I was in DC this past week and spoke to a top staffer of Barney Frank. It was the day before the ENDA hearing. He told me the Congressman does not want to support the repeal until the passage of ENDA and Hate Crimes because, I was told, it is too much for the opponents … More No Games Barney- stop messing with my marriage or do I care?
I predict more will come forward and if one looks at the tally, and I can report more later, it is apparent that some who have already in this short spate of time signed on RMA were not signed on to Uniting American Families Act, the immigration legislation. this is the uplift we need. Imagine if our in fact marriages were in fact recognized by the law – hence our relationships – at this level. DADT -ENDA-HATE CRIMES-UAFA- all will be psychologically rolled into this one BIG ENDORSEMENT! … More Breaking – President Clinton retracts on DOMA and its Impact on Immigration Equality
Now what? Not a day goes by that I remain unaffected. Not an hour goes by that my children remain unaffected Not a minute goes by that you believe we are not here And if we get in your way and you notice you scorn.. But nothing can change the fact that I am and we … More Find the Missing word
A Commentary- by Melanie Nathan of oblogdeeoblogda In response to this Article By CHRIS JOHNSON, in today’s Washington Blade “Nadler to unveil DOMA repeal bill Tuesday Frank not among legislation’s co-sponsors” at http://www.washblade.com/thelatest/thelatest.cfm?blog_id=27153 There is so much LGBT popcorn popping on the Hill (D.C.) that it is tough to discern which bag to choose; the one … More NADLER V. FRANK = LGBT Unity?
How the Hate for 8 Hurt my Child… Before the California Court ruled I asserted in my blog “The fate of California’s same-sex marriage hangs in the balance, as the Justices prepare their ruling on the challenges to the validity of Proposition 8.” Now is has ruled and the impact is so egregious that the … More AS Prop 8 makes its way to the BIG COURT…. I revisit its impact on my child…
Quote: Human Rights Campaign, San Francisco Steering Committee:- “As we know from this past year’s roller coaster fight over marriage rights, our community needs a powerful voice and leaders who can harness the momentum that is building so that we can all share in the progress that we have long waited for. Listen to members of … More Human Rights Campaign Dinner 25th July 2009 San Francisco
My kids are real…. … More I am a real person and so are my kids
I just received an email addressed probably to all of President Obama’s supporters asking for support on health care. I am not lending my suupport to anything until I get the promised repeal of DOMA. As selfish as it sounds, I am sick of our community being taken for granted. Use us and then abuse … More DOMA – DECLARE OBAMA MISSING in ACTION
Before we headed out to the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. The Tan Mercado family was all spruced up and ready to testify. They were not nervous, just willing to take care of business. Shirley testified with a bravery rarely seen. I met Shirley when she had mere weeks to her deportation and the moment … More Shirley Tan, Melanie Nathan, Jay Mercado leaving the PLaza D.C. For the hearing.
Jashley Jorienne contemplate their future. THis video cannot be copy used without permission. But link here by all means.
QUOTE: ANDREW SULLIVAN -“The premise of the marriage waiver – and of all immigration law in the US – is that tearing families or married couples apart should be avoided at all costs. But bi-national gay married couples now have to face exactly that choice between spouse and country that the US has always avoided. … More Senator Jeff Sessions – it is more than words – UAFA reporting from D.C. Shirley Tan et al,
UAFA emotional testimony … More SHIRLEY TAN’S heartbreaking testimony
“UAFA Hearings, June 3 – More Details WEBCAST http://judiciary.senate.gov/hearings/hearing.cfm?id=3876 by Kathy Drasky Published May 27, 2009 @ 08:42AM PT Immigration Equality has made available the following information if you are planning to attend the Senate hearings next week in Washington, DC. We’ll continue to post more info as we receive it. We also understand that … More Tune in….
Asking our PREZ not to flip flop on his promise to eradicate DOMA. Defense of Marriage Act – TIme up for second class citizen sour tatus – the unconscienable and excruciating changes to constitutions the theft of our inherent rights; the money that funds confusion engendered by dishonest advertisements, of the self proclaimed religious, the claimed ownership of … More Become a fan on facebook – Send President Obama a FLIP FLOP postcard
By Melanie Nathan – Breaking – Today, 1.30 PM. Senator Leahy , (D-VT) extended an invitation to Shirley Tan to testify at the UAFA hearing on June 3rd before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Shirley Tan, her wife Jay and their twelve year old twinsons, together with ‘yours truly’ will be traveling next week to DC for the hearings … More Breaking Shirley Tan Invited to UAFA Hearing
10.50 am I am gratified my marriage is considered valid, but I am heartbroken by the ruling and how it impacts our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters, and of course their families. I can only say to those families that still want to marry, you have the committment of the 18,000 to continue the … More Decision Day Prop 8 Breaking News Marriage Ban is upheld
JULY 27, 2008 – May, 26, 2009 WHAT IS IT GOING TO BE – ? “R.I.P MARRIAGE” – THE DEATH OF MY MARRIAGE BY THE VOICE OF CALIFORNIA, ENDORSED BY THE BENCH? OR “HAPPY ANNIVERSARY HONEY” – MARRIED TEN MONTHS” – BY ORDER OF COURT! Marriage Equality Join us on the Steps of the Court 400 McAllister, … More Tonight the fate of our marriage, albeit decided, hangs in my psychological balance….
Waiting for California proposition 8 Judicial decision I reflect on the harm to my children … More What next ? … as we continue to protect our kids..we wait for the news …PROP 8 …
Shirley Tan is not leaving the USA for a while – Great News and much appreciation to Senator Fesinetin, (D) California. … More Senator Dianne Feinstein, et al save Shirley Tan
What has Susan Boyle got to do with LGT marriage equality – nothing except draw you to my site..read more … More What has Susan Boyle got to do with marriage equality?
On April 10th, Shirley Tan received good news and bad news on her rollercoaster ride to or from permanence in the USA. Shirley received notice from the BIA that a deportation order was re-issued giving her 30 days to voluntarily leave the USA. The good news is the admittance that the prior order was not … More Update Shirley Tan Deportation- out of options
Commens made about Shirley Tan – some are heartless and cruel. … More An American Family Value – Family Values what are they?
San Francisco, California “This is a good day for this family, but their fight is not over,” said Chris Waddling, Binational Couples Outreach Director for Marriage Equality USA. Shirley Tan, the California mother of two who was to be deported April 3rd has been given a stay of deportation until April 22nd pending the possibility of further action. Thanks to the heroic efforts of her counsel, Melanie Nathan, lawyer Phyllis Beech, Rep. Jackie Speier [CA-12], Senator Dianne Feinstein, and Immigration Equality’s Julie Kruse, Ms Tan, her wife of 23 years, U.S. citizen Jay Mercado, and their two sons will not be saying goodbye to one another just yet. … More Lesbian Moms struggle to keep family unified in USA
San Francisco, California “This is a good day for this family, but their fight is not over,” said Chris Waddling, Binational Couples Outreach Director for Marriage Equality USA. Shirley Tan, the California mother of two who was to be deported April 3rd has been given a stay of deportation until April 22nd pending the possibility of further action. Thanks to the heroic efforts of her counsel, Melanie Nathan, lawyer Phyllis Beech, Rep. Jackie Speier [CA-12], Senator Dianne Feinstein, and Immigration Equality’s Julie Kruse, Ms Tan, her wife of 23 years, U.S. citizen Jay Mercado, and their two sons will not be saying goodbye to one another just yet. … More Press Release Shirley Tan
I was informed by Rep. Speier’s office that there is a temporary stay of deportation pending further work that is being done in the case. The stay has been extended tto April 22, 2009. we await this in writing to be sure. Although the family is not out of the woods, so to speak, this news is gratifying, said … More Breaking News Shirley Tan deportation Case
Please help the TAN family by supporting the passage of a private bill. Contact Melanie Nathan of private Courts, at the address provided. … More Save Shirley Tan Urgent – deportation set for 4/3/09
LGBT Families torn about by lack of equal protection under Federal law.
Special Thanks to:
Martha and Lin McDewitt-Pugh – Love in Exile (http://www.loveexiles.org/)
Julie Kruse and Victoria Neilson Immigration Equality, (www.immigrationequality.org)
Melanie Nathan, CEO Private Courts, Inc. (www.privatecourts.com)
GLAAD for media support and training Cindi Creaver (www.glaad.org/
Offices of Senator Boxer and Senator Feinstein … More Help us Please – twin boys beg for Mother’s rights
PLEASE CONGRESS 36,000 AMERICANS AND THEIR CHILDREN DESPERATELY SEEKING UAFA passage …. There are American citizens who are being discriminated against in a way that extends beyond civil rights into the realm of human rights and it has everything to do with immigration law – do you want to remain silent … read this and decide. Please ask your Senator to support and push for Uniting American Faminlies Act…. read on … More America can be such a sad place for so many
The Court has taken the matter as submitted. Prop 8 is on the decision block. It seemed to me by listening to the questions of the esteemed Justices that proposition 8 may go through as valid. I feel despondent. Although I thought Ms. Stewart’s argument was articulate and clear and its jurisprudential profundity seemed to outweigh that of the opponent. … More Feels like my entire life depends on 4 hours of alienable argument
Our little one turns 4 today. She deserves the recognition and respect that all other children have when it comes to rights for her parents. She is a fact of life and she has the right to be acknowledged by the law… … More Today is my daughter’s 4th Birthday and she deserves a NO on 8
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