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Nancy Pelosi please Include Same-Sex Greencards (UAFA) with ENDA
Melanie Nathan11/11/2010; 7.30pm – PST -
San Francisco ; With the Lame Duck full of all kinds of bills that will, likely, never get brought up for a full vote, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has made it clear that she will be calling for a vote on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) which would make it illegal for employers to fire people for being gay. According to Politico, Pelosi did not set a timeline, but did make it clear that she wants to have a vote sometime during the Lame Duck session.; as reported today by Lezgetreal’s Bridgette LaVictoire.
So why ENDA and not the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA,) the latter being the Equality Bill that provides immigration equality for same-sex couples who, unlike straight couples, are unable to to apply for greencard’s on behalf of their spouses.,
To my way of thinking, and this is with assurance that I support full equality for all LGBTQI on every level across the board, the very worst form of discrimination is one that prevents same-sex couples from being factually together, that strips them of the ability to be in their relationships, that exiles Americans to foreign countries.
I do not want this post to be about comparing legislation – but I must illustrate that if you are fired from your job – you will still have your relationship and a loving spouse to go home to. You can find another job.
Now that does not mean ENDA is not imperative, but it does mean that it should take second place to the worst harm a lesbian or gay person could suffer, separation from their spouse, the love of their life, their soul mate, family and the failure of government to protect a US citizen or resident’s right to pursue their happiness in freedom here at home in the USA.
Not only should UAFA come first in the limited lame duck session- but because it has more cosponsors than any other LGBT equality legislation, it could serve to enhance the passage of ENDA, if the two could be worked in together.
So why is it not first on the Pelosi, et al radar? Why does some fringe PJ blogger Activist type like Mel Nathan have to suggest this as a strategy for lame duck time! Why are the organizations such as , HRC and the other LGBT Advocacy groups not screaming at the Pelosi door; UUUUUAAAFFFFFAAAA UUUUUAAAAFFFFAA?
The answer is is simple – because they have not taken an interest or leadership role, nor have they provided any strategic planning for the Uniting American Act (UAFA) since the time it was introduced into Congress by Rep. Jerold Nadler. What they have done is allowed Immigration Equality Organization not only to take the lead, but freedom to do with it what they will unchecked!
So Why then has Nancy Pelosi thought of including UAFA as a matter of imperative urgency for Lame Duck – ?
Simple answer because the pre-imminent immigration equality leadership organization (IE) who has taken the lead in a hail of tacit consent by the other LGBT groups, has not reminded Nancy Pelosi for about 18 months now that UAFA is critical legislation, upon which lives depend.
Instead Immigration Equality (IE), has run around schmoozing with the immigration and faith based groups – as well as Senators, begging for inclusion in Comprehensive Immigration Reform, despite warning of this very moment by activists like me. (CIR)
CIR will not pass for the next 2 years – and they are still asking you to call your senators on moving CIR forward in the midst of lame duck time? Instead IE should be asking you to Call your Senators to include UAFA with ENDA in a lame duck session. I have not looked but dear reader, I challenge you to go to IE’s site to see if they have in fact called upon Pelosi to include UAFA.
If they have not – then I say they realize perhaps that they have trapped UAFA into CIR, the impossible Reform Bill thereby shooting UAFA not only in the foot, but also dead in the brain!
You all will have to advocate for yourselves fellow binationals – you will have to call you Senators now and fax them your stories begging them to include UAFA as a stand-alone during the lame duck or with ENDA.
Tell Pelosi
attach UAFA to ENDA PLEASE!!!!!!! Because lack of UAFA – Greencards for Binational Couples forces people to leave their jobs and/or remain unemployed because of LGBT discrimination
DO IT NOW!!!!!!
Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com
14 Responses to Nancy Pelosi please Include Same-Sex Greencards (UAFA) with ENDA
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wannabegay2
December 5, 2010 at 8:34 pm
36,000 or 90,000 votes mean nothing to politicians, so they wont support this bill, as it makes them lose votes rather than gaining votes. its all about the election night and no risks are taken.
FAEN
November 17, 2010 at 12:36 pm
Melanie: Did you watch the immigration town hall on MSNBC? Not ONE question on the UAFA bill. We are so invisible it makes me sick. Why wasn’t there someone from IE or any other binational org talking about our plight at the town hall? Why is there almost never a voice for us at these functions?
Melanie Nathan
November 22, 2010 at 3:38 pm
yes I have been writing and about to post it. I was disgusted!!!!!!
Robert
November 17, 2010 at 11:50 am
Thanking you for providing a sensible voice for binational couples. I just do not understand the logic of Immigration Equality. Even while the Democrats were struggling to get health reform passed, IE seemed to be focusing all of its energy on getting us included in Comprehensive Immigration Reform, even though it was clear to most of us that gays would be have to be booted from the bill so CIR could pass. In the end, CIR wasn’t even brought up at all. Two years of a Democratic trifecta, and nothing was accomplished.
FAEN
November 17, 2010 at 12:45 pm
Robert: I know right! Why were we put into this mythical CIR bill that has as much chance of passing as a gay mormon becomg Pope! Depressing that after two years as you stated were no further to equality. I don’t think at this point we should ever rely on Congress doing anything. The courts may be the only way.
Ken
November 14, 2010 at 10:59 pm
I just read about Leader Reid and Nancy Pelosi plan to push for passage of the Dream Act during the lame duck session. Can We ask them to attach UAFA with the Dream Act?
FAEN
November 15, 2010 at 11:06 am
Ken: On the surface that seems like a good idea and I support it but you can bet your bottom dollar the GOTP will filibuster the bill in the Senate and as we know all too well with the Dems…..they will fold like the wimps they are. BTW, today, Ireland, A catholic country has just approved immigration rights for it’s citizens in a civil partnership. The day will come when it will be only the USA, the Middle East and the majority of Africa denying GLBT equality. Shame on us.
Melanie Nathan
November 15, 2010 at 1:29 pm
Yes we can ask but they may take notice of Immigration Equality who has not pushed for this or even asked for it in any way at all. Yes its unlikely because UAFA has never been at the forefront of gay issues on any orgs agenda at all. Its a shame because its the one issue that would have brought attention to the meaning of equality and had we plugged everything into it and won it – we would be on the map for more legislation and maybe even civil rights – CRA. SO we have been screwed by our own! No on else to blame here. Truly. I have asked for UAFA and DREAM but the message is not going thru the groups. We should bombard all the ORGS and the Friendly members of congress with this request.
FAEN
November 12, 2010 at 9:31 pm
For a country that pushes ‘freedom’ we are one fucked up bipolar place!
Dennis
November 12, 2010 at 3:21 pm
I wish there was a way to show Pelosi and other politicians (and to truly make them realize and understand) what harm and suffering our current immigration laws are causing binational (same-sex) couples. I don’t think they really comprehend the pain and despair we feel and are going through on a daily basis, because no one who truly understands what this is like would not want to remedy this situation asap. UAFA would be such a tremendous relief to thousands of couples currently living in fear, uncertainty, hiding and separation; we are completely ignored by the law (unless it is to deny our applications, that a US spouse is recognized for).
We have a year left before we either have to leave the US or try another non-immigrant visa. Believe me every time it gets more difficult, because the suspicion about potential immigrant intent grows. We currently have no plan B, mainly because we were hoping that the Obama administration would pass pro LGBT legislation (incl. UAFA), and also because we are out of resource (money) after paying out of state tuition for many years (so we could be together) and one of us being unable to work. I realize that there is virtually no chance that UAFA will be addressed or voted on during lame duck or the next few years. So where do we go from here… We’ve been together for nine years and will celebrate our tenth anniversary next year, just where and under what circumstances (together, separated, in exile, in hiding… we don’t know).
What a situation to be in in the land of the free, where liberty, justice, equality and the pursuit of happiness supposedly reign supreme.
FAEN
November 12, 2010 at 9:31 pm
Dennis: Unfortunately the only way they listen is if we push….not politely either. I wish GetEqual would start putting pressure on the Dems AND the GOTP when it comes gay issues. I hate to say it but the Dems on their best day have no balls. There is no way the UAFA or ENDA will be on the to do list for the lame duck session. Unless something happens, like a miracle, I don’t see our agenda of equality going anywhere until at least 2013. Seriously, I still remember Obama and the Dems winning in such large numbers, I remember jumping up and down with joy, yelling at the top of my lungs, just KNOWING the binational community would FINALLY be equal. That seems like a lifetime ago and maybe the time to leave is now. Maybe I’m a coward but how long do we wait or start to really live?
Nate
November 12, 2010 at 1:09 pm
I am leaving the US. I have dealt with this stuff for years. I am thankful for all the effort that is put into trying to get people to move, but our government is the most corrupt in the world. Who could have faith in such a broken system?
FAEN
December 6, 2010 at 12:06 pm
Nate: Believe me man I know how you feel. I have no faith anymore either. I wish you and your partner well and the best for the future wherever you guys end up.
FAEN
November 12, 2010 at 11:05 am
Just read on Huff Post that the ENDA lame duck vote is not on.