- Stay Connected
Connect With Us
BREAKING: SHOCKING REALITY- Senator Chuck Schumer Is Planning To Exclude Gay And Lesbians From Immigration Reform Bill.
- Image via Wikipedia
By Melanie Nathan, San Francisco, February 3, 2010 : Binationals and activists have been waiting patiently for Senator Chuck Schumer to introduce the enigmatic Immigration reform bill, and the LGBT binational community, whether in exile, living apart or hiding in fear, has been desperate for the answer. Will immigration reform be truly comprehensive; will it include (UAFA) a provision that will allow for LGBT Americans (citizens or lawful residents) to sponsor their spouses (Permanent Partners) for immigration to the USA?
Have you ever wondered why a long silence actually starts to sound like a deafening noise? It is now that the silence from Senator Schumer is deafening, with the shocking revelation from a reliable source informing us at Lezgetreal that Senator Schumer will not be including UAFA or LGBT rights in his immigration reform bill to be introduced in the weeks ahead.
Coincidentally in New York tonight, the NYCLU Advocacy Director, Udi Ofer, lead the continuing Civil Liberties Discussion Series where he provided an overview of the civil rights and civil liberties priorities within comprehensive immigration reform and the prospects for reform in Congress this year. The audience was asked to do everything possible to alert Senator Schumer to the binational plight and that anything short of 100 % inclusion in comprehensive immigration reform, would be completely unacceptable. The discussion predicted that the Senator would choose the easiest path to reform legislation, and I imagine that excluding the LGBT community is perceived as the path of least resistance.
Current law precludes LGBT couples from sponsoring spouses for immigration. Many tens of thousands of LGBT families are caught in the quagmire of an anomaly created by the unconstitutional Defense of Marriage Act, which pits State law against the Federal law, giving couples the right to marry in certain States and then denying the American spouse the (equal) right to sponsor her/his same-sex spouse under the existing immigration laws.
If you are as outraged by this as I am, then you MUST stand up now, take action and start asking questions. Tomorrow is too late – today is critical. Get Senator Schumer to stand by his words before he releases that Bill.
The first thing you can do is flood the Senators phone line and demand that comprehensive immigration reform include us all.
While I am tempted to my usual finger pointing, I refrain and instead in the spirit of the unique all inclusive grass root C=IIR Campaign, which was announced in my earlier blog by on this site, I encourage all who are outraged by this news to support this plan as the only current option to lead to our inclusion in CIR or to the passage of UAFA as a stand -alone bill. I see the C=IIR Campaign as providing the ultimate forum – where grassroots and organizations can pull together to finally bring about the change we need to the egregious impact rendered by DOMA on the inherent immigration rights of LGBT married spouses and partners. 1 *
There are those of us who while suspended at the roots of the grass; seek truth and we do not understand why we are expected to wait for matters so integral to our very existence, to unfold. Taking matters into our own hands is imperative at this time. There are about five binational couples who are at grave risk but bravely planning on coming out to announce their stories. These courageous foot soldiers need to see our entire community stand up for them. Our protest is our applause and our protest MUST be productive.
So I ask, Senator Schumer as you ARE not going to include us in CIR NOW, then come face us directly and tell us what your plan is so we can pursue our interests in ways that makes sense to us, be it protests, boycotts, advocacy! Tell us what your motivation is – an advocate for our inclusion who fails to include us makes no sense at all. To hide behind tactics and strategies does not serve those of us who are willing to risk all by our visibility. So now that we have heard that we will not be included – through sources, please allow us to suffer the news from you Sir.
Video - On You Tube by – inlookingout; June 03, 2009.
Senator Chuck Schumer provides statement at the Senate hearings for the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA)I quote from the ACLU website:
“The Constitution guarantees the fundamental rights and civil liberties of every person in this country. Upholding the rights of the politically disenfranchised is vital; when the government has the power to deny legal rights and due process to one group of people, it puts all our rights in danger.”
- 1 * THE ACTION – To set the stage, the 11-page 2010 Ten State Plan contains extensive detail on targets and supporters, democrats and republican alike. Texas is a priority with a whopping 6 members on the Hispanic Caucus that have yet to endorse UAFA. But the main opposition priority is the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, Rev. John C. Wester in Salt Lake City and Kevin Appleby in D.C., who have boldly campaigned against UAFA. To highlight how backwards American Catholic leadership actually is, the Plan shows 21 countries that allow same-sex partner immigration, including Brazil, France, and Spain where the Catholic populations are 73 to 94% of the populations. By contrast, the US is only 24% Catholic. Ultimately the plan puts it out there for grassroots activists everywhere to jump in as they choose, from traditional lobbying to civil disobedience. Targeted states include: AZ, CA, FL, GA, IL, NJ, NY, OH, TX, WA, but there are targets all over. The stated goals are three: 1. Get City Council Resolutions in every targeted state (as NYC, Chicago, LA, San Fran, and W. Hollywood have already done), 2. Agitate key elected, and 3. Join the mainstream CIR movement and arrive together. All experience levels are welcome! To hook in to C=IIR 2010 Ten State Plan join us on Facebook at: http://tinyurl.com/CIIRonFB or email: CequalsIIR@gmail.com.
____________________________________________________________________________
Copyright Melanie Nathan & Lezgetreal, 2010, All Rights Reserved©; Permission granted for Re-blog- with credit to
“ Article by – Melanie Nathan of www.Lezgetreal.com “
U P D A T E ;
Sen. Charles Schumer’s standing among New York state voters continues to slide, falling below 50 percent for the first time in nine years.
According to the latest Marist poll in New York, 47 percent of registered voters statewide said New York’s senior senator is doing either an excellent or good job in office while 31 percent said his job performance was fair, and 17 percent view him as performing poorly.
Marist College Institute for Public Opinion, based in Poughkeepsie, said this is Schumer’s lowest job approval rating since April 2001 when 49 percent of voters approved of the job he was doing. SEE ; http://www.bizjournals.com/albany/stories/2010/02/01/daily13.html
By Melanie Nathan,
www.privatecourts.com;
www.oblogdeeoblogda.wordpress.com
nathan@privatecourts.com
@oblogdeeoblogda
Related articles by Zemanta
- BREAKING: Out 4 Immigration Spearheads New All Inclusive Plan for UAFA (lezgetreal.com)
- Senator Gillibrand Tells LGBT audience to PUSH Reps for UAFA…. Must be passed by the Spring…. (oblogdeeoblogda.wordpress.com)
- Senator Gillibrand LGBT Meet and Greet- binationals ask for UAFA answers. (topix.net)
- reBlog from Melanie Nathan: The Gutierrez Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill -FAILS to include LGBT Families and ignores UAFA (oblogdeeoblogda.wordpress.com)
- Immigration Reform Must Include LGBT Couples (lezgetreal.com)
- Push for Passage – what about us – UAFA (lezgetreal.com)
- D.C. Intelligence vs. Grassroots Desperation = UAFA and Fate of Bi-Nationals (lezgetreal.com)
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_c.png?x-id=e8f553c8-8cf9-459d-bca7-01d0b8f9fddc)
44 Responses to BREAKING: SHOCKING REALITY- Senator Chuck Schumer Is Planning To Exclude Gay And Lesbians From Immigration Reform Bill.
Socialize
For A Gay Friendly Get Away
Pingback: Lesbian Spouses Torn Apart – Fight for Binational Immigration Equality - Lez Get Real
Pingback: BillyToy
Pingback: Congressman Nadler talks UAFA Strategy with Bi-National Activists seeking Immigration Equality - Lez Get Real
Pingback: Senators Chuck Schumer & Lindsey Graham write an Article – But where is the Bill? - Lez Get Real
Pingback: US Lesbian and Gay Immigration Update : Steve and Don's Life of Gorgeousness
Pingback: Will gays be in immigration bill? : PinkNews.co.uk
Tif
February 9, 2010 at 4:59 pm
Let’s don’t lose heart (those counting on cir), this is just the beginning. One great thing to do is to contact your local city council – and get them to do a UAFA supportive resolution. For more info on that idea and others check out: http://tinyurl.com/CIIR2010-TenStatePlan. It’s time for some good local grassroots – but organized and smart – action. It’s also advised to join the local immigration movement – make friends and let’s get in this game. For support email: CequalsIIR@gmail.com
Sam
February 9, 2010 at 5:10 am
Dear Sorry,
While I understand your point of view and your situation, your argument that we are fighting for a perfect bill which will never pass is flawed.
What would you have us do? I understand that you are fighting for survival. But what would you call two people in love, who cannot live together in the same country? This is also a matter of survival.
Some of us are in love and married to a partner in whose homeland it is illegal and dangerous to be gay. Others’ partners live in a country which also does not allow sponsorship for us. Should we live apart, just because our Congressional representatives are too cowed by the few outspoken members of the Right to stand up for us?
Those of us born and/or raised in the United States of America were raised to believe that this is the greatest country on earth. So when the same people who shout slogans about freedom and rights deny us equal rights, should we patiently wait for our time to come? Should we accept that our rights are less important?
Sorry
February 9, 2010 at 9:53 pm
Well, this is my last post here; it has been an interesting discussion, thank you.
Religious leaders have been fairly supportive of the Hispanic community and immigration reform, yet has also been ass-backwards in terms of gay rights. As an undocumented person though no fault of my own, who is pathetically desperate for a path to legal status, I will take any help that I can get, for now. That doesn’t mean as a progressive that I accept, condone, or will support the homophobic positions that Catholic leaders have in the future.
Hopefully immigration reform passes this year. Hopefully UAFA is brought up as an amendment to the bill when the leaders of the bill see that it can pass and won’t sink the whole bill. Let’s work hard to pass our own dire priorities without hurting one another and hope that at least some of us get some relief this year so we have the strength to help the other right afterwards.
Pingback: Immigration Reform, Binational Anger Builds – Plea by Reps to include UAFA-
Pingback: Immigration Reform, with Anger Building- Congress Reps send letter to President
Pingback: Immigration Reform, with Anger Building- Congress Reps send letter to President - Lez Get Real
Pingback: Marta Donayre ★
Pingback: Melanie Nathan
Sorry
February 6, 2010 at 6:58 pm
Rich, I am fighting for survival; my whole world as I know it; and I know there are about 12 million others in a similar situation as I am. I see a big difference between you and me. You may not settle for anything short of perfect, even if that perfect vision has a small probability of become reality, whereas I concede that there are monumental obstacles such as cowardly, homophobic, selfish, xenophobic, racist, greedy, and self-serving politicians and I accept and am momentarily content with a “good enough” bill/law and will fight to improve it the very next chance once it’s passed. Why not lobby Congress to work on one big bill to fix every problem that the country faces–fix everything in one swoop; perfection or nothing.
“All-or-nothing” is a destructive mentality and it’s not worth it just so you can feel good about your personal, principled satisfaction that the “perfect” didn’t pass. It’s presumptuous to think that I or other like me will abandon supporting fellow progressives like gays and lesbians. I can’t speak for deeply religious nuts, but I think that if 12 million undocumented immigrants were legalized and in 4, 6, whatever years, if they become citizens, would certainly remember it was mainly Democrats and liberals that fought for them and would return the favor when they could vote.
If you want to work against the bill because it’s not perfect, then please go ahead and try to destroy it alongside teabaggers, protesters with misspelled signs, Sen. Jeff Sessions, Sen. David Vitter, Sarah Palin, and Glenn Beck, but I think it’s counter-productive and pitting progressive vs. progressive. I know you are crushed UAFA may not be in this bill and may not be passed this year. I know what it feels like.
Melanie Nathan
February 9, 2010 at 11:36 am
Sorry, There is one absolute that you are forgetting. Let me explain. Imagine if there is one dentist in a town of 120,000 people. 40,000 have toothache. Of those 40,000 (analogy straight), 400 (analogy gay) – whose pain is worse and who should be treated first- how do you determine that? If you think the 400 gays should step back and remove themselves from the place in the line – good and well. Nice thinking right? However think of this – the dentist could employ like 100 other dentists and business will be good. Then we can get everyone’s teeth fixed a lot quicker. The problem my friend should not reflect back on us, but rather on those that stamp us out of the way such as your friends in the Chursh. All the immigrants should roar at their bishops and tell THEM to get out of the way of our politicians. If anyone screws it up you have your good selves to blame for not telling your religious leaders to get out of the friggin way . It is THEM who have threatened to stonewall not the gays. It would be as if the dentist left town while everyon is in line instead of hiring more dentists.
Sorry
February 4, 2010 at 8:29 pm
Without any doubt in my mind, I believe Schumer is right on this one. I support same-sex marriage and the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, but we have to take what we can get. Right now, given the political climate, comprehensive immigration reform is going to be monumentally difficult to pass, and any issues relating to same-sex marriage will only make it harder and scare off one or two or three moderate Democrats from supporting it.
The “all-or-nothing” point-of-view is impossible for me to comprehend. No bill that passes Congress, especially right now is going to be perfect, let alone great, and will have disappointments for real progressives.
The health care bill, as watered down as it was, stalled. Same-sex marriage is unfortunately a tough pill to swallow for a lot of ignorant and hateful people in this county and dragging the issue into comprehensive immigration reform would be a mistake; a poison that would help kill it, as if we didn’t have enough trouble getting it done as it is.
This is a fight you have to sadly and realistically put off for now until more people become enlightened, more states recognize same-sex marriage, and as a new generation of people take power over homophobic, selfish politicians.
Melanie Nathan
February 4, 2010 at 9:31 pm
Well Sorry you are right and you are wrong. When UAFA was a stand alone bill, before we were roped into the idea of joining the immigration reform bandwagon, we were in much better shape on the issue, you should read more articles I have written about this – dont want to repeat myself. I have never supported this comprehensive reform as a good idea. However we have been cornered into this and have nothing else ito immigration for same sex couples. Its not a matter of ready… Thats where I disagree – its a metter of how we fight… DO you think America was ready for Civil rights in the 60′s? No one is ever ready unless you are asking us to sit back and wait till out kids are President. That is ludicrous to suggest. It is hard for me as an advocate and activist when I work so hard at it to have you tell me that I should give it up because its pointless based entirely on other people not being ready. That said, watc out for my new article which will be up tomorrow and that one speaks to the WHOLE… problem with our situation. So while there is an elemnt of truth to what you say, it is all the more reason why we need to fight harder, be stronger and change our strategy. Thanks and please come back, mel
Sorry
February 4, 2010 at 10:16 pm
Melanie, I understand and respect your argument. We are simply approaching this topic from different perspectives, priority-wise. I was linked to this post from an immigration reform forum, where the number one priority is to pass some sort of reform and path to legal status.
From my perspective, adding in this idea of allowing citizens to sponsor their same-sex partners would contribute to killing the bill, and it has been killed several times in previous years. I think it is a sad, yet accurate prediction. I too, think a “comprehensive” immigration reform bill is a mistake — too many politicians squabble over little portions of the bill and nothing gets accomplished and nobody is happy (again, see the health care reform bill.)
I was unknowingly brought into this country when I was 3 years old and my parents overstayed their visa, and here I am now, 24 years old, as American as anybody else, with a graduate school education, but undocumented and unable to work or function in the only country I know. I too, have heard the argument that immigration reform should wait as you must have heard that LGBT reform should wait. I too have worked hard in an uphill battle, to push for reform; to see that young people who, through no fault of their own, are undocumented get a fair shot at life here. I would do almost anything to get this, or a more specific bill called the DREAM Act passed, which unfortunately conflicts with your interests, which I am wholeheartedly sympathetic to. If I were in your position, I would be doing the same thing you are. Good luck to you.
Melanie Nathan
February 4, 2010 at 10:29 pm
Thanks for visiting and explaining your perspective. Now it makes more sense. I toally understand where you are coming from. What you are saying is what I said the first day the group Immigration Equality made a decision on their own, w/o consulting strategists or the rest of the LGBT community. We should never ever have gone on the CIR badnwagon. I have begged the community not to do it. So we lost our opportunity fot UAFA as a stand alone because we are trapped into CIR -waiting – and you are left wondering if we will cause the death of the bill . What I do not understand is why the Catholic Bishops are saying they will not support UAFA in immigration reform – that they would rather the immigrant community has none?? Can you comment on that. AND thanks so much for your perspective which is unique on this site.
Rich
February 6, 2010 at 10:12 am
Sorry- reading this post, and your reply to Melanie below, it’s plain to see what your point of view is…let’s get your priorities passed, and if the gays have to be sacrificed (again), well, that’s ok. I’ve got news for you, that doesn’t work for us. Equality and fairness should never be sacrificed to political expediency, which is exactly what you are suggesting. You think my lover and I should lie in the road to be run over, so you can get the government relief you seek. Well, we’re not buying it. You want the help of the LGBT population to get what you want, but as soon as you get it, you’ll disappear from the fight and forget all about us. Our being left out of the bill introduced by Rep. Gutierrez was a prime example of identity politics; his primary purpose is to pass something for the Latino population, not a comprehensive bill, and he thinks he needs the Catholic Bishops to accomplish that. So, it’s kneel and kiss the ring of the bishops and under the bus for the gays! You seem to have the same attitude as the Congressman. If we’re not included, the LGBT community should work against the bill, period.
Melanie Nathan
February 6, 2010 at 10:56 am
Rich, thanks for your assetiveness on this issue and your stand. You are of course absolutely correct in your summaization. There is no room anymore for discrimination. I am one who demands more visibility from our community. I am tired of , as I say in my most recent article, “CASE for an OMNIBUS BILL, = that flying on the wings of nothing to nowhere under the radar of prejudice has long failed us! Pandering to religious groups as political strategy is an insult to our constitution and worse yet a blatant failure to honor their oaths.
Melanie Nathan
February 4, 2010 at 2:37 pm
We must all keep in mind that the Senator may be thinking it is politically expedient to keep us out of the initial Bill and then to include us in committee. This would make sense given his low ratings and the fact that the Catholic Church et al have made it clear that they will not support any immigration reform that excludes LGBT community. However this is where I go crazy…, why the hell should political expediency contemplate the thereats of faith based groups.? Why? When are our representatives going to have the balls to say this is about civil law and I dont give a farthing about your religious views. I am so mad at this thought that I plan to write about it shortly.
Pingback: The Grassroot Struggle for LGBTQI Equality in Immigration – New UAFA Sponsor. - Lez Get Real
Pingback: Jami Gibbs
Pingback: Senator chuck Schumer, « Us Immigration woes
Pingback: Scott Piro
Pingback: Dianna Newman
Don
February 4, 2010 at 12:00 am
Please tell me there is no chance that the Democratic leaders would stab the GLBT community in the back by further denying basic equal rights. WTF is happening to America and why?
Pingback: John Pierce
planetspinz
February 3, 2010 at 7:34 pm
Don’t just complain to the choir – let everyone know what Schumer is doing on his Facebook page where he can’t hide or lose your demand that he uphold your rights
http://www.facebook.com/chuckschumer
Melanie Nathan
February 3, 2010 at 10:07 pm
yes you are right – and I will pursue tyour FB idea – That said, but the choir is not the choir unless they get off theur butts, go out on the streets and start singing!
Jami
February 3, 2010 at 7:16 pm
My heart just sunk after reading this. My partner is a non-US citizen and this was one of the slim hopes we had of getting a visa. We can’t even get married in a legalized state because the Federal government will hold it against us if we request an extended visa for her (as proof she is going to try and overstay her visa). It’s very disheartening.
Melanie Nathan
February 3, 2010 at 10:07 pm
Yes Jami, I am getting so manyvery sad emails, beyond these comments.
Pingback: TG
Rich
February 3, 2010 at 6:12 pm
If we’re not included..burn it down! Burn it down! The only thing we can do is oppose any immigration reform that does not include us. Let the back-stabbing DEMS see what it’s like to have your (assumed) allies leave you twisting in the wind. Burn it down!
Pingback: Tracy Hart
Carla
February 3, 2010 at 4:33 pm
Mel
This is the worst news I have heard. I really do hope Sen. Schumer has a change of heart. Its 2010 for goodness sake. This means that LGBT bi-nationals have absolutely no value. What are we supposed to do? As American citizens are we doomed to leave our country? I am too old for that. My roots are here in New York! I am beyond frustrated, but I will NOT move and I will continue in the fight with you.
C
Guido
February 3, 2010 at 4:03 pm
Undocumented Workers 11,200,000
2009 population from 1 to 10
New York, N.Y. ………………8,363,710
Los Angeles, Calif………….. 3,833,995
Chicago, Ill…………………… 2,853,114
Houston, Tex………………… 2,242,193
Philadelphia, Pa. ……………1,567,924
Phoenix, Ariz……………….. 1,447,395
San Diego, Calif……………. 1,351,305
Dallas, Tex. ………………….1,279,910
San Diego ……………………1,279,329
San Jose, Calif. ………………948,279
That means that is the same quantity of people that New York and Chicago has.
Just imagine our county with out people in New York and Chicago…
How expensive is going to be that?
Let’s us our head We are the # 1 country in the world! Let’s fix this problem as We are.
The problem is based on the way that our broken imigration system is, if the visa gap could be larger for family members and if we could have a real temporay workers program like in europe, We can solve the problem.
We don’t need more fences, we don’t need more expenses on that. We just have to fix what is broken and unfotunally in this case is our law that was designed for the situation that we have 30 years ago, don’t patch it, fix it!. and fix it for ever, do it right.
Pingback: Gilberto Sepulveda
Pingback: Laurent Widjaya
Madison Reed
February 3, 2010 at 2:24 pm
None of this is shocking to me Melanie. Just more of the undeniably primitive Abrahamic cults at work. Remember we discussed it? We need to call spades spades as a start. If we don’t move away from our current path of comforting and coddling perpetrators and pretending that the Bible and the Qu’ran are “OK”, and not at the root of the problem, then mark my word: WE will experience a time when the entire world groans and screams from havoc and agony yet to be unleashed by a black tsunami; a synchronized wave of terror that will issue forth from the people of the Abrahamic religions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
Pingback: Senator Chuck Schumer Plans to Exclude Gays and Lesbians from Immgration Bill » DailyQueerNews.com
Pingback: uberVU - social comments