DO IT! This could be the single most meaningful call to Action of this political era – Its families, its children, its LGBTQI!!! Hi friends please visit the NQAPIA website– to see the fabulous work they are doing and take heed of this new action. See the link below. This is an important action request … More NQAPIA Call to Critical Action on behalf of Reuniting Families
“Mr. Sessions is a throwback to a shameful era that we thought was in the past. Inconceivable to me that a person of this attitude could be a Judge or even a US attorney. ” Senator Ted Kennedy: “He is now the ranking member of the very committee that rejected him and we were one of … More Experiencing the Hate of Jeff Sessions First Hand – Rabid Anti Gay Racist Could Be Trump AG
Begging for money to fund a failed strategy for immigration inclusiveness is a waste of time, money and resources | It is too late because even if UAFA is included in CIR, it will be the demise of DOMA that get binational spouses their green cards. Immigration Equality has always described itself as the preeminent … More Immigration Equality begs on backs of binationals | Failed strategy has its remedy in death of DOMA
By Melanie Nathan, February 07, 2013. The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) defines marriage as between a man and woman only, and so a same-sex American spouse (citizen or resident) cannot petition for a foreign spouse to obtain a green card and citizenship. That means that married same-sex couples cannot benefit from the same Federal … More Immigration reform and the complexities for same-sex binational couples
Have you thought that this BLOG may be more than just about the news? That some BLOGS are as important in their advocacy as any organization representing LGBT rights out there? O-Blog-Dee-O-Blog-da™ is blogging drenched in advocacy™ and while you do not need a paid subscription to visit and read, it does help to … More A New Way to Support Our LGBTI Advocacy
WATCH VIDEO – Senator Arlen Specter’s service included solicitude and action for same-sex couples denied green cards. By Melanie Nathan, October 15, 2012. It is with great sadness that I note the passing of Senator Arlen Spector of Pennsylvania today. While I thought I could never forgive him for his interrogation of Anita Hill, I … More Senator Arlen Specter Remembered by Lesbian Activist at hearings on UAFA
06/04/2011, Posted by Melanie Nathan, Note: This letter has been submitted by OUT 4 Immigration, whom I consider to be the most sincere and miraculous group in the LGBT community with regard to the plight of same-sex couples who have no immigration equality under the federal law of the U.S.A. Dear Senator Feinstein — For … More Petition Plea to Senator Feinstein – Green Cards – Special Visa – Same-Sex Spouses
By Melanie Nathan. 1/23/10 Shirley Tan did a formidable job when presenting her profound story to a very moved and emotional mainstream audience at the MLK Award dinner in marin County on Thursday night. As a Commissioner on the Human Rights Commission, I was so proud to introduce Shirl as well as Jay Mercado her … More Shirley Tan Keynote Speaker at Marin Human Rights Commision MLK Humaitarian Award Dinner.
Dear Friends, Since June of this year I have been critical about Immigration Equality’s strategy – in promoting our UAFA through inclusion in Comprehensive Immigration reform (CIR) as a priority strategy. My sense of logic told me that by doing so they would be ‘shooting us in the foot’- as they would in effect limit … More Bi-nationals – Take Back your Right to your FIGHT
The city of San Francisco has its work cut out for it when it comes to Immigration reform, and it must stand up for all its residents; while certain religious communities strongly support immigration reform, it is apparent they will oppose the inclusion of UAFA and may well shoot themselves in the toe rather than support fully inclusive reform that excludes no one. … More Comprehensive Immigration Reform Symposium: – Keeping our eye on Equality
I am documenting this note in the hope that you will remember that Shirl and Jay are innocent bystanders who got caught up in a situation and have been inadvertent activists. If anything goes wrong it will not be for lack of trying on their behalf to help others. It would have been much easier for them to remain silent. … More Shirley Tan Advocate Magazine’s Activist of the YEAR!
When all was lost and there was no “next step” for Shirley Tan, about to be deported within mere weeks, Molly McKay of Marriage Equality called my office to see if I could be of assistance. Unfortunately Shirley’s was a losing case and she was told that there was nothing anyone could do to help … More Shirley Tan -Jay Mercado and the Twins visit the White House
By Melanie Nathan, July 31, 2009 Perhaps more of our congressional representatives would be willing to do what Congresswoman Jackie Speier did for the LGBT community today. The Congresswoman, a Democrat from California’s 12th district called a meeting today of the LGBT leadership in San Francisco. With not much notice a core group of leaders, … More Congresswoman Jackie Speier Provides Valuable Opinion on UAFA
API ORGANIZATIONS IN CALIFORNIA UNITE TO DEMAND FAIR & HUMANE IMMIGRATION REFORM August 20, 2009 -LOS ANGELES, CA – In Historic Filipinotown, Asian and Pacific Islander (API) organizations called on the Obama Administration and Congress for enact fair and humane comprehensive immigration reform. In simultaneous press conferences held in Los Angeles and San Francisco, community leaders … More Asian and Pacific Islander Organizations – Ask for Immigration Reform
Not unpredictable – says Melanie Nathan, author of this post! Press Conference – Mexico- Today President Obama confirmed some of my fears in so far as they relate to Uniting American Families Act – UAFA and comprehensive immigration reform (CIR). “I’ve got a lot on my plate and it’s very important for us … More Why Healthcare has Impacted Uniting American Families Act… because it has in essence halted Comprehensive Immigration Reform
Congress can and will have a new attitude toward UAFA – but it is not going to happen until we empower our community to make appointments with their representatives in every district, to show up with their own stories asking for help and if they do not need help, then to show up with the stories of other constituents. Congress will buzz if the dialogue between Rep and Constituent is prevalent and persistent. Until this constituent push happens the D.C. insider intelligence is meaningless. If congress has not taken the issue on after we do this, then I will succumb to the current D.C. Intelligence. … More Comments about UAFA- do not be put off – be motivated
MY DEVIL IS ADVOCATING ……… IMMIGRATION EQUALITY (.org) is calling for support of RFA Reuniting Families Act) The Reuniting Families Act (H.R. 2709) because it includes Lesbian and Gays. In this article when I refer to CIR I include RFA http://hosted.vresp.com/404947/1f3d6f0ec5/135453617/57f5af7acc/ If the devil did not advocate, success would go unappreciated. My hope is for the … More The Devil suggests: “Binationals you may get screwed”
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 … More Kathy Drasky and the volunteers for Out4Immigration
Belinda from Out4Immigration and on the BOARD of SF Pride PHOTOS:EXCLUSIVE TO THIS SITE AND COPYRIGHT TO MELANIE NATHAN.©2009 Permission to reproduce -contact nathan@privatecourts.com SFPride VIP Party in City Hall
Press release:- Shirley Tan and Family to March with Out4Immigration at San Francisco Pride 2009 Pacifica family and Out4Immigration seek equal immigration rights for LGBT families and passage of the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) By Marina DiCerbo Tuesday, June 23, 2009 Photo taken by Melanie Nathan. San Francisco, CA—June 23, 2009—Shirley Tan, her partner … More Shirley Tan and Family to March with Out4Immigration at San Francisco Pride 2009
This was Shirley Tan’s testimony on June 3rd in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Now we prepare for the State Capitol. ALL speaking engagements for Shirley should be via Melanie Nathan at nathan@privatecourts.com
Shirley, Jay & Melanie, I wanted to drop you a quick note and thank you, so much, for joining us in Washington last week and for all of your amazing efforts on behalf of Immigration Equality. The past week was the most momentous in our country’s history for binational couples, and you were all an … More No thanks needed …the work goes on and our community thanks is our community’s help- Call your reps in support of Immigration Reform and UAFA!
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 after an emotional hearing. Senator Leahy took us all into his office to show us his beautiful children and grandkids.
UAFA emotional testimony … More SHIRLEY TAN’S heartbreaking testimony
Julian Bond of NAACP testifies with Shirley Tan, Chris Nugent, Gordon Stewart at the behest of Senator Patrick Leahy -Melanie Nathan reports from UAFA hearing in D.C. Senatoir Jeff Sessions is a racist, a woman hater and now he is the ranking GOP member on the Senate Judiciary Committee…see Videos Of Tan hearing and Rachel MAddow … More Senator Sessions, UAFA – a man about hate…..
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/03/us/politics/03immig.html?_r=1&hpw Big News- New York Times Article.
Melanie reporting from D.C. for UAFA Hearings, June 03, 2009. The place is a-buzz as the new Judicial nominee, the soon to be Justice (G-d willing) Sonia Sotomayor does the rounds; senators, press, passers by, it is a sweet time, indeed. President Barack Obama made history when he nominated Sonia Sotomayor, a federal appeals court judge … More UAFA Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing
UAFA witness list announced … More BREAKING NEWS UAFA- Senate Judiciary committee releases hearing Witness list
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