I belong to the group of people who would benefit from the UAFA .. my partner and I form a binational couple, with one being a US citizen, the other not. Its frustrating .. things are moving, but slowly – this issue does not carry much political weight for the administration or Congress.

I am happy for Shirley Tan and her family, no family should have to face separation or moving to another country to live together "in exile". Having to Live in exile has destroyed the life we spent years building in Los Angeles. We moved to France 3 years ago and our life is hell here! But at least we are together.

When I read the article in People, my first thought was – why are they bothering this nice family? Aren't there enough real bad guys out there? You know, the terrorists, drug dealers, child abusers and murderes?? Such a waste of time and very sad for the family. I wish them all the best.

Surely the lack of immigration rights could be challenged under the equal protections clause of the 14th Amendment? Why hasn't it been?

@tavdy79: There's a District of Massachusetts case pending (DOMA challenge) that might have an impact. The complaint is here: http://www.glad.org/uploads/do.....-03-09.pdf

@tavdy79: Oh, btw, it is actually the 5th amendment; analysis is basically the same, but the 14th amendment only applies to the states.

@tavdy79: The reason it has not been challenged because courts tend to go the way of the laws in regard to immigration. Also, if you challenged the law, it shows intent to stay which is grounds for deportation. Usually when someone is deported, they cannot return to the US for 10 years even as a tourist. The stakes are too high to take a chance and challenge the law.

My partner had a work permit ready to expire, we had two choices, separate or move to another country. We have been together for 14 years.

@InExile: How'd you guys end up in France? Is that where he's from?

@Alec: Yes, he is French.

@Alec: I@InExile: my partner and I are in the same predicament. He's a successful businessman from Italy, and I'm a successful (or was) a successful Engineer here in the states. When we first got together 4 years ago we lived apart for 1.5 years and decided we couldn't do it anymore. He left his job and his life to move here to be with me. In Italy, we would live a life of ridicule based on our relationship. We've had to get him a student visa which allows him to pursue another college degree, but once he graduates we'll be in a rut. Recently I was laid off from a major oil company, but we have enough in savings to get us through for about 6 months. Hopefully, I find something before then. He's been unable to get sponsored for a work permit. I know they have lots of things to well over in Washington, but I hope this one gets signed, and fast….

You know what? This makes me angry. At the same time they are passing bills to keep illegal aliens in the states, the federal government is preparing to deport THOUSANDS of legal aliens in the CNMI.

These are families with children. They came here legally. They have kept legal by the law all of their time here and just because the Feds have decided to change the goalposts, they will be deported back to countries they haven't lived in for more than 20 years.

Case in point is a woman I know. She is from the Federated States of Micronesian. FSM citizens can live and work in the US without a visa. She is married to a Filipino man. Under CNMI immigration law, she is eligible to apply for an IR permit for her husband and for the last 20 years he has lived in the CNMI. They have 5 children, all born here in the CNMI which means they are all US citizens. Within a year, the feds will deport the husband since he is ineligible to have any status under the new federalization of CNMI immigration law. That is just one case of thousands.

May I suggest that you put your effort into truly ensuring immigration equality for all and that starts with first making sure that those who play by the rules are not destroyed.

Hello.

I am a heterosexual man who has been married for 14 years. We have 2 sons.

So I must admit, I have gay friends! I also must admit, I have no comprehension on how allowing gay and lesbian couples to be married affects me in a negative way. No really, I do not see how it affects me. I cannot fathom it. Do I lose any benefits? Uh no. Do I not get to call my wife, well my wife? Uh no. Does it make me less of a man? Uh no. Does it invalidate my marriage? Uh no.

Oh I know, do I even care that gay and lesbian couples get the right to marry? Hell yes I do. We live in the 21st century, we need EQUAL RIGHTS for everyone NOW.

I feel really bad for anyone who does not get the same rights that I do. Keep up the good fight and my wife and I will continue to help out anyway we can.

One last thing. Let Shirley Tan stay in America. Her and so many other families deserve it.

Thank you for reading my rant.

I am replying on the UAFA to pass too, we desperately want to be able to live together. We are constantly flying to and from. We want to settle down, I want to start my career and have a family. Please change this cruel law!!! We just want what any other couple want!

I finally got it…. This is the one issue that confirms that we gays are third-class citizens and that our countries (the ones that don't allow foreign partners to immigrate) don't care one bit about us as human beings.

It took awhile to let it sink in. I don't know why I didn't get it when Reagan kept silent while thousands of us died miserable deaths and the rest of us were terrified of suffering the same fate. Could it be that we internalized the discrimination?

I have no more space for anti-gay rhetoric and discrimination. I feel I've reached the same degree of up-to-hereness that African-Americans reached in the sixties.

Enough of the ignorance, and enough of the cruelty. Give us the same damned rights as you have whether you're enlightened enough to know we didn't "choose" to be gay or not.

Enough!