White House restates support for binational couples to stay together
Obama supports inclusion of UAFA in Comprehensive Immigration Reform, as indicated today in a quote in a Bay Windows article:
Asked about Obama’s stance on UAFA [the Uniting American Families Act] and the likelihood of its inclusion in comprehensive immigration legislation, White House spokesman Shin Inouye said in a statement that: “The president thinks Americans with partners from other countries should not be faced with a painful choice between staying with their partner or staying in their country. We will work closely with Congress to craft comprehensive immigration reform legislation.”
Senator John Kerry (D-MA) also indicated hopes that UAFA could move, citing the fact that the ending of the statutory HIV travel and immigration ban was attached to PEPFAR legislation last summer:
I can’t tell you today how that legislative fight will shape up especially in 2009 when you’ve got so many legislative fires burning. But I’m very optimistic that this common sense legislation will get done at the right moment. It’s frustrating as hell, but it takes time and you have to find the moment legislatively to get it done. Persistence counts. Look at an issue like the draconian HIV travel ban we finally ended last year – we couldn’t pass it as a stand-alone bill, but [Oregon Senator] Gordon Smith and I worked it in the Foreign Relations Committee, got it included in PEPFAR, and President Bush signed it into law. You have to work it from multiple angles, and that’s what I’m determined to do.
UAFA currently has 94 cosponsors in the House and eighteen in the Senate. Recent new cosponsors include freshman Senators Kirstin Gillibrand (D-NY) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR).
less talk, more action.
Comment by Lawrence — March 26, 2009 @ 10:42 am
The HIV travel ban hasn’t ended, so why is kerry patting himself on the back? Misinformation from the source itself.
Comment by Lawrence — March 26, 2009 @ 10:43 am
This is GREAT news if indeed this is how the White House feels. That said, we still need to continue with our full court press on Senators and Congressmen to make sure that equal branch of government is on the same page. After all Congress writes the law.
Comment by Don George — March 26, 2009 @ 10:55 am
Checked THOMAS and it still says 93 in the House. Must be a typo.
Comment by Tim — March 26, 2009 @ 10:57 am
I am very happy to hear the good news. But I too agree less talk and more action. Like Don said “We still need to continue with our full court press on Senators and Congressmen to make sure that equal branch of government is on the same page”. Keep calling and emailing. Yes We Can!
Comment by SeaMex — March 26, 2009 @ 11:17 am
Tim, I think the article includes both sponsors and cosponsors while Thomas has sponsors and cosponsors in different categories.
Comment by nola — March 26, 2009 @ 11:22 am
Talk is part of the action — it spreads our stories, brings more public awareness to our issues, and keeps us informed and current.
Comment by Rick — March 26, 2009 @ 11:33 am
@nola, good point. hadn’t considered that. what are everyone’s opinions on writing en masse to john kerry? he seems to be one of the most public and passionate advocates of UAFA. i’ve already decided that Michael and I will write to him when I’m over in the US in April.
Comment by Tim — March 26, 2009 @ 11:40 am
Kerry told Bay Windows that it was hard to assess the short-term prospects for UAFA.
“I can’t tell you today how that legislative fight will shape up especially in 2009 when you’ve got so many legislative fires burning. But I’m very optimistic that this common sense legislation will get done at the right moment. It’s frustrating as hell, but it takes time and you have to find the moment legislatively to get it done. Persistence counts,” Kerry said in a statement. “Look at an issue like the draconian HIV travel ban we finally ended last year – we couldn’t pass it as a stand-alone bill, but [Oregon Senator] Gordon Smith and I worked it in the Foreign Relations Committee, got it included in PEPFAR, and President Bush signed it into law. You have to work it from multiple angles, and that’s what I’m determined to do.”
Comment by Caeton — March 26, 2009 @ 12:36 pm
I wonder how long it takes to get “HIV Ban” n “UAFA” completely done and enacted. The sooner the better or more GLBT families are tortured. Hey guys, again, v beed to create “A PERFECT STORM” for our movements on these 2 issues.
Comment by Kim — March 26, 2009 @ 12:58 pm
OK. So now make it happen already! Why can’t UAFA be passed BEFORE and separate from Comprehensive Immigration Reform?
Comment by Craig — March 26, 2009 @ 1:06 pm
So, has anyone listened in to the online townhall today and if so, were any LGBT and especially UAFA-related questions brought up and answered?
Comment by Tim — March 26, 2009 @ 1:46 pm
Hi Tim, I listened to it, there were no LGBT or UAFA related questions brought up.
Comment by Lee — March 26, 2009 @ 1:54 pm
I’m surprised that IE is posting an article about the immigration case of Genesio Oliveira, when they didn’t want to support his case, which I kind of understand, because it’s about asylum. But it makes me wonder about the interest in CIR.
Speaking of CIR, let me quote this from the article:
‘President Obama has said recently that he plans to push for comprehensive immigration reform legislation at some point later this year, and Cristina Finch, HRC senior counsel, said that HRC plans to make sure that the issues facing bi-national same-sex couples are part of the debate on immigration reform. But she said immigration issues are already so politically charged that it is unlikely UAFA would be part of any comprehensive immigration bill.’
Even though we all need positive news, we think it’s wrong to only highlight the positive statements. We need more objective viewpoints, even if they aren’t positive.
Comment by Lee — March 26, 2009 @ 2:06 pm
Hi Lee
disappointing if not unexpected. Seems like letter and email campaigns are our best shot. We have to make sure the bill doesn’t stop with the subcomittees so we’ll have to keep writing to the Dems and moderate Republicans who haven’t signed on yet (I’ll make sure I’ll drop another note on facebook to remind people). Also, has anyone other than Lee and myself written to Rachel Maddow and Oprah? Have to admit I’m a bit disappointed by Ellen’s silence so far. Anyone know any other gay and lesbian celebrities we could contact? Just trying to think of ways to keep the momentum of the last 2 weeks going..
Comment by Tim — March 26, 2009 @ 2:08 pm
Maybe I’m getting the wrong vibe from the article but it seemed to me that John Kerry also didn’t seem optimistic UAFA on its own had a realistic chance of getting passed? Anyone else get that impression? In any case, I feel we should continue pressing for UAFA’s passage both on its own and as part of CIR.
Comment by Tim — March 26, 2009 @ 2:12 pm
Hi Tim, we are constantly trying to remind people on keeping the threads alive…as Kerry said, we have to be persistent.
What about Perez Hilton?
We are still thinking….
Comment by Lee — March 26, 2009 @ 2:14 pm
Lee, I don’t think IE posted only postive part of the story. IE posted the White House’s OFFICIAL position on UAFA, which obviously matters more than the opinion of HRC’s senior counsel.
Comment by Rick — March 26, 2009 @ 2:26 pm
I posted the following on IE’s facebook wall to keep rallying people:
“Please keep writing in to the following Democrats because they’re all on the Judiciary subcommittee and haven’t cosponsored UAFA as yet. If we want the bill to go to the vote in the House, we’ve got to make a concentrated effort to get all of them on board! When you write to them, feel free to quote John Kerry from his Huffington Post article:
“I believe that all citizens, regardless of their sexual orientation, should be assured equal protection under the law. That’s why I am trying to win passage of the United American Families Act so that partners of United States citizens and lawful permanent residents can obtain lawful permanent resident status in the same manner as spouses of citizens. (…) I don’t believe (…) any (…) couple should have to wait for Congress to come around to the truth that laws like DOMA are discriminatory and wrong. No couple should have to wait. And no United States Senator should take off the table the immediate steps a compassionate government can take to reunite two law-abiding, loving people today – not tomorrow.”
These are the people we have to target in the days ahead;
- Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)
- Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
- Richard Durban (D-IL)
- Herbert Kohl (D-WI)
- Edward Kaufman (D-DE)
and the moderate Republican – Arlen Specter (R-PA)”
I also posted the same quote from John Kerry on the Ellen thread (page 6).
Comment by Tim — March 26, 2009 @ 2:37 pm
Yeah, even though there were some depressing vibes form HRC, I think the article makes a good point about strategy. The HIV travel/immigration ban was passed, though not yet implemented, because it was attached to the larger AIDS legislation. Therefore, attaching the UAFA with the CIR makes sense. Besides, HRC is too distracted with ENDA and Hate Crimes to see real change. They should stick to throwing cocktail parties. They are so out of touch with our needs.
Comment by nola — March 26, 2009 @ 2:40 pm
Those celebrities are the worst. They got money, they really don’t care about us. Now, they lose all the money on the stock market, they always cry about it on the Show or lose a Dog, they cry about it in front of the audience, Once the camera shut down, they are another person. They are so fake, I just learn that.
No one mention about UAFA… except Brad Pitt. he said if everyone can marry in this country, he can angel will get marry.
Where is Sean Penn? Preze hilton? Ellen?? Rachel?? Rosie O Donald?? Oprah?? Where are they????
“probably, we all should give them 20millions deal with them, they will stand up for us”.
I feel sorry for Harvey Milk… He sacrified himself to the Gay Community, but, no one can follow his footstep or respect him…
I am getting more frustration not only i live here for 9 years in the Dark… I frustration, where is our right?? This country is running backward, i feel like back to 1960, if they know you are gay, they will kill you. We all pay Federal Tax, City Tax but, no benifit. and seems like “White” and “Color” Door. We are the one in “COLOR”. 2nd class citizen.
Comment by Ken — March 26, 2009 @ 2:51 pm
Ken mentioning Sean Penn reminded me that it might be worthwhile to check again for the contacts of Gus Van Sant, Penn and the screenwriter, and write in and see if they would be happy to support us. Nothing ventured, nothing gained!
Comment by Tim — March 26, 2009 @ 2:55 pm
we would love them to support us, but, Will they??
No sign for Ellen or Rosie.. Do u think they will?
Comment by Ken — March 26, 2009 @ 3:08 pm
They might not but if we don’t approach them we won’t know. As I said, Ellen’s silence so far is a bit disappointing but perhaps it’s early days yet and perhaps the threads need to reach 10 pages and more before they get noticed; it’s hard to say really. Would be interesting to know if she actually reads the forums herself or if her staff cherry-pick topics for her.
Comment by Tim — March 26, 2009 @ 3:14 pm
We have to write her emails ( story suggestions for the show about UAFA).
The forum must be moderated by someone, it’s likely that the themes are passed on, but I think we shouldn’t forget that community members are reading them, which is hopefully publicity for our cause, as the Ellen Community must be gay-friendly.
Kevin mentioned in the comments of the last blog entry the idea of a place where we could post videos. I think it’s crucial that we use media like Youtube which can reach millions at a time. Also,videos require no effort from the viewer.
Comment by Lee — March 26, 2009 @ 3:50 pm
Here is a link to an amazing video…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRMlpeP8M5A
it is part of a larger project called “13 LOVE STORIES” which focuses specifically on the affects of Prop 8 in California.
http://13lovestories.com/
We need a multimedia project like this focused specifically on the personal stories of bi-national couples torn apart by US immigration policy.
Comment by Craig — March 26, 2009 @ 4:33 pm
I have been following the issues on IE for 3 years, and honestly have sort of gave up hopes, because if you look and think deeper. It sort of like a country that needs to be in a war, you win some battles, but don’t really want the war to be over, at least not too soon, because the soldiers and the generals will loose their jobs.
As history tells us, revolutions start and must involve the people. The people, each of them, do have the power that they did not realize. There will be a Harvey Milk once in several decades, but it was the people who made him Harvey Milk.
We must organize ourselves and march on the streets. Licking our wounds, listening and reading false hopes, particularly from people with agendas, will slow down and eventually kill the quests and our spirits.
Comment by Nick — March 26, 2009 @ 4:34 pm
I was not trying to be negative about things.
But the frustration grows…..
Comment by Nick — March 26, 2009 @ 4:36 pm
I agree with you, Nick. Sometimes, i think American really got Spoil. They don’t know, how to FIGHT for it. Looks France & Italy, If they don’t feel fair from the government, Company..etc They will protest, shut down everything, stop working for a week or two.
We don’t have that here, if something done wrong. they only blame the president, nobody else. or Suck over it, and do nothing.
Now, we need to forcus on our right, Don’t behind anybody else, and attract more SMART, Responsible, Gay people moving back to the country. Their partner can pay tax, ….. as i always mention, Our government is stupid. Immigration really need to reform, 20 million illegal immigrants here, eyes on them paid $300 tax a month. get it?? how much tax it gonnabe??? Cut all welfare, Push everyone back to work, not spoil them just crying for everything, not stay home watch TV and collect S.S.
Comment by ken — March 26, 2009 @ 4:55 pm
I think we should write to Tyra Banks too. She has covered a lot of lgbt issues on her past shows. Although her show does not garner as high a rating as Ellen and Oprah, I think if you have the time to spare, then it is definitely worth giving it a try. Let’s keep it rolling..
Comment by Simon M — March 26, 2009 @ 4:58 pm
Let’s not forget the ladies at The View. They usually cover a lot of topics in one show, surely they can squeeze in a few minutes on this issue…
Comment by Kyle — March 26, 2009 @ 5:22 pm
Thank you, Ken.
I think we’ve been so used to “sucking it up.”
A while ago, someone wrote about Rosa Parks and all the Black people mobilized. How long will it take for us to do something? Don’t we know, people basically care about themselves, unless they will get something out of it. We, those who are being discriminated must work for our own rights.
If 1/10 of the population is gay, what an impact it would be if we boycott, or not go to work for days. Why do we still tolerate all these unfair treatment for all these years?
Those so-called Celebrities won’t bother helping us, unless they are the one suffering also.
If people protested outside the AIG people’s houses, shouldn’t we do something in D.C. I will definitely go. But we need a big group.
Comment by Nick — March 26, 2009 @ 5:45 pm
To all, FYI, the whole topic of Oprah yesterday was on Lesbians. I’m just not so sure what impact it would have on UAFA or any gay/lesbian mov’t. There was a unique twist in that the women featured “developed” their attraction to women later in life, weakening the idea that gay and lesbian persons are essentially born the way they are. Anyone have a good link or email addy to write to Oprah, let me/us know and it’s done!!! Write baby write!!!
Comment by Joe — March 26, 2009 @ 6:18 pm
In addition to my Senators and Rep, I’ve written to Rachel Maddow, Ellen and Oprah… trying to get some mainstream publicity on this legislation. So many people who are not involved in a binational relationship or have friends or family affected have no idea what goes on. We need to get the word out to the non-gay community… to people that don’t know what is going on.
Comment by Sandy — March 26, 2009 @ 8:27 pm
Here’s the Oprah contact I used .. it is supposed to go to the Producers as an idea for an Oprah show, which would be awesome if we can get her to do a show on the stories of what same-sex binational couples face. https://www.oprah.com/ord/plugform.jsp?plugId=216
Comment by Sandy — March 26, 2009 @ 8:33 pm
It certainly would, Sandy! Talk shows, talks by VIPS and so on should enhance recognition of conditions we are effaced with. I am ready, although I am not a VIP.
I am very, very proud to be with my husband. He and I haven’t been experiened with arguments, hatred espressed or any kind of negativity by my community, by my colleagues in school and school administrations, nor by friends. I don’t know what the problem is with all this stuff and why it’s taking so long…
I am tired of being put to silence. That is not right. We need our voices lifted at ONE ACCORD and express ourselves who we really are.
Our gayness and lesbianness (if these words exist) is about living happy and colorful lives. That’s the truth about us.
Much love and God bless everyone.
Comment by Michael — March 26, 2009 @ 9:10 pm
Do you know Obama has 19 gay staff & work for him?
http://www.gaypolitics.com/tag/shin-inouye/
Now, we need to forcus to contact with those people. Let’s go online to research Obama’s Gay Team.
Comment by ken — March 26, 2009 @ 9:56 pm
Me and My partner are together for almost 6years now and against all of odds, YES we still together, LOVE is what keep us together. It is time for this legislation to pass, this is a civil right issue that has been neglected for too long!
We will fell a relieve to have our relationship somehow recognized, problably will be like remove 1000Lb from our shoulders, and for the first time we will be able to really enjoy and joy our life together.
I am tired ! ! !
The Time is NOW ! ! !
I would like to say THANKS for the IMMIGRATION EQUALITY GROUP.
Comment by RJ — March 27, 2009 @ 5:46 am
Thanks, Ken, for that last link.
Has anybody written to Gaypolitics.com to suggest publicizing our stories on their site? I searched the site and found no mention of UAFA!
gaypolitics(at)victoryfund(dot)org
Also found this: “If you have a question, comment or would like to submit a guest column, please contact GayPolitics.com’s editor, Dan Miller, at gaypolitics(at)victoryfund(dot)org”
According to their About page, one of the purposes of the blog is commentary on current events. Let’s give them something to blog about!
Comment by TheHeatIsOn — March 27, 2009 @ 6:14 am
If, from Gaypolitics.com, you visit the link to the Gay & Lesbian Leadership Institute, http://www.glli.org/presidential, you will find this list :
As of now, the following LGBT leaders have secured spots in the Obama administration:
*Anthony Bernal – Scheduler, Office of Dr. Jill Biden
*Jeremy Bernard – White House Liaison, National Endowment for the Humanities
*John Berry – Director-Designate, Office of Personnel Management
*Brian Bond – Deputy Director, White House Office of Public Liaison
*Ebs Burnough – Deputy Social Secretary, Office of the First Lady
*Michael Camunez – Domestic Policy Cluster Head, Presidential Personnel
*Brook Colangelo – Chief Information Officer, White House Office of Administration
*Jeffrey S. Crowley, MPH, Director of Office of National AIDS Policy
*Marisa Dameo – Associate Judge, DC Superior Court
*Fred Davie – Policy Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships
*Fred Hochberg – Chairman-Designate, U.S. Export-Import Bank
*Shin Inouye – Director, Specialty Media
*Elaine Kaplan – General Counsel, Office of Personnel Management
*Brad Kiley – Director, White House Office of Management and Administration
*Kei Koizumi – Assistant Director for Federal Research and Development, Office of Science and Technology Policy
*Karine Jean-Pierre – White House Liaison, U.S. Department of Labor
*Kathy Martinez – Assistant Secretary of Disability Employment Policy, Department of Labor
*David Medina – Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of the First Lady
*Alison Nathan – Assoc. Counsel, Office of White House Counsel
*Dave Noble – White House Liaison, National Aeronautics and Space Administration
*Mark Perriello – Director of Priority Placement, Presidential Personnel
*Campbell Spencer – Regional Director, Office of Political Affairs
*Nancy Sutley � Chair, White House Council on Environmental Quality
*Moe Vela – Director of Operations, Office of the Vice President
Comment by TheHeatIsOn — March 27, 2009 @ 6:32 am
oops, after Nancy Sutley is just a -
She is the Chair, White House Council on Environmental Quality
Anyone care to search for their contact info?
In addition, I just want to say how excited I am when I open up this blog and read your contributions and see your efforts! It really does give this whole thing a human face!
Comment by TheHeatIsOn — March 27, 2009 @ 6:40 am
I just wrote to http://www.glli.org/presidential, and asked them why there was no mention of UAFA on their site and their gay brothers and sisters need their support also, and if they haven’t sponcered the UAFA can they please do so! I also attached the video of my partner and my family.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRPgBCnLLRk
I will do anything to get the message across, as you said TheHeatIsOn I am trying to put a Human face on it!
Comment by Kev UK — March 27, 2009 @ 10:34 am
Good summary of our agenda: http://ontopmag.com/article.aspx?id=3526&MediaType=1&Category=26
Comment by Rick — March 27, 2009 @ 11:03 am
@ heatison, great list. I’ll sit down tomorrow and email some or all of them if i can find their contacts. @ rick, thanks for that article, keeps my hopes afloat that things will change for the better for the LGBT community in the US.
Comment by Tim — March 27, 2009 @ 11:41 am
i am so Senator, Rep already support the bill. but, we do need to tell them our stories and make them work more harder.
Write your story and fax it to them. it’s better than mail it, that mean they won’t just put the envelope away without looking at it.
The gay politic, it’s hard to find any contact info, because some work at white house, some work at sort of federal department, be honest, they really can do nothing. now, we need to fax it to all rep and senator because they represent us.
Tammy Baldwin fax 1-202-225-6942
Barney Frank fax 1-202-225-0182
jared Polis fax 1-202-225-2161
John kerry fax 1-202-225-4188
Nancy Pelosi fax 1-202-224-8525
if you know more other Rep or senator, please post it. Our power put it together, it can change 35,000 couples life
Comment by Ken — March 27, 2009 @ 12:00 pm
..Done .Sent to “Oprah”.but, who knows who sees what and how cherry picked anything is ?….
to earlier post, (re: celebrities)……
1) they are all about promoting themselves and how they will benefit from it
2)also i tend to feel that once an “issue” is out there “they” will then join/jump on it once they “test” the public/sentinment so to speak once they see the way the wind will blow on an issue then they jump on stuff…..
just my observation.now Im gonna contradict myself here.also a though
would’nt “CINDY LAUPER” be a good one to hit up? she’s very pro gay etc etc etc
Comment by derek — March 27, 2009 @ 1:13 pm
I think that if we have a mailing address or fax number, that a hand written letter would be much better. It shows that their actual people behind this cause.
Comment by nola — March 27, 2009 @ 2:24 pm
We are supposedly approx. 35,000 bi-national same-sex couples. That makes 70,000 persons.
If everyone were active, they couldn’t overlook us.
The media can’t ignore 70,000 emails / letters / phonecalls. Neither can Congressmen.
The problem is that just a handful of us is being active and that’s just not enough!
How are we supposed to get through to them if only a handful of us is active?
70,000 is a big number which can’t be overlooked that easily if we’re all visible and in action.
I also have the feeling that we are too splintered, there must be a place where we all can organize and communicate. I get information and news from too many different sites and organizations.
What do you think?
Comment by Lee — March 27, 2009 @ 2:26 pm
If anyone is in or around LA tomorrow, there is going to be an Immigration Rights rally.
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/node/41130
Comment by nola — March 27, 2009 @ 2:30 pm
Cindy Lauper is a great idea. We were also thinking about Kanye West and Perez Hilton. We could also contact Sebastian Cordoba, the guy who made the ‘Through thick and thin’ documentary.
What if we call the radio stations on their call- in shows?
And please, don’t forget to push the three Ellen threads….
And again, many people suggested us to use Youtube. It has a incredible reach and is one of the largest new media.
Comment by Lee — March 27, 2009 @ 2:32 pm
My friend in Lincoln is going to try get the email and postal address of all 19 LGBT staff over the weekend and I’ll share them with you if we can get them together. We should then make a coordinated effort of sending off letters and emails to all 19 of them. I’ll be printing my letters sometime next week and post them from the UK – hopefully they’ll not toss them into the bin right away. Let’s not forget those Dems on the Judiciary Committee in the House too!
Comment by Tim — March 27, 2009 @ 3:02 pm
Just to clarify: I meant the 19 LGBT staff/politicians in Obama’s administration.
Comment by Tim — March 27, 2009 @ 3:05 pm
Perhaps we should contact gay groups such as “Asian and Friends,” “Long Yang Club(?),” all the Stone Wall Centers, the GLBT centers websites, etc… to rally for more support and awareness.
I even posted the UAFA issue on the classified sites of OutinUSA under sections of couples looking for friends. (a little inappropriate, but worth a try)
Also, we probably should write to the editors of all local gay gazettes (those circulate bi-monthly, like Washington Blade). All major cities should have one or two of these gay gazettes or free newspaper.
Oh, we can even make our own posters, or fliers, and post them on the bullet boards of gay cafes.
Thoughts??
Comment by Tokoshi — March 27, 2009 @ 3:30 pm
The above are ideas to spread the words and get more support. We need to let all these 35,000 bi-national same-sex couples know about this bill and need to have them all work on these!!
Comment by Tokoshi — March 27, 2009 @ 3:32 pm
Thankyou Tim,
Once you got their mail address or fax number. please post it. so, 70000mail to this, 70000mail to that. it’s gonnabe a Great Big Change and moving forward
Comment by Ken — March 27, 2009 @ 3:37 pm
That’s the spirit!
Comment by TheHeatIsOn — March 27, 2009 @ 3:51 pm
On another note:
We are concerned about the level of animosity we are registering on other sites. In the comments, there is a lot of anti-immigrant sentiment, mostly against illegals, but people are misreading (perhaps intentionally) our cause.
Two postings from Change.org:
1) Is the “Uniting American Families Act of 2009″ misnamed? And are we really talking about “Families” here, or merely “Homosexual Couples”? Would the act be better named as the “Uniting Foreign-American Homosexual Couples Act of 2009″.
2) “…I am glad to see someone so long overdue finally being deported.. now lets get teh other 13 million of them out of here as well.”
This was on change.org. You can imagine what they are saying elsewhere.
We simply desire to keep our families together, just as heterosexuals can, but as soon as people hear the word “immigration” they associate us with Oliveira(different issue) and 12 million illegal immigrants.
UAFA is totally misunderstood out there.
What can we DO?
Comment by TheHeatIsOn — March 27, 2009 @ 4:32 pm
..yes there is the rally tomorrow in L.A..
Im going!….I’ll be there.support the latinos .in turn they will support us
(follow up note to the post re “other” postings on change.org and alike,.as usual it’s the same people “WHO HAVE NVER HAD DEAL WITH OR TOUCH let alone interact with the system..they are the ones that the only governmental institution they deal with regualrly is the “I.R.S.”.they have no clue how bad it is yet they have an opinion about this)
Comment by derek — March 27, 2009 @ 4:40 pm
Tim is right: let’s target members on the House Judiciary Committee as well.
Comment by Rick — March 27, 2009 @ 4:45 pm
Congressional Recess is coming up in two weeks. It is the best time to meet your Representative and Senators face to face.
http://www.immigrationforum.org/images/uploads/Campaign/CAbbott/GrassrootsActionKit.pdf
Comment by nola — March 27, 2009 @ 5:28 pm
Before I finally get some sleep, saw this update on Facebook from Out4Immigration:
” Congressional Recess is happening in 2 weeks… That means from Apr 5th to Apr 19th, your congressional representative (Both House Rep and Senators) will be in town to meet people from their districts and hear issues that concerns them.
There is a big push right now from a whole host of immigrant organization to start scheduling meetings with their representatives to push for Comprehensive Immigration Reform. I attended a teleconference call yesterday put together by NAKASEC & National Immigration Forum about this issue.
Out4Immigration is trying to schedule a visit in SF Bay Area and possibly SoCal with our congressional rep including Lofgren, Pelosi, Speier, Honda, Boxer & Feinstein.
Are you able to do the same in your own district? The steps are simple and the toolkit is attached here: http://www.immigrationforum.org/images/uploads/Campaign/CAbbott/GrassrootsActionKit.pdf (please note that the toolkit is created with CIR in mind – use the same steps and advocate for the passage of UAFA and also make sure that if CIR is introduced, UAFA is included)
While it is best if you could get a few organizations together to the meeting, it would be beneficial to use this opportunity when they are in town to just pay them a visit, tell you story and urge them to do the following:
If they have signed on to UAFA
- Thank them for signing on (this is incredibly important: to thank our supporters)
- Explain why this is important to you and your familyAsk if there is any way you could help support this bill and ensure its passage
- Ask them to urge their fellow members who have not signed on to sponsor this bill (remember, they have all worked together so sometimes, it is just a simple “Hey, I just spoke to a member of my district and he is affected by this issue, can you consider sponsoring this bill”)
- Tell them that you understand that there might be a comprehensive immigration reform bill being introduced in congress and that you hope that UAFA will be included in the bill (in words if not in spirit) and/or that the definition of families be expanded to include LGBT families.
- MAKE SURE TO GET THEIR BUSINESS CARD.
If they have not signed on to UAFA:
- Explain why this is important to you and your family
- Ask if there is any reason why they have not signed on.
- Tell them that the bill has the support of American Bar Association, Asian Pacific American Legal Center and Washington Post amongst others
- Tell them that you understand that there might be a comprehensive immigration reform bill being introduced in congress and that you hope that UAFA will be included in the bill (in words if not in spirit) and/or that the definition of families be expanded to include LGBT families.
- MAKE SURE TO GET THEIR BUSINESS CARD.
Can you do it?
Can you call your representative up and ask for an appointment? It is really simple and easy!
If you are nervous, please know that we will work with you every step of the way to help you through it. We will also provide you with a packet that you can bring to the meeting.
You’ll be suprised how easy it will be.
Please send me an email at amos@out4immigration.org and let me know. I will work with you to schedule the meeting and get ready for the meeting.
Your personal story is THE SINGLE MOST EFFECTIVE TOOL WE HAVE.
The time is now…. Keep the pressure on and let’s get UAFA passed!!!
regards,
Amos Lim”
Re: comments on change.org (of all places!), the best we can do is counter those charges every time and wherever we can.
Comment by Tim — March 27, 2009 @ 5:29 pm
Dagnabit, why are you always faster than me, nola? not fair (lol)
catch up with you all tomorrow!
Comment by Tim — March 27, 2009 @ 5:30 pm
Just watched a PBS special on immigration tonight.
There are very strong anti-illegal immigrants demonstrations.
I seriously think that we SHOULD NOT attach UAFA with CIR. There’s a bigger chance to get UAFA pass by itself. Our case number is much much smaller than the illegal immigrants….
Comment by Shawn — March 27, 2009 @ 9:56 pm
Here is a list of all that co-sponsored last year and has yet to co-sponsor this yr
Senators
Maria Cantwell WA
Robert Casy Pa
Edward Kennedy Ma
Congressional
Thomas Allen Me 1
Joe Baca Ca 43
Corrine Brown Fl 3
James Clyburn Sc 6
Joe Courtney Ct 6
Elijah Cummings Md 7
Diane Degette Co 1
Rosa Delaura Ct 3
Keith Ellison Mn 5
Al Green Tx 9
Kathy Caster Fl 11
Henry Johnson Ga 4
Jay Inlee Wa 1
Jesse Jackson Jr Il 2
Patrick Kennedy Ri 1
Tom lantos Ca 12
Martin Meehan Ma 5
Jim Mcdermott Wa 7
Michael McNulty Ny 21
Kendrick Meek Fl 17
Brad Miller Nc 13
Frank Pallone Nj 6
Laura Richardson Ca 37
Bobby Rush Il 1
Allyson Schwartz Pa 13
Chris Shays Ct 4
Adam Smith Wa 9
Hilda Solis Ca 32
Edolphus Towns Ny 10
Mark Udall Co 2
Diane Watson Ca 33
Comment by Jim — March 30, 2009 @ 8:51 pm
Here’s the few names that we can contact also;
Rob Andrews (D-NJ)
http://www.house.gov/andrews/con …
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL)
http://ros-lehtinen.house.gov/Si …
Robert Brady (D-PA)
http://www.brady.house.gov/
Kathy Castor (D-FL)
http://castor.house.gov/Contact/
Charles Gonzalez (D-TX)
http://www.gonzalez.house.gov/in …
Patrick Kennedy (D-RI)
http://patrickkennedy.house.gov/
Mary Jo Kilroy (D-OH)
http://www.kilroyforcongress.com …
Zoe Lofgren (D-CA)
http://lofgren.house.gov/emailfo …
Patrick Murphy (D-PA)
http://www.patrickmurphy.house.g …
Frank Pallone (D-NJ)
http://www.house.gov/pallone/con …
Joe Sestak (D-PA)
http://www.sestak.house.gov/cont …
Edolphus Towns (D-NY)
http://www.house.gov/towns/offic …
They are all members of the LGBT Equality Caucus so they should definitely show their suppors for the UAFA bill.
Comment by Simon M — April 3, 2009 @ 1:38 pm
Hello – We are the type of couple this legislation is effecting. I will not return to the USA without my Korean partner. I miss the US but I love him more. Please do what you can. Thanks.
Comment by William — April 3, 2009 @ 9:47 pm
As of Nov. 10, 2009, there were 118 co-sponsors in the House and 22 in the Senate.
Comment by Peter Uafa — November 11, 2009 @ 1:55 pm