This Sunday, Americans in same-sex binational partnerships will gather in the nation’s capital at the Washington Monument to protest a situation that few Americans are aware exists.
They are Americans who suffer human rights violations due to unequal treatment in U.S. law and policy that does not permit them to sponsor their foreign same-sex partners to live with them in the States. Tens of thousands of Americans are in the same heart-breaking predicament: they must choose between continuing their lives in the States or leaving America to live in exile — simply to preserve and protect their primary family relationships.
Vigil participants will carry pictures of themselves with their partners and represent binational families everywhere who are either separated, living in fear of deportation, or exiled in other countries where they are legally recognized as fami
BrenDAL | Published 
Vigil at the Monument
Posted by
BrenDAL 798 days ago
(http://thenewgay.net)
Why the 2010 Census matters to LGBT Americans
Posted by
BrenDAL 798 days ago
(http://www.gaypolitics.com)
You may know that the federal government plans to count everybody in America in this year, but the once-a-decade Census has changed to more accurately count LGBT families in 2010, and that’s a good thing.
GayPolitics sat down with two people deeply involved in making sure the LGBT community understands what has changed and why it’s important that our community participates as fully as possible.
Che Ruddell-Tabisola is the manager for National LGBT Partnerships and coordinator of Our Families Count, a new effort by the U.S. Census Bureau to engage the LGBT community. Bob Witeck is CEO and co-founder of Witeck-Combs Communications. He is serving as media coordinator for Our Families Count and is working with Che to promote the effort nationwide.
GayPolitics sat down with two people deeply involved in making sure the LGBT community understands what has changed and why it’s important that our community participates as fully as possible.
Che Ruddell-Tabisola is the manager for National LGBT Partnerships and coordinator of Our Families Count, a new effort by the U.S. Census Bureau to engage the LGBT community. Bob Witeck is CEO and co-founder of Witeck-Combs Communications. He is serving as media coordinator for Our Families Count and is working with Che to promote the effort nationwide.
LGBT Democratic Club Will Honor NCLR Immigration Project
Posted by
BrenDAL 942 days ago
(http://nclrights.wordpress.com)
The National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) today announced that the Alice B. Toklas LGBT Democratic Club will honor NCLR Immigration Project Director. “Noemi is a fierce advocate for the rights of LGBT immigrants, some of the most invisible members of our community,” said NCLR Executive Director Kate Kendell. “Only a handful of years ago, the U.S. immigration authorities had never granted asylum based on actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. Noemi’s careful and meticulous work on behalf of our clients helped to change that. These victories are some of NCLR’s proudest moments—not only because each asylum case won strengthens sexual orientation and gender identity as protected classes within immigration law—but even more importantly, because they often mean a person’s life has been saved.”
NYC Council Supports Gay Immigration Bill
Posted by
BrenDAL 963 days ago
(http://www.advocate.com)
The New York City Council passed a resolution Wednesday supporting a congressional bill to allow American citizens to sponsor their foreign-born, same-sex partners in the naturalization process.
The resolution on the Uniting American Families Act of 2009 was passed within two weeks of being introduced. Eight people, including Immigration Equality executive director Rachel Tiven, testified to the Immigration Committee on September 29 in favor of the resolution.
The resolution on the Uniting American Families Act of 2009 was passed within two weeks of being introduced. Eight people, including Immigration Equality executive director Rachel Tiven, testified to the Immigration Committee on September 29 in favor of the resolution.
NCLR Rights Immigration Project
Posted by
BrenDAL 1029 days ago
(http://www.docstoc.com)
The National Center for Lesbian Rights
is committedto helping overcome the immigration
hurdles faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgender immigrants. U.S. immigration law
unfairlydiscriminates against lesbian, gay, bisexual,
transgender (LGBT) and people with HIV and/or
AIDS. Since 1994, NCLR’s Immigration Project has
provided free legal assistance to thousands of LGBT
immigrants nationwide.Through our national
intake service, as well as through free monthly
clinics in the San Francisco Bay Area, we help LGBT
immigrants understand visas, asylum claims, and
the HIV exclusion. NCLR also provides direct
representation to LGBT immigrants in impact cases
and individual asylum claims. In addition, NCLR
provides assistance to private attorneys
representing LGBT immigrants in pr
is committedto helping overcome the immigration
hurdles faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgender immigrants. U.S. immigration law
unfairlydiscriminates against lesbian, gay, bisexual,
transgender (LGBT) and people with HIV and/or
AIDS. Since 1994, NCLR’s Immigration Project has
provided free legal assistance to thousands of LGBT
immigrants nationwide.Through our national
intake service, as well as through free monthly
clinics in the San Francisco Bay Area, we help LGBT
immigrants understand visas, asylum claims, and
the HIV exclusion. NCLR also provides direct
representation to LGBT immigrants in impact cases
and individual asylum claims. In addition, NCLR
provides assistance to private attorneys
representing LGBT immigrants in pr
Bill Pits Immigration and Gay Marriage
Posted by
BrenDAL 1078 days ago
(http://www.wiretapmag.org)
he RFA would extend the same immigration and naturalization rights to ... LGBT binational families risk being split apart when their emotional...Despite his intention to include as many couples and families as possible in new immigration legislation, Honda’s advocacy has upset more than a few allies and adversaries. The reintroduced bill – originally proposed in 2007 – has faced the typical critics over the years, including Catholics who favor pro-immigration reform but are against gay marriage. Recently, it has also received some unusual resistance, including concerns from other pro-immigration legislators and activists. Many believe that Honda’s efforts that will crack the already unstable foundation for new immigration policy by conflating the issues, which some argue, have nothing to do with one another. Conservative Democrats are likely to reject immigration legislation with same-s
The Reuniting Families Act (SAALT)
Posted by
BrenDAL 1080 days ago
(http://blog.saalt.org)
Deepa (SAALT’s Executive Director), Priya (SAALT’s Policy Director), and I attended a press conference on Capitol Hill where Congressman Michael Honda introduced the Reuniting Families Act, a bill that advocates hope will become a key component of broader immigration reform in Congress. Leaders from a diverse array of various immigrant and civil rights organizations and faith communities attended the conference to express their support for the bill, including Hilary Shelton from the NAACP, Karen Narasaki from the Asian American Justice Center (AAJC), Rachel Tiven from Immigration Equality, Lizette Olmos from the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) , and many others. Many members of Congress also appeared and spoke in support of this bill.
Personally, as an intern observing the briefing, it was exciting to see the sheer number of people who appeared at the ev
Personally, as an intern observing the briefing, it was exciting to see the sheer number of people who appeared at the ev
Immigration Reform And Gay Rights A Molotov Cocktail
Posted by
BrenDAL 1082 days ago
(http://blogs.uscannenberg.org)
But here come the clouds - two big ones, so gray and heavy with water they threaten to explode into a huge downpour any minute now.
From the realm of the usual suspects return NumbersUSA, FAIR, ALIPAC, Michelle Malkin and all the immigration party animals ready to start swinging at their favorite piñata. Fresh from a grassroots effort that prevented from passing a bill to give undocumented immigrants the right get a driver's license in Maine, NumbersUSA is undoubtedly gearing up for the next match. These groups are so strong, so well organized, that they're credited with derailing efforts to overhaul the nation's immigration system twice already - in 2006 and 2007.
The second, a new arrival in this already controversial party, has the potential to cause more harm. And unfortunately, it's a just, fair, and much needed amendment to our immigration laws. It's cal
From the realm of the usual suspects return NumbersUSA, FAIR, ALIPAC, Michelle Malkin and all the immigration party animals ready to start swinging at their favorite piñata. Fresh from a grassroots effort that prevented from passing a bill to give undocumented immigrants the right get a driver's license in Maine, NumbersUSA is undoubtedly gearing up for the next match. These groups are so strong, so well organized, that they're credited with derailing efforts to overhaul the nation's immigration system twice already - in 2006 and 2007.
The second, a new arrival in this already controversial party, has the potential to cause more harm. And unfortunately, it's a just, fair, and much needed amendment to our immigration laws. It's cal
Allied Organizations Applaud UAFA Hearings
Posted by
BrenDAL 1084 days ago
(http://immigrationequality.org)
...supportive statements are coming into the Immigration Equality offices. Kate Kendell of the National Center for Lesbian Rights said that...
Protect Our Families Now
Posted by
BrenDAL 1085 days ago
(http://nclrights.wordpress.com)
I am so proud to announce that NCLR submitted written testimony to Congress in support of UAFA. My thanks go out to Chairman Leahy, Ranking Member Sessions, and members of the Committee for holding this historic hearing on this important legislation. Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony on behalf of the National Center for Lesbian Rights and the tens of thousands of families affected by the serious problem that this bill would correct. UAFA is a relatively modest bill, yet it is of critical importance to those who need it, for at its core the bill does one simple thing: it allows partners who have built families through love and commitment to stay together and care for one another.
It is unfair and unjust to force hard-working, tax-paying citizens to choose between their country and the person they love just because they are part of a same-sex couple.
It is unfair and unjust to force hard-working, tax-paying citizens to choose between their country and the person they love just because they are part of a same-sex couple.
Tell Congress to Keep Our Families Together
Posted by
BrenDAL 1085 days ago
(http://nclrights.wordpress.com)
Congressman Mike Honda (D-CA), a long-time champion of the LGBT community, will soon introduce the Reuniting Families Act. This landmark immigration bill helps to end discrimination that prevents loving families from being together, such as preventing same-sex partners from sponsoring their foreign partners for a permanent visa, long visa wait times, and more.
As our country begins a conversation about comprehensive immigration reform, this important first step helps to ensure that, moving forward, we’re included, too. The President supports us, and Congress is increasingly on our side. Now, our community can be part of fixing our nation’s broken immigration system by supporting their efforts.
Please stand with Congressman Honda and our families, and urge your elected representative to co-sponsor the Reuniting Families Act. Call your Representatives—urge them
As our country begins a conversation about comprehensive immigration reform, this important first step helps to ensure that, moving forward, we’re included, too. The President supports us, and Congress is increasingly on our side. Now, our community can be part of fixing our nation’s broken immigration system by supporting their efforts.
Please stand with Congressman Honda and our families, and urge your elected representative to co-sponsor the Reuniting Families Act. Call your Representatives—urge them
Why We Fight
Posted by
BrenDAL 1133 days ago
(http://tobermory-idoffer.blogspot.com)
But for binational couples like Sissi and Janet, it doesn’t solve the ... them—the right to sponsor a spouse for immigration benefits—happens
Green Card Laws Force Married Gay Couples into Exile
Posted by
BrenDAL 1135 days ago
(http://current.com)
...to sponsor your spouse for a green card, leaving binational gay couples ... difference to us now because it doesn’t affect immigration...
Binational Family Profiled in 'People'
Posted by
BrenDAL 1135 days ago
(http://immigration.change.org)
...accountability and how it's missing from immigration enforcement. ... One binational LGBT family has been profiled in People magazine. These
Immigration: Binational LGBT Couples Facing Deportation
Posted by
BrenDAL 1140 days ago
(http://feedproxy.google.com)
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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.