Vermont already grants civil unions (but not “marriage”) to same-sex couples, giving them all the lovely rights and benefits when it comes to death and taxes as straights. But one glaring loophole? If your wannabe same-sex husband or wife is a foreign national, you’re going to face quite a fight to keep ’em in the country. Vermont’s Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy wants that to change.
So he’s introducing federal legislation that would grant same-sex couples composed of one American and one foreigner the same rights as couples made up of two citizens. Naturally, opponents argue Leahy’s just trying to get us on the path toward federal recognition of gay marriage. Reports Vermont Public Radio:
(Jones) Senator Patrick Leahy has introduced legislation amending immigration law to include provisions for a permanent partnership. It’s called the Uniting American Families Act.
(Leahy) “If you’re married in a heterosexual relationship, you can get special visas to bring your spouse here to the U.S., if one is a U.S. citizen, I’m trying to do it for a same sex couple in a committed relationship.”
(Reporter Whitney JonesJones) Some Republicans like Senator John Cornyn of Texas don’t like the proposal. They cite the Defense of Marriage Act which defines marriage as between a man and a woman.
(Texas Sen. John Cornyn) “Well I think we should preserve and protect the institution of marriage because it creates an environment where children can be raised by two loving parents and I think they’re better off in the long run under those circumstances.”
(Jones) Senator Leahy says he doesn’t see the bill as a step towards gay marriage. He calls it a step towards basic fairness.
(Leahy) “I don’t see it as endangering marriage. My wife and I have been married for 46 years and I don’t think my putting in the legislation suddenly is putting my marriage at risk.”
(Jones) Leahy says marriage should be left up to the individual states and the bill would not affect any state law.
Kruse, the advocate, says they’re not looking for marriage rights.
(Immigration Equality spokesperson Julia Kruse) “What we’re asking is for to end government discrimination in the immigration arena against gay and lesbian couples and we’re asking for gay and lesbian couples to have the same immigration rights as straight couples do.”
Flex
Great!
GayBobVT
While I have no reason to believe he’s against it, I don’t believe Senator Leahy has expressed an opinion on gay marriage.
Donsnyc
Although I think this would be an excellent idea and kudos to Senator Leahy, the chances for this bill to pass would be from zero to none.
Sebbe
I’m much more concerned with this bill than marriage to be honest. Of course we already have marriage in Mass., but, I have been affected by this previously and no many bi-national gay couples who are affected by this.
InExile
Living in exile is no picnic I can assure you of that! My life is riding on this bill getting passed. After 14 years together my partner and I had to sell our home in Los Angeles and move to France because of no way to renew his work visa and no way for him to get a green card. At least we are together which is better than many same sex bi-national couples that are forced to separate. Please write you congressman and senators and ask them to support the Uniting American Families Act. Please.
Muscato
I’ve been overseas for 11 years, six with my non-American partner; we would love to be able at least to think about resettling in the U.S. I find it bizarre that I can get open-ended, work-privilege visas in some of the most repressive countries in the world – albeit not based on my partnership status – but that I can’t be in the U.S. with my family for more than a few weeks at a time…
Alexa
I think he’s sensible keeping this bill as far away from marriage as possible. I still doubt it will pass, but if it actually recognized overseas marriages it would have zero chance. Citizens can currently sponsor any close family member for a green card, so it doesn’t have to be about marriage at all.
Steve
We are in the same situation, my partner American, me British, recently settled in Vancouver but longing to return to our life back in Denver. Lost the will to live with politicians and have little confidence in Obama as much as we had in Bush. We live in hope that the US comes to its senses like many other “civilized” countries out there but we aren’t holding our breath any more.
Dennis
Oh my God, it seems many people in US, they don’t know that many bi-national gay & lesbian couples forced to be separated or forced to move to other countries because the US Immigration does not give the immigration rights to the same sex partner from overseas. Those people do not realize how hard it is if you have no way to stay together with the one you love legally in a country.
I do hope that bill can pass this year, although it may be remoted.
Charles J. Mueller
My Philippine partner and I are one of the some 40,000 bi-national couples that are separated for great periods of time.
While we have a home in the Philippines, being the owner of a business prevents me from being able to live outside if the country for more than a few months at a time and this puts a terrible strain on our relationship and a heavy burden on our finances.
I have no problem with spending part of my year in the Philippines, but we’d both be much happier if he could be with me when I must be in the states.
moshe rabeynu
IF THERE IS ANYTHING THAT THE U.S. NEEDS AT THIS TIME IT IS A GRAND INFLUX OF FOREIGN QUEERS UNDER THE GUISE OF SPOUSES OF BLUE BLOODED AMERICAN QUEERS. THE U.S. COULD BECOME ONE BIG TUKHIS SHTUPPERS PARADISE.
strumpetwindsock
@moshe rabeynu: I’m not American, but that is one fucked-up attitude toward immigration policy. Just what is a blue-blooded American queer, and why do you have a problem with shtupping anyway?
And excuse me for getting personal, but given your name I would think you’d be a bit more aware of the dangers of racist discrimination.
Charles J. Mueller
@strumpetwindsock:
“but given your name I would think you’d be a bit more aware of the dangers of racist discrimination.”
My exact same thoughts, Strumpet. The remark reeks of straight homophobia and discrimination.
The fact that he felt the need to shout his message at us in caps also says something not only about his lack of computer etiquette but a seeming lack of concern for others besides himself.
Not exactly a live and let live attitude, for sure.
moshe rabeynu
VERILY DO I SAY UNTO THEE: COVETETH NOT THY NEIGHBOR’S ANUS AND SEEKETH NOT TO TEMPT HIM WITH YOUR OWN TIGHT LITTLE BUMHOLE. SUCKETH AND LICKETH NOT THY NEIGHBOR’S PENIS AND TESTICLES.
strumpetwindsock
@moshe rabeynu:
Well you should have said that in the first place, my dear; now we know where you’re coming from.
But for someone who claims to be against gay sex you sure write about it in florid and descriptive language. You forgot to mention that God doesn’t like running your tongue around the head and nibbling it gently with your teeth either.
Sure you’re not just a little bit tempted yourself? Cause reading that last commanding declaration it sure sounds like it.
Charles J. Mueller
@strumpetwindsock:
Not only that, he seems to have a lisping problem as well. 😉
moshe rabeynu
And verily do I sayeth unto thee that thou shouldst not packeth thy neighbor’s fudge nor by thy neighbor have thy fudge be packed. Shoveth not thy fist up thy neighbor’s entrails and feedeth not on his seed and thine will be the Kingdom of Heaven.
strumpetwindsock
@moshe rabeynu:
Yes, of course it will be the Kingdom of Heaven, darling.
Can I get your phone number, now?
moshe rabeynu
BEND OVER AND SPREAD YOUR CHEEKS, MOSHE IS COMING YOU LUCKY DEVILS!
Melina
Well, my girlfriend is from South America and we love each other very much. She is here on a tourist visa and we keep renewing this visa. I love her more than my life and want to marry and have a family with her, but even if I marry her she will never be able to stay in this country permanently. I think it will be more detrimental to us if I marry her cause at least now she is able to extend her tourist visa. But once we get a legal union, and try to apply for visa that way, she probably will be deny any extentions of her tourist visa just because we are lesbians.
It is a non win situation because I can’t move to her country either. I have a daughter and share custody of her with my ex husband and is not way in hell he will let me leave the country with my daughter. This is what what the goverment is doing to same sex couples who love each other very much and want to be together.
Sam
@Alexa: You wrote “it doesn’t have to be about marriage at all.”
BUT
It HAS to be about same-sex long-term/permanent partners. There is no other way for a lesbian or gay citizen to bring her/his partner along.
Sam
what is tukhis shtupping anyway?
Sorry, that must be a foreign language, and obviously Moshe is not a “foreigner” or he/she wouldn’t be so upset about immigration law.