConnell be my fierce advocate when it comes to marriage equality and lead the effort to repeal DOMA?
Will he be fighting for my rights to benefit equally from the financial benefits that are afforded married couples?
Will I be allowed to equally utilize immigration laws to my family's benefit?
Will I be able to stop paying taxes on my partner's health benefits?
Will I be able to equally utilize the inheritance laws, real estate capital gains exclusions, have adoption rights?
I'm so excited that the GOP leadership has finally come to their senses and are fighting for equality for all Americans. All groups. All individuals.
Does this mean that he will co-sponsor the repeal of DADT?
Will Mr. McConnell be my fierce advocate when it comes to marriage equality and lead the effort to repeal DOMA?
Will he be fighting for my rights to benefit equally from the financial benefits that are afforded married couples?
Will I be allowed to equally utilize immigration laws to my family's benefit?
Will I be able to stop paying taxes on my partner's health benefits?
Will I be able to equally utilize the inheritance laws, real estate capital gains exclusions, have adoption rights?
National Education Association Takes Strong Stand on Equality
Posted by
ExileComingHome 1053 days ago
(http://www.tips-q.com)
The National Education Association (NEA), is the nation's largest professional employee organization with over 3.2 million members. Members work at every level of education-from pre-school to university graduate programs. At their national conference this weekend, they adopted a strongly worded resolution on sexual equality. Undoubtedly, this will get the fundamentalists fired up.
1. NEA will support its affiliates seeking to enact state legislation that guarantees to same-sex couples the right to enter into a legally recognized relationship pursuant to which they have the same rights and benefits as similarly-situated heterosexual couples, including, without limitation, rights and benefits with regard to medical decisions, taxes, inheritance, adoption, and immigration....
1. NEA will support its affiliates seeking to enact state legislation that guarantees to same-sex couples the right to enter into a legally recognized relationship pursuant to which they have the same rights and benefits as similarly-situated heterosexual couples, including, without limitation, rights and benefits with regard to medical decisions, taxes, inheritance, adoption, and immigration....
Stonewalls Unfinished Revolution Why We Need to move beyond Gay Pride
Posted by
ExileComingHome 1056 days ago
(http://www.campkc.com)
We have come so far, but we’re still second-class citizens.
The Defense of Marriage Act, “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and immigration inequalities are just some of the laws that punish our families, hurt our children and impoverish us. We don’t know yet whether...
The Defense of Marriage Act, “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and immigration inequalities are just some of the laws that punish our families, hurt our children and impoverish us. We don’t know yet whether...
It’s not as if gaining marriage equality in California makes everything equal for same-sex couples. We’ve still got DOMA—the Defense of Marriage Act—to contend with, and that’s a big problem. Our agenda is to repeal DOMA. So basically, while Courage Campaign and Marriage Equality USA are focusing here in California on repealing [Proposition] 8, our agenda is about repealing DOMA at the federal level.
I think that most same-sex couples don’t recognize how serious the effects of DOMA are until they become married, and then all of a sudden, it’s real. What we’ve found, over the last seven months, is that ...
I think that most same-sex couples don’t recognize how serious the effects of DOMA are until they become married, and then all of a sudden, it’s real. What we’ve found, over the last seven months, is that ...
Principles and Pragmatism
Posted by
ExileComingHome 1057 days ago
(http://www.metroweekly.com)
IT IS SOMETIMES DONE with baby steps, other times with great leaps, and every so often it's done in circles. Still, advocates and enemies alike would have a difficult time denying that modern history has seen the GLBT community moving steadily in the direction of full equality.
The value of a particular step may, however, be difficult to gauge at the time. Some who remember the Stonewall Riots say they didn't regard the moment as historic. Then again, those masses at the 2000 Millennium March on Washington may have thought they were heralding in a new gay millennium. Maybe they were. Time will judge.
Time will also judge the Dallas Principles, a core set of beliefs crafted in...
The value of a particular step may, however, be difficult to gauge at the time. Some who remember the Stonewall Riots say they didn't regard the moment as historic. Then again, those masses at the 2000 Millennium March on Washington may have thought they were heralding in a new gay millennium. Maybe they were. Time will judge.
Time will also judge the Dallas Principles, a core set of beliefs crafted in...
How do you Stand on the Side of Love? (Lake County Record-Bee)
Posted by
ExileComingHome 1059 days ago
(http://news.google.com)
A gathering assembled Wednesday, June 24, to observe the opening plenary session of the Unitarian Universalist (UU) General Assembly, taking place hundreds of miles away in Salt Lake City, Utah. Enthusiastic cheers responded to the announcement of a new public advocacy campaign that urges everyone, not just UUs, to "Stand on the Side of Love" and promote everyone's worth and dignity. Learn about this fledgling campaign at www.standingonthesideoflove.org/.
Marriage equality is among the new campaign's most immediately visible platforms. Subsequent posts via Twitter and Facebook have also promoted advocacy for "family-friendly" immigration policies.
Marriage equality is among the new campaign's most immediately visible platforms. Subsequent posts via Twitter and Facebook have also promoted advocacy for "family-friendly" immigration policies.
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Executive Director Rea Carey hand-delivered a binder containing messages from nearly 700 supporters of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights to President Obama at the White House's Pride Month reception on June 29.
Late last week, the Task Force solicited the feedback from community members, asking: "What would you say to the president if you had the opportunity?" Many of the responses presented by Carey to the president spotlighted people's stories of discrimination and hopes for equality. Marriage equality, family recognition, nondiscrimination protections, immigration, health care reform, hate crimes and abolishing the military ban were common themes; while the topics were over-arching, the stories were unique and personal.
Late last week, the Task Force solicited the feedback from community members, asking: "What would you say to the president if you had the opportunity?" Many of the responses presented by Carey to the president spotlighted people's stories of discrimination and hopes for equality. Marriage equality, family recognition, nondiscrimination protections, immigration, health care reform, hate crimes and abolishing the military ban were common themes; while the topics were over-arching, the stories were unique and personal.
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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.