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Immigration Reform Must Include LGBT Couples

By Melanie Nathan:     In  the fight for immigration equality, grassroots group OUT4IMMIGRATION,  needs your urgent help. They are asking for you to please sign a Petition which can be found via their website or at www.change.org
 
 All we want is a ”Point-and-click” a letter off to Senator Schumer and Congresswoman Lofgren, reminding them that comprehensive immigration reform will only occur if ALL families are included — including our LGBT families – The issue is building and the festering unknown is the possibility of our exclusion.  There are thousands of your brothers and sisters waiting to be reunited with their lovers/partners/spouses, as the case may be.  But there is no law for us AND we are specifically exluded by the law - As American we  cannot sponsor for our spouses under the Immigration law of thus United States of America.

T, stranded in Europe says  ”Some may get nervous writing letters; no worries, the letter is done for you.  Simply create a log in name and “click” — BOOM!, those e-mail letters are sent.  Some of you may be nervous about exposing yourself by writing — but all you need to is make up a log in name. …  I understand your desire for anonymity, but PLEASE make up a ghost pen name if you must and send the letters.  Some of you may not like what is written — want to compose your own note?  Just “overwrite” the existing text with your own .”

I believe short representations of the most poignant aspects of our personal stories are most effective. Our Reps want to hear our stories even more than they want to hear from organizations. Therein lies the power of your correspondence. However be sure to include the main talking points which are very clear from the links.
 
Momentum is building for our issue;  our time must be now or as Senator Gillibrand mentioned recently it may be too late.  Senator Arlen Specter just signed on as a cosponsor of Uniting American Families Act and I have no doubt it  was our letters and blogging that got us there.    More and more press attention is being devoted to this issue.  Now is not the time to be timid or afraid.  Be bold!  Demand what is rightfully ours — demand the right (not chance, not privilege) to be with your one true love.  Demand it for your friends and for your fellow borthers and sisters.  We must all work as hard now as ever, even harder.  Quoting the grassroots campaign of Out 4 Immigration which has a goal to obtain goal  1000 signatures –   

T says. – “when I sent mine, I was Number 130.  A friend and ally SF had 130+ people at the rally she organized last week in Florida. She stood in the daylight and asked for change.  Surely we all can sit in the comfort of our own homes, in our pajamas and point and click for change, right?
 
T says – I give you equal parts inspiration and determination, seasoned with a dash of chiding.  C’mon, everyone — my partner “M” and I NEED you.  We all need each other.  Please help us.  Please help yourselves.  If we do the work, we will reap the rewards…”
 
 If you haven’t done so already, please go to the change.org page and send the e-mails to Senator Schumer and Congresswoman Lofgren as well. NOW please whether you are impacted directly or not.

We are asking that we be included in Comprehensive immigration reform through the Uniting American Families. If you want to read my testimony provided to the Immigration Commission in San Francisco it can be found at www.oblogdeeoblogda.wordpress on the UAFA page.
 

BLOG by Melanie Nathan, nathan@privatecourts.com  www.privatecourts.com
Picture 1: Taken by Melanie Nathan at SF Pride 2009- Includes Shirley Tan, Jay Mercado and Twins,
Together with Lt. Dan C hoi.   Pictire 2: The Tan-Mercado family with Melanie in DC for Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing 2009