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Activists Calling for Stronger Proactive Counter Catholic Bishop Action

Posted by: Lez Get Real on June 10, 2010.

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6-09-2010 Melanie Nathan:-

Our earlier reports came to fruition when today the Unites States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the National Association of Evangelicals, urged through a press call for support of comprehensive immigration reform and specifically for the exclusion of same-sex partners from immigration reform, thereby insisting on the status quo for gay and lesbian couples – exile, detention, hiding and no visas or sponsorship for same-sex couples in loving committed relationships.

However Immigration equality thinks this is no big deal and assert that the gay community has the upper hand on this one.

Today Steve Ralls, the spokesperson for Immigration Equality, speaking again to Kerry Eleveld at to the Advocate – said the breadth of support that has developed for folding gay families into the bill puts conservatives at a disadvantage. The combination of all those things have led us to the point where our inclusion in the bill is expected among most faith and immigration groups and those that are preaching for our exclusion are really the ones who are fighting an uphill battle.”

Immigration Equality has long touted its front row seat in the LGBT immigration rights arena as “the only national organization that is dedicated to advocating for equal immigration rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and HIV-positive immigrants. As a leader on these issues, news media often seek out our opinion on issues that affect our community.”

So it seems that according this foremost advocate on same-sex immigration equality, who devised the strategy for the inclusion of same-sex partners in immigration reform as a means to attaining equality, as opposed to lobbying for UAFA as a stand-alone bill, are informing us that the Unites States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the National Association of Evangelicals who were lobbying on the Hill today, present little concern to bi-national same-sex inclusion in reform to come, which according to Senator Schumer said last week that he believed an immigration reform bill, which has yet to be introduced, could potentially be passed by the end of the year or at least by March of 2011.

Fortunately there is an opposing religious stand and maybe the center -left amongst them will make a stand for what is morally right.

What no one is speaking about in the Advocate Article is the fact that bi-nationals are still facing extreme uncertainty and the strong Catholic lobby has already impacted UAFA”s relationship with Immigration reform:-

On October 8 of 2009, the Senate Subcommittee on Immigration, Refugees, and Border Security held a hearing on Comprehensive Immigration Reform: and testimony was delivered by Cardinal Theodore McCarrick Archbishop Emeritus of Washington, D.C. entitled “Comprehensive immigration reform: Faith-Based Perspectives.” After outlining in great detail the hardship and suggestions for Immigration reform, the Cardinal proceeded to testify with this overt exclusion in direct opposition to S. 424, the Uniting American Families Act.

“Mr. Chairman, we are opposed to the inclusion of S. 424, the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA), in comprehensive immigration reform legislation. The legislation would permit same-sex partners to enjoy the same immigration benefits as married couples in our immigration system. While our tradition and teaching values all persons as children of God, we believe that the enactment of UAFA would erode the institution of marriage and family by according marriage-like immigration benefits to same sex relationships, a position that is contrary to the very nature of marriage, which pre-dates the Church and the state. We also believe its inclusion into comprehensive immigration reform would add another controversial issue to an already polarized and divisive debate.”

What precisely is Immigration Equality doing to combat this lobby? Is there a strategy, a plan? USCCB had a seat at the table already – was pro LGBT testimony provided . What measures were taken to counter this sordid testimony; letters, rallies, grass root organizing, Press call outs ? What – Blog pieces? Did Immigration Equality call on the other organizations to assist in this counter lobby effort? If so who – show us the letters, the communications. Show us something that is not couched purely in solicitation and fundraiser parlance! Where are the Press releases? Where is transparency. Is the IE BOARD asking questions?

Are they resting on their laurels – well maybe – based on the statement by Ralls, they believe UAFA has the upper hand in relation to immigration reform- so maybe we are going to have another Prop 8 scenario- where our California Marriage Equality community was outgunned.

I am calling on Immigration Equality to NOT underestimate the power of the Lobby.

Is Immigration Equality providing direct counter press calls and lobby efforts to that of USCCB? Has IE written anything on their website about this lately? Or will simple feed Kerry Eleveld sound bytes suffice?

A few weeks ago,Immigration equality conducted a community telephone call. Rachel Tiven, Executive Director introduced Julie Kruse who delivered the messaging, where she commented on Immigration Equality’s “incredible success” (see a BILL anywhere anyone?) while thanking the grass roots efforts around the country those “who have applied the pressures.”

Here is a lost opportunity – Why has Immigration Equality not acknowledged OUT4Immigration, the only group whose massive communication outreach to bi-nationals and coordination has had any impact on garnishing congressional and countrywide support for UAFA and why not form an alliance so that they can work and plan, hand-in hand?

In the call Kruse stated that there was no certainty about the inclusion of UAFA – that we could be excluded at any time, when answering one of the submitted questions. “yes, we can be stripped out; but harder to take us out once we are already in; it is better than fighting to get in.”

I found this to be rather odd sense of security, given that we are NOT in the House BILL and there is NO Senate version, only a framework of intent; and a miserable flip flop by Gutierrez, without anything introduced into Congress.

Truth be know we are not included anywhere YET. Hence why does Ralls think we are in good shape with the powerful Lobby of Catholic Bishops – on the HILL today specifically calling for our exclusion.

Rachel Tiven, the Board of Immigration equality do you think that a miserable ten line article at the behest of Ralls in the advocate is sufficient counter power against the USCCB? Where is your outrage. Stop placating your supporters and get out ghere and be heard. Get the mainstream press on it.Do your own Press Calls. Contact OUT4Immigration, and NCLR and ask what you could all do together. Why were you not on the Hill with a contingent of counter Protesters.

Every single visit by a skirted Bishop, should have been followed by that of an LGBT clergy supporter, organized by Immigration Equality.

Both Kruse and Tiven mentioned on that call that we must remain vigilant. Vigilant – give me a break – that denotes waiting for something to happen – what about proactive? I cannot imagine that IE did not know about today’s Call to Press – we, like other sites, have been reporting on it at Lezgetreal for over a week. Kruse admitted on that call, ” It is a problem we have to keep our eye on…” Again same type of talk keep an eye on?

I am asking to see the proof from IE that they are doing the work they say they are doing. I want accountability to the bi-national community. Show us what you have done, and what you are doing.

Gutierrez

The Gutierrez Flip Flop:-

When Rep Luis Gutierrez introduced the House Immigration reform Bill, It excluded UAFA; last month Gutierrez suddenly announced he supported its inclusion and yet has failed to say where and how he plans to include it.

Here are reader comments from the Immigration Equality site:

1. Re; Gutierrez’s flip flop – Did he provide any explanation as to why he left the UAFA language out of his bill as originally introduced? Has he now decided that the US Conference of Catholic Bishops is too toxic to continue bowing to their wishes? Perhaps he saw that the UAFA language was going to be included in the Senate version and didn’t want to lose all those Chicago LGBT votes. Politicians rarely do something simply because it’s the right thing to do.”

2. “Now the question is, why can’t we do the same with the UAFA? I really believe that using the rider option (attaching it to a bigger bill) is the best option (not the only but the best) to get the UAFA pass in this Congress. The possibility of a CIR passing this year is getting slimmer and slimmer. If it’s not done by this year, then the UAFA will have to be re-introduced again in the next session of Congress and we will have to start all over again.”

3.” @1 not much more we could ask for? how about a bill being introduced with us.. how about everyone stop saying “CIR must include UAFA” and actually make some progress? This lip service is getting old..”

4. ” I think if Democrats hold onto or strengthen their numbers in the midterms, then they’ll tackle CIR in early 2011 to get it out of the way before the 2012 election. Otherwise, I don’t see it making it through a Republican-led House and/or Senate, not without significant changes (including us being removed)”

None of these comments received any response form Immigration Equality.

While the broader immigrant community see LGBT as their ball and chain and while we see Amnesty as ours, surely the course we are on is worth a round table?

Again I am asking for transparency, for the truth, for real leadership, for inclusion, for proactive advocacy, for a strategy, for alliances, for a direct and targeted response to the USCCB and NAE, re-visit the CIR course, See if we can get UAFA and DREAM ACT attached to legislation other than the risky and controversial CIR.

Stop waiting to be Defensive – get in on the attack.. with a strategy…. or our bi-nationals will have another ten years to wait.

By Melanie Nathan
Nathan@privatecourts.com
@oblogdeeoblogda