A Great Champion for LGBT Rights By Melanie Nathan, August 17, 2015. It is with deep sadness that I note the passing of one of my heroes, Civil Rights leader, Julian Bond. I had the great pleasure of meeting him in 2009 in D.C., at the UAFA hearing. Among all the great things he did, […]
Tag Archives: UAFA
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 […]
Exploitation of binational same-sex couples continues as Immigration Equality continues to fund raise on the back of its failure
The group raised $1,765,000 in 2011 of which $1,131,220 was used for salaries and compensation, and increased employees to 20 for what? By Melanie Nathan, April 26, 2013. Immigration Equality has failed binational same-sex couples and is now scrambling to stay relevant, with the audacity to create a exploitative lobby event, all leading of course […]
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 […]
Immigrant and LGBTQ Rights organizations to demand LGBTQ inclusion on Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill
Immigrant and LGBTQ Rights organizations come together to demand LGBTQ inclusion on Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill A bipartisan group of U.S. Senators is in the process of creating a framework for Comprehensive Immigration Reform for more than 11 million undocumented immigrants in this country. This press conference will call on the “Gang of Eight”- bipartisan […]
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 […]
Senator Arlen Specter Remembered by Lesbian Activist at hearings on UAFA
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 […]
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 […]
Senator Chuck Schumer Fails Binational Same Sex Couples while Providing New VISAS for Irish
by Melanie Nathan – Dec 12, 2011 Please watch the Video below which was recorded on June03, 2009. Nothing has happened out of Congress for binationals since Schumer made these statements. To pitch VISAS for new immigrants is disingenuous until such time as interim VISAS can be provided for same-sex couples by Congress. The Irish […]
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 […]
Petition Plea to Senator Feinstein – Green Cards – Special Visa – Same-Sex Spouses
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 […]
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 […]
lezgetreal.com: Senators Chuck Schumer & Lindsey Graham write an Article – But where is the Bill?
Melanie Nathan – on Lezgetreal Does this mean that the Senators will explicitly include UAFA or such language in the immigration reform bill and if so why does Schumer not simply say so, instead of talking around it the way he does here? Schumer says that there can be no “piecemeal legislation” which means, […]
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 […]
ANOTHER American Exiled! – UAFA Now or 1,666 years of Stories-
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 ……….
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 […]
Comprehensive Immigration Reform Symposium: – Keeping our eye on Equality
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.
Shirley Tan Advocate Magazine’s Activist of the YEAR!
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.
Melanie Nathan Calls for Moratorium as US Citizen’s Brazilian
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 […]
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.
reBlog from lezgetreal.com: Senator Leahy and Rep. Nadler plea for inclusion and I SAY NOW…. NOW…
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 […]
Out4Immigration-like an Ever-ready Battery….
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
I AM HERE WITH YOU IN THAT FIGHT and yet I give as much as the law allows?
I was skeptical about President Obama’s speech and yet hopeful. The short version of this post is that I was generally pleased. Of course I could highlight what was left out and the uncertainties that remain for our full equality, yet my ‘glass half full’ beckons and I succumb! Admittedly, the strongest language yet from […]
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