I found this fascinating quote today: In June 2009, when I heard about Britta, she was being held in detention in a Florida Detention Facility; she had been caught in an ICE sweep and was unable to provide documentation of legal status in the USA and I was on my way to D.C. for the … More reBlog LGR: Binational Marches Alone at NYC Immigration Rally – Where were the GAYS?
SHOCKING REALITY – Schumer – NO UAFA in CIR… Current law precludes LGBT couples from sponsoring spouses for immigration. Many tens of thousands of LGBT families are caught in the quagmire of an anomaly created by the unconstitutional Defense of Marriage Act, which pits State law against the Federal law, giving couples the right to … More Reblog from Me at LGR BREAKING: SHOCKING REALITY- Senator Chuck Schumer Is Planning To Exclude Gay And Lesbians From Immigration Reform Bill.
This week a Plane is leaving for Taiwan and one more American is forced to leave the Country he loves so dearly, simply because the love of his life is ………. … More ANOTHER American Exiled! – UAFA Now or 1,666 years of Stories-
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
Tuesday 27th October I blogged for : Melanie Nathan Calls for Moratorium as US Citizen’s Brazilian same-sex husband denied asylum .. Tagged with: Brazil Brazillian Defense of Marriage Act DOMA John Kerry Junior Oliveira Kerry Marriage Melanie Nathan Obama Same-sex marriage Tim Coco UAFA United States Uniting American Families Act USA BOSTON — Associated Press reports today that a gay Brazilian man has been denied asylum by the Obama administration … More Melanie Nathan Calls for Moratorium as US Citizen’s Brazilian
Today a Binational married lesbian couple (names private) attended Senator Gillibrand’s meet and greet at the LGBT Center in NYC. They went armed with a letter setting out their dire circumstances, including reference to the unconscionable detention suffered by one of the spouses. … More Senator Gillibrand Tells LGBT audience to PUSH Reps for UAFA…. Must be passed by the Spring….
I wrote this Article for Lezgetreal BLOG extraordinaire The Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) of 2009, would grant same-sex couples the same immigration benefits — and responsibilities — as opposite-sex couples, under the same existing legal framework. It is cosponsored by 22 senators and 117 members of the House of Representatives and has the support … More reBlog from lezgetreal.com: Senator Leahy and Rep. Nadler plea for inclusion and I SAY NOW…. NOW…
Melanie Nathan’s comment:- While some organizations focus on fundraising and remain furtive in their strategy, citing “we know best” while purporting to advance the cause of binationals in their self appointed autocracy, Out4Immigration remains consistent in its plan – a transparent one- and as always made public here is a note from OUT4Immigration posted by Amos Lim, unpaid volunteer at the helm:- Please join out4Immigration in its quest to help our gay and lesbian families in exile, in hiding or living in uncertainty. we should not have to choose between our heart or home. Also remember we are all one heart beat away from falling in love with a foreigner.
see additional commentary on this post at http://lezgetreal.com/?p=22326
… More Out4Immigration-like an Ever-ready Battery….
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
This is what we need to see more of – We should urge all those who voted for DOMA to now co-sponsor its repeal under the new Respect for Marriage Act introduced this week by Rep. Jerrold Nadler. Proudly changing my position on DOMA (Rep. Earl Blumenauer By Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) … More Ask your Congress Members to Redeem Themselves….
California‘s Assembly has sent a message today – that it will accept no less than full immigration equality for its same-sex partners. AJR 15 is a Resolution that expresses its support for the Federal bill, UAFA, that places the words “permanent partner” next to “souse” in the Immigration and Nationality Act, thereby giving gay and lesbianpartners … More Resolution in Support of UAFA moves through California Assembly –
Today, together with Gina Capiro, I had the great honor of providing testimony on behalf of the thousands of binational same-sex partners, for Resolution AJR 15 which in essence will serve to provide California‘s legislature’s support of the Uniting American Families Act and equality in the immigration laws of the US, for same-sex permanent partners. A … More AJR 15 -California on its way in Support of UAFA
Eliminate Immigration Barriers for Same-Sex Couples – Thanks EQCA – California Assembly Judiciary Committee will be hearing testimony on AJR 15, a California resolution to support the federal Uniting American Families Act (UAFA). Tuesday 18 August … More Thanks EQCA – California Assembly Judiciary Committee will be hearing testimony on AJR 15, a California resolution to support the federal Uniting American Families Act (UAFA).
I have had the great pleasure of working with Amos and really enjoyed his company this past weekend when we attended the OCA conference in San Francisco. Amos is so easy to work with and a wealth of knowledge. Its almost as if his name is synonymous with LGBT immigration equality. Congratulations to Out4Immigration founding … More Congratulations Amos Community Hero
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
VISIT – Out 4 Immigration Action Kit. Please spread to word to as many States and Blogs as possible. There is so much going on – all the LGBT organizations are putting out uniform calls to action – ENDA–DADT– DOMA – this being the time now! Now! Now! In this scrap for your attention, I … More This is getting a lot of attention – UAFA Foot Soldiers please join the Brigade
If you check and affirm more than one of the following items listed below, then this Article applies to you:- Do you believe that all people should be treated equally Do you endorse “the right to pursue happiness” as per the US constitution When faced with the … More PUSH FOR PASSAGE – Out 4 Immigration Deploys….. for UAFA
Two New UAFA Co-Sponsors in the House by Kathy Drasky Published July 20, 2009 @ 09:24AM PT
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
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
Melanie Nathan and the Month of Pride with Shirley Tan, Jay Mercado out4immigration … More Shirley Tan will testify at California State Capital
A Press conference in D.C. on Thursday was attended by Shirley Tan and her family when Mike Honda introduced the Reuniting Families Act. This legislation would, inter alia, extend to “permanent partners” the same naturalization rights accorded to spouses under the bill, allowing gay and lesbian Americans to seek legal residency for their immigrant same-sex partners. Although … More Press Conference Rep Mike Honda introduces Bill for Immigration Reform
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
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.
UAFA witness list announced … More BREAKING NEWS UAFA- Senate Judiciary committee releases hearing Witness list
O-blog-dee-o-blog-da 