UPDATE

You could say all right, Germany is not a miserable place to live – so what. At least these were my sentiments all my life. So far. But then I met that boy from Oklahoma. Ever since it’s different.
I can’t live there, he can live here since a kind of civil union + immigration for LGBT spouses is possible here – but he’s not quite mastering the German language, he has a College Diploma but still isn’t eligible for alot more than cleaning buildings or frying burgers here since without speaking proper German it’s as difficult to get a job in Germany as it is in the US without speaking proper English.
I feel bad about having him to live under his opportunities, and this being the only possibility for us to live together.
Therefore I also agree that a larger more comprehensive immigration reform is needed. To live in the US, as a de facto natural US citizen, I don’t want to be dependent on either marrying my boyfriend or trace my “father” who abused my mother in a way that I better never meet him in my life, or else…
There are just too many downright crazy regulations regarding to immigration.

.. Steve Ralls of Immigration Equality explained their endeavor to promote CIR using our stories. While our stories can help CIR I remain committed to UAFA as I see Bi-national immigration as an equality issue rather than an immigration issue. Immigration issues carry enormous baggage and now we are touting CIR as our only hope? I have little faith in CIR. I hope I am proved wrong. Although CIR must include LGBT language as an activist I cannot subscribe to CIR as my cause. I also do not like that RFA or CIR is touted as incorporating UAFA – it cannot because UAFA is stand alone for equality.CIR/RFA ought to be touted as including LGBT community. Unless we make this distinction we risk dropping the ball

There have been several attempts to bridge the gaps between the different communities effected by immigration. Unfortunately, a number of the other groups involved have been against including legislation concerning immigration rights involving the LGBT community. It is not that we are not unaware of this. Unfortunately, not all groups are willing to include the LGBT community in this push.

And the more we try to distance ourselves from other immigrants, the more xenophobic we look. Immigration is inherently unequal. And the Supreme Court has repeatedly stated that Congress is allowed to do WHATEVER IT WANTS with respect to immigration. It can set quotas, ban certain family members, set the entire policy. So spinning around thinking this is something like marriage and equal protection under the law — is a complete misunderstanding of IMMIGRATION law. That very thing that you all seem to think this is not a part of.

Immigration effs over all kinds of American families, and until we see ourselves as part of that community and working to overturn and the injustices there,we never have our families recognized.

Immigration Equality and other orgs also recognize that if UAFA fails — and it would likely fail — It would be a decade before it came up again. So, they put their energy behind the lifting of the HIV travel ban (which if you recall is the reason the organization started in the first place) was the smart strategy.

Our best hope, is networking with immigrants and being included in comprehensive immigration reform. And that’s exactly what it is happening. The lifting of the HIV travel ban — the only major piece of legislation pushed by the LGBT community to have PASSED during the Bush years — put Immigration Equality on the map. And put the UAFA forward in the minds of immigration rights leadership and the LGBT legislative agenda.

And if none of that were true, if this really wasn’t an immigration issue and we could pass the UAFA tomorrow, the UAFA in all it’s glory contradicts DOMA. And would be challenged on that grounds.

Does it suck to be at the back of the bus, of course. Welcome to immigration in America.

Make a book.. Put pictures in it of you and him, extended family, a letter setting out your personal case and circumstances, countries etc. Then go to Kinkos and bind it. Make it look good. Does not have to be lengthy; Get family, church, work letters of support. If you do community work mention same. Include your education and resume. Letters from family. Make 4 copies. Keep 3. Take one directly to the office of your congress representative, Make an appointment – and whether friendly or not ensure you speak directly to your member of congress or a close staffer. DONOT MAIL – it must be hand delievered by you. Ask your Rep if the support UAFA and if not why not. Offer to help them get a better understanding of it. After that do the same with one of your State Senators. Less likely to get appointment but introduce yourself to a staffer and have it delieverd. If you want more guidance write Melanie Nathan at nathan@privatecourts.com. Its time to bombard. I invirte any reader to contact me. Pleaser include your phone numbers when you email me. There is more guidance I can give you!