THE SHOT — DailyKos blogger “smellybeast” with her girlfriend on holiday in Hawaii, a happier time before she had to decide whether to leave the United States because her partner, a British citizen, cannot remain in the United States after her work visa expires.
InExile
This is a real problem for same sex couples. Yesterday, a immigration reform bill was introduced in the congress, us gays were led to believe we would be included to gain our support but when the bill was introduced, gays were NOT INCLUDED. I have heard the CATHOLIC CHURCH had us removed. This bill will help illegal immigrants gain a visa but does nothing to address same sex couples who cannot get a visa for their partners.
Why should I, an American citizen not be able to sponsor my partner of 15 years for a visa while laws are introduced to legalize illegal immigrants? My partner did not want to be illegal so we moved to France from LA 3 and a half years ago.
LoveMoby
I haven’t heard of the UAFA being removed as yet. This is just the start. There will be a lot of negociations before this is through.
I know it’s tough man but at least youre both together in France. My partner and I are prob going to have to be apart for a year before we can be together again.
Once we leave we refuse to come back until the laws are equal.
InExile
#2 Forget UAFA, it will never pass unless it is included in another bill just like Mathew Sheppard Act was put in the Defense Bill. UAFA has been reintroduced for the past 10 years and it gets lots of co-sponsors but goes nowhere.
We were led to believe the bill yesterday would include UAFA language but we got thrown under the bus. The only way UAFA can pass is if it is included in Comprehensive Immigration Reform and thus far it is not.
schlukitz
No. 2 · LoveMoby
My Filipino partner and I have been separated, on and off, for seven years now. 🙁
LoveMoby
#1 Just got confirmation that the CIR bill does not include any legislation for GLBT Americans. I’m absolutely disgusted with the dems and what they arent doing for us. Problem is, they know we dont have a choice. What are we going to do, vote for the other guys who want to erase us off the planet? I’m just really disapointed with the dems….seriously.
LoveMoby
No. 4 I’m sorry you and your partner have been separated. It’s unfair and it shouldnt happen. Good luck to both of you.
InExile
#1-6
Hey guys,
Notice almost no comments here? We really are on our own it seems. Most gays seem not to care or don’t know anything about this issue because we are such a small group within the lgbt community. It really sucks.
schlukitz
No. 6 · LoveMoby and No. 7 · InExile
Thank you for your kind thoughts, LoveMoby. It’s appreciated.
InExile, his partner and I have become very close friends as a result of our estrangement with the US over Immigration for same-sex bi-national couples. We try to provide emotional support for each other when the going gets really rough as it has in recent months and we are glad that you have joined in the conversation with us.
As InExile so correctly observes, we are really on our own due to the fact that we aqe such a small group within the LGBT community and while sharing our common frustration and sadness with each other will probably not change the existing laws, at least we have each other to share our feelings and thoughts with and that helps immeasurably.
I am sure that I speak for InExile as well, when I say that I am sorry that you and your partner are also separated by this very unfair withholding of civil-rights from bi-national, same-sex couples.
Thanks for joining us on this thread, LoveMoby. We certainly do hope that you will continue posting and sharing your experiences with us.
Robert, NYC
Ironic that the Brits allow binational gay couples to live and work in the UK, a law that has been on the books for several years; they can serve openly in all three branches of its military as well as police and fire departments. They can adopt children and dont have to be partnered and can form civil partnerships at the national level with all the rights and benefits of marriage which will eventually turn into full marriage equality. What do we have here, five states with limited marital rights at the state level, no federal recognition or benefits; three states where marriage rights were legally denied; no repeal of DADT, DOMA in 30 states or enactment of ENDA and now an immigration bill that excludes binationals. What next?
schlukitz
Sadly, Robert, most of the world seems to be moving forward, while the USA seems to be slipping back into some kind of time warp. 🙁
Mike in Asheville, nee "in Brooklyn"
@No.9 Robert NYC and @No.10 Schlukitz
Certainly, there simply are no words to console the intolerable suffering of forced separation. My hubby and I (together 24 years) have had our ups and downs, including the many social, economic, and medical struggles with me being poz (thankfully he’s neg). I just can’t imagine if we could not be together. This is very sad.
Nonetheless, while there have been many setbacks (thanks to the gutless, ballsless, limp-wrist Democratic “un”leadership), there have been many successes. Queerty posted a story about a map of gay rights over the decade. It shows the good and the bad:
http://www.lgbtmap.org/app/webroot/file/momentum-report-2009.pdf
I will long for the day when you, Schlukitz and InExile, and the many others, that immigration reform happens so soon that everyday you can look into the eyes of your loved ones.