"U.S. immigration law prioritizes family unity. Marrying a citizen is still the most common way to get residency, and everyone knows there are more than a few scam marriages squeaking through. Yet for gays, it's a very different story. Since federal law only recognizes marriages between men and women, gay partners are left with no way to sponsor each other to stay in the country.
"Now that Arizona's 'papers please' law has pushed immigration reform to Washington's front burner, Democrats propose allowing 'permanent partners' to be treated the same as spouses under immigration law. While 19 countries have similar policies, it won't be an easy sell: The gay lobby fears they'll be sacrificed as a bargaining chip to get Republicans on board, while pro-immigrant groups worry that adding in gays will ruin any chance for reform for everyone else.
"While critics say le
BinationalHope | Published 
Worlds apart (Freedom to Marry)
Posted by
BinationalHope 705 days ago
(http://www.freedomtomarry.org)
The Moment to be Heard and Included Is Here
Posted by
BinationalHope 798 days ago
(http://www.pamshouseblend.com)
Just a few weeks ago, the likelihood of Congress and the White House tackling comprehensive immigration reform seemed to be in question. Following the defeat of a Democratic candidate in the Massachusetts Senate election, and growing doubts about a successful healthcare reform effort in both chambers, the prospects for a truly comprehensive reform effort that would fix our country's broken immigration system was called into question by many.
Now, however, there is renewed energy and focus on the issue. And that, in turn, must be a wake-up call, and a rallying cry, for the LGBT community, too.
Now, however, there is renewed energy and focus on the issue. And that, in turn, must be a wake-up call, and a rallying cry, for the LGBT community, too.
FIRM Calls For LGBT Inclusion In Immigration Reform
Posted by
BinationalHope 798 days ago
(http://www.communitychange.org)
We are moved by stories of bi-national couples who are fighting to keep their families together amidst a broken immigration system. Thousands of bi-national couples who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) are at risk of separation. With no clear pathway towards legalization nor federal recognition of same-sex couples, these couples live constantly in a state of fear or exile.
We believe that keeping families together should be an integral part of comprehensive immigration reform. We believe that we strengthen our communities and our nation when we support the right of all families to stay together, including LGBT families.
This is why we support the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA). UAFA would add the term “permanent partner” to those sections of the Immigration and Naturalization Act that apply to legally married couples. Under UAF
We believe that keeping families together should be an integral part of comprehensive immigration reform. We believe that we strengthen our communities and our nation when we support the right of all families to stay together, including LGBT families.
This is why we support the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA). UAFA would add the term “permanent partner” to those sections of the Immigration and Naturalization Act that apply to legally married couples. Under UAF
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:
Why more binational couples are coming to Canada
Posted by
BinationalHope 931 days ago
(http://www.xtra.ca)
I walked with purpose, my boots hitting the floor in a tempo that echoed my urgency. My mouth was dry and anxiety had sunk into the creases on my face. My family walked behind me, no one daring to talk in case my composure collapsed. I knew where to go and what to do. In my hand — now sweaty — I gripped an unassuming brown envelope that carried my family’s future in it. Our Canadian immigration papers.
It was just after midnight in early March 2007. We were walking down a wide hallway from the plane into Toronto’s Pearson International Airport, towards a glass window with signs directing new immigrants inside. We entered the room and went to the last counter that was open, handed our papers over to a small woman who, in a matter of fact way, stamped our papers, took our photographs and confirmed our permanent resident status before shuffling us toward customs. Like it was..
It was just after midnight in early March 2007. We were walking down a wide hallway from the plane into Toronto’s Pearson International Airport, towards a glass window with signs directing new immigrants inside. We entered the room and went to the last counter that was open, handed our papers over to a small woman who, in a matter of fact way, stamped our papers, took our photographs and confirmed our permanent resident status before shuffling us toward customs. Like it was..
Comprehensive Immigration Reform (The Petition Site)
Posted by
BinationalHope 1004 days ago
(http://www.thepetitionsite.com)
Senator Schumer is writing the comprehensive immigration reform bill NOW.
It is critical that this legislation includes the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) and thus includes LGBT families. The suffering of our families must end! The UAFA will allow American Citizens and green card holders to sponsor their foreign born same-sex partner for permanent residency in the United States.
If you are in New York - be sure to include your address so they know a constituent is weighing in on this - AND send it to any family or friends in NY that would be willing to help.
It is critical that this legislation includes the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) and thus includes LGBT families. The suffering of our families must end! The UAFA will allow American Citizens and green card holders to sponsor their foreign born same-sex partner for permanent residency in the United States.
If you are in New York - be sure to include your address so they know a constituent is weighing in on this - AND send it to any family or friends in NY that would be willing to help.
Did an amazing job of organizing the OUT4I contingent in the Parade. The turn out was amazing and the march a great success. Kathy yelled through her megaphone non stop for the entire slow march down all of Market Street, educating the public as we went by. Shirley and Jay Tan Mercado, the twins and Melanie Nathan were sitting in the 1962 Rolls, kindly donated by a gernerous enthusaist. The Pride organizers and Belinda Ryan were on the job, pulling off difficult manoevres to make our participation such a succes. Kathy is the very talented photographer and credit for these pictures in the post -very kindly provided me with an exclusive for thos BLOG goes to Company, KazzaDrask Media, I am impressed....photos
Out4Immigration Says State Law Still Excludes Gay Couples from 1,138 Federal Marriage Rights, including Immigration
MONTPELIER, VT — April 7, 2008 — The Vermont Legislature voted today to override Gov. Jim Douglas' veto of a bill allowing gays and lesbians to marry. The veto override will allow same-sex couples to marry and enjoy all the state benefits afforded to opposite-sex couples.
Vermont’s governor had argued that the state already had sufficient civil union laws on the books that gave gays and lesbians the same rights as married couples. State lawmakers and their constituents, however, felt that barring gays and lesbians from marriage and limiting them to civil unions was “separate but equal” treatment and not sufficient in maintaining equal rights for all Vermonters.
Vermont now becomes the fourth state to offer full state marriage benefits
MONTPELIER, VT — April 7, 2008 — The Vermont Legislature voted today to override Gov. Jim Douglas' veto of a bill allowing gays and lesbians to marry. The veto override will allow same-sex couples to marry and enjoy all the state benefits afforded to opposite-sex couples.
Vermont’s governor had argued that the state already had sufficient civil union laws on the books that gave gays and lesbians the same rights as married couples. State lawmakers and their constituents, however, felt that barring gays and lesbians from marriage and limiting them to civil unions was “separate but equal” treatment and not sufficient in maintaining equal rights for all Vermonters.
Vermont now becomes the fourth state to offer full state marriage benefits
The city and county of San Francisco has passed a resolution supporting the passage of the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) by Congress. The UAFA would eliminate the barrier that same-sex binational couples now face when a gay or lesbian American tries to sponsor their foreign life partner for a green card and the right to stay together legally in the US. Opposite-sex binational couples have long been afforded such protections under US immigration law.
Amos Lim, a founding board member of Out4Immigration and a San Francisco resident was instrumental in getting this resolution passed, first by the Board of Supervisors and then by the Immigrant Rights Commission. The resolution makes San Francisco the first municipality to call for equal immigration rights for gays and lesbians at the federal level. It is only change at the federal level for any LGBT rights -- including m
Amos Lim, a founding board member of Out4Immigration and a San Francisco resident was instrumental in getting this resolution passed, first by the Board of Supervisors and then by the Immigrant Rights Commission. The resolution makes San Francisco the first municipality to call for equal immigration rights for gays and lesbians at the federal level. It is only change at the federal level for any LGBT rights -- including m
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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.