UPDATE: SCOTUS announced remaining decisions including marriage equality will be released tomorrow – Wednesday. By Melanie Nathan, June 25, 2013. Every moment counts for those who have not held a partner close – in some cases for years – as SCOTUS has yet to deliver its decision on marriage equality. Today binational same-sex couples are […]
Tag Archives: Binational
DEAD WRONG LGBT Publisher Refuses to Tell Binational Story
We as a community cannot reject the most vulnerable amongst us | Binational same-sex couples have already paid the heaviest price By Melanie Nathan, May 28, 2013. I started my advocacy work and writing the stories about the horrendous plight of same-sex binational couples back in 2009, when faced with the possible deportation of my […]
Judge rules lesbian binational couple can challenge DOMA
By Melanie Nathan, April 21, 2013. In a case filed by Los Angeles-based Center for Human Rights and Constitutional Law, a Judge has ruled that a lesbian couple facing immigration discrimination has the legal standing to challenge the federal Defense of Marriage Act, otherwise known as DOMA, because it violates the constitutional rights of immigrants […]
Immigration Equality begs on backs of binationals | Failed strategy has its remedy in death of DOMA
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 […]
Gay Man in San Diego immigration detention ailing and desperate to reunite with Fiancé
ASKING FOR HELP TO BRING MAX HOME TO DONALD The worst outcome of the unconstitutional DOMA is when it separates spouses and partners | If Max and Donald were a straight couple, this would not be happening By Melanie Nathan and Ken Williams, April 05, 2013. A 26-year-old gay man is being held in immigration […]
God Forbid Equality | Same-Sex Couples’ right to immigration equality attacked by Hispanic Catholic Evangelical Coalition
Gay and lesbian U.S. citizens and permanent residents may lose the possible inclusion in immigration reform that would allow them to apply for visas and green cards – Catholic Hispanic, and Evangelical Coalition says inclusion would be an Immigration reform deal-breaker. By Melanie Nathan, March 08, 2013. You would think that marginalized group would find […]
Immigration reform and the complexities for same-sex binational couples
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 […]
McCain Calls Binational Same-Sex Couples a Red Flag for Immigration Reform
Expectations that Obama to call for inclusion of same-sex couples: UPDATED – CONTRARY TO SPECULATION OBAMA FAILED TO MENTION THE SNUB OF LGBT SAME-SEX BINATIONALS in the McCAIN Schumer immigration reform plan. Maybe it is in his written plan? But Obama does include them in his written Proposal. By Melanie Nathan, January 29, 2013, 7.30 […]
Immigration Policy Snubs Binational Same-Sex Couples as UAFA is excluded from Bipartisan Plan
Bipartisan bound to snub binationals indicative of failed Immigration Equality strategy, as gays tossed under the bus. By Melanie Nathan, January 28, 2013 ([email protected]) A bipartisan group of Senators from both parties revealed today the framework of a broad overhaul of the nation’s immigration laws, including a pathway to citizenship for more than 11 million […]
DOMA Bans Green Cards for Gay Couples Notes Andrew Sullivan on CNN
No one should have to choose between Spouse and Country By Melanie Nathan, April 23, 2012 It is a rare day that we find an opportunity to declare the plight of binational couples on mainstream television. Andrew Sullivan had that chance and although he spoke eloquently to his personal journey toward immigration in the USA, […]
Immigration Equality Fails Binational Same-Sex Couples Again
Immigration Equality Seeks to blame Obama Administration for its own ineffectiveness and fainting mission By Melanie Nathan, February 23, 2012 Andrew Harmon at the Advocate reports that The Obama Administration held talks with LGBT groups on January 30, and the “big ask” was rejected. “While the administration has taken affirmative steps in recent months to […]
LGBT Foreign Policy Applauded AND Human Rights should Start at Home with Fiance Visas and Greencards for Same-sex Couples
Pro-Gay Foreign Policy Applauded, YET Obama Administration Fails Binationals at home; surely being separated from fiance’s and spouses is a human rights issue too? Melanie Nathan by Melanie Nathan, Dec 06, 2011 Building on pro-gay policies put in place by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, President Obama today ordered overseas federal agencies to fight local […]
Binationals UAFA Died on June 4, 2009 – and now DOMA is Killing us!
I received a note via Face Book today containing this picture of a Binational separated from her spouse. My anger was triggered and I ran to blame! I blame Immigration Equality for the death of UAFA (Uniting American Families Act)! Now we must focus on the repeal of DOMA- its too late for UAFA! Without […]
Watch Immigration Equality’s Rachel Tiven, Admitting Sell out of Same-sex Binational Couples
By Melanie Nathan, 08/10/2011 In the name of Immigration for all, Rachel Tiven Executive Director of Immigration Equality, is seen on this Video justifying why her organization employed a strategy that served to sell out UAFA – The Uniting American Families Act. UAFA would have provided same-sex binational spouses with greencards. Instead of pursuing UAFA […]
Binational Spouse Obtains Deportation Reprieve from San Francisco Immigration Judge
July 13, 2011, Posted by Melanie Nathan, SAN FRANCISCO, CA – This morning in San Francisco, Doug Gentry and Alex Benshimol — a married binational same-sex couple — appeared before Immigration Judge Marilyn Teeter for a deportation hearing and were permitted to remain in the country despite the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), the law […]
Lesbian Spouses Torn Apart – Fight for Bi-national Immigration Equality
QUOTES: New York Civil Liberties Union: “Citizen Non-Citizen” highlights the heart-wrenching story of Britta and Carla, a married same-sex bi-national couple living in New York City fighting to stay together in the United States. We’d like to honor the fact that Britta and Carla have been dedicated activists, and indeed without their efforts, and courage […]
reBlog LGR: Binational Marches Alone at NYC Immigration Rally – Where were the GAYS?
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 […]
Breaking – Equal Ca Benefits Awarded To Same-Sex Bi-National Spouse
Breaking by Melanie Nathan “We are pleased that the Alameda County Fire Department and CalPERS are complying with SB 54, and providing benefits to LGBT employees and their spouses just like they do for all other married couples,” said Ilona Turner, a staff attorney with NCLR. “We trust that other public agencies in California will […]
Reblog from Me at LGR BREAKING: SHOCKING REALITY- Senator Chuck Schumer Is Planning To Exclude Gay And Lesbians From Immigration Reform Bill.
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 […]
Bi-nationals – Take Back your Right to your FIGHT
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 […]
Senator Gillibrand Tells LGBT audience to PUSH Reps for UAFA…. Must be passed by the Spring….
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.
AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN
“Hun, we live in a world where peoples are often so full of fear which is usually because of ignorance, – there are all sorts of different families – but they have usually only experienced their own. The unknown teririfies them; so they lash out in this way. What you heard on that ad, was unfair and contorted, but that is how the people who are against the idea of same-sex marriage think they can get other people to join their way of thinking.”
I provided more reassurance as best I could. A few more questions and answers later we arrived at school, and went on with the next two weeks, during which time HC and my four year old accompanied me to various “NO ON 8” rallies; “no on 8, no on 8,” a battle cry still performed by my 4 year old whenever she sees the number 8, whether in the market, at school or in the movies.
The Devil suggests: “Binationals you may get screwed”
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 […]
This is why we must focus on UAFA – not sure theat CIR will make it…
Somehow I think (opinion only) that UAFA stands more chance than CIR. I have many reasons for thinking this. I will gather my thoughts and keep reporting back, Melanie Nathan June 22, 2009 Daniela Securanza reports at http://whitehouse.blogs.foxnews.com/2009/06/22/immigration-back-on-the-burner-on-thursday-at-least/ Immigration back on the burner on Thursday, at least (Washington) The White House conceded Monday that getting comprehensive […]
Shirley Tan and Family to March with Out4Immigration at San Francisco Pride 2009
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 […]
Tune in….
“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 […]
California Supreme Court ruling on Proposition 8 Statement from California Democratic Party Chairman John Burton : “Today’s decision, while heartbreaking, doesn’t end the historic struggle for marriage equality. It renews our dedication to making sure all California families can again enjoy the dignity, commitment and responsibility of marriage. I commend the California Supreme Court for […]
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