Us Immigration woes

Gays and Lesbians in the Cold on Immigration Reform Bill

from: www.towleroad.com
The “comprehensive” immigration reform bill introduced this month does not include gays and lesbians.
“The lawmaker said Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.), who has led the House effort on comprehensive immigration reform, initially ‘didn’t want to deal with it. At all.’ Then he tried to work out a ‘stupid’ compromise whereby the same-sex partner provisions would be in the bill but they wouldn’t take effect for five or six years, said this Member. ..Gutierrez denied that he wanted to keep gay and lesbian language out of his bill. ‘That’s just not true,’ he said, pointing to his long-standing record of supporting the gay community. The real issue, he said, is that same-sex partner matters have not come up in past immigration reform debates and people are still figuring out how to bring the two camps together. ‘There has never been a serious, in-depth discussion between the gay and lesbian community and the immigrant community. It’s never existed,’ Gutierrez said. ‘It’s a new conversation, but not one that I’m fearful of. I welcome it. But you can’t expect after nearly two decades of struggle for a new component’ to be quickly embraced.”

Gays and Lesbians in the Cold on Immigration Reform Bill

The church does it again!

News letter from the hrc

Great news today: marriage equality has just passed in Washington, D.C.!
It’s a huge victory, and you should be proud – your support allowed us to invest tremendous staff time and resources into this fight. We did it, and I can’t thank you enough.
But before we celebrate, I need your help. You may have heard that in a blatantly political move to prevent this vote the Catholic Archdiocese of Washington last month threatened to cut their social service programs if the bill passed.
I’m not making this up. They’d cut homeless shelters, food programs for needy families, and health services rather than provide equal benefits for employees in same-sex marriages. And now that the bill has passed, we need to make sure they don’t follow through on their threat.
Tell Archbishop Wuerl not to play politics with the less fortunate – ask him to continue Catholic Charities’ city-supported social services.
The Archbishop issued a very public threat last month designed to scare city officials into backing off their commitment to marriage equality.
Thankfully, heroic D.C. Council members in Washington didn’t cave under pressure. They spoke numerous times with church officials in an effort to reach common ground, while moving forward with the legislation. But unfortunately, Archbishop Wuerl has refused to alter his official position.
The D.C. Council has stood up for fairness and equality. Now they need our help to make sure the neediest citizens of the city aren’t forced to pay an unfair and cruel price.
Please ask the Archbishop not to use marriage equality as an excuse to hurt thousands of homeless and needy people in Washington, D.C.
Today’s victory means a great deal, coming after marriage equality losses in New York and Maine. The bill now goes to the Mayor Adrian Fenty, who has promised to sign it. The U.S. Congress then has 30 days to review the legislation. After that window passes, the bill becomes law!
We will keep you updated as the bill progresses – and we will have to be vigilant even after the bill becomes law because the U.S. Congress can choose to intervene and overturn the law at any time – a loophole the radical right is bound to try to exploit.
For now, I thank you for standing strong – not only for marriage equality, but for all the citizens of Washington, D.C. during the holiday season.
Joe Solmonese
President

Tell Archbishop Wuerl not to play politics with the less fortunate – ask him to continue Catholic Charities’ city-supported social services.

It’s too bad that in a state like New York gay marriage was shoot down. In all the states in this once great country that claims equal rights for all gay people in New York State tock a giant step backwards. In the year 2009 not to give a group of people equal right is very sad and also un-American. Everyone in the state of New York knows that gay rights are nothing more than a political football to get more power in Albany. It’s so sad that people that we put in power to lead act like little children, and listen to the church. Once again you have to ask what happened to separation of state and church. It’s also very sad that the Republican Party still follows Bush’s policies, but also his hatred to gay people in this country.
I have been following gay marriage on the Federal level for years now and it always turns out that it’s the Republican Party that preaches hate toward a group of people because they have nothing to offer so they get the right wing up in arms with nothing more than lies and misleading statements. It’s very sad that the Republican Party and leaders like John McCain can preach hate, and denies civil rights to tax payers. It’s also sad that leaders like Peter Kind and State Senator Owen H. Johnson follow the Christian ring wing. Senator H. Owner and Peter King should know how many gay people are in his district but so many leaders or so called leaders just follow like sheep the Bush polices of hate and lies.
Because of the leadership of the Republican party I have told my husband that our two year plan is for me to move up to Canada full time. As an adult I see what’s going on with my civil rights and that is to marry who I want without the church standing in my way, it’s a sham that the leadership of this once great country and state that preach equal rights has forgotten separation of state and church.

Congressman Peter King

Once again I would like to ask you a few simple questions that I don’t seem to be able to get answers from, from your offices here on Long Island and your DC office.
I would like to know how you stand on the uniting American families act, and also DOMA? No one in your office can answer the question. When they say we will get back to you they never do. They claim they have but only once did I ever get an answer about anything.
I wonder why I just can’t get a simple answer to a simple set of questions. I’m not asking for a special bill pasted that I know you can do, I’m not asking you to personally answer my letter to you, just a simple answer yes or no and why.
Also since I’m asking the impossible from your offices an answer, but how does someone make an appointment to sit down and talk to you over a cup of coffee in your long island office.
I really don’t want to have to write Newsday, or the New York Times or news 12 long island or Fios 1 and ask them why my congressman will not answer some simple questions.

I just got a letter from President Barack Obama [democraticparty@democrats.org]

President Barack Obama

What about us????????????????????????/ Give me a break President Obama!

Turkeys in Congress that we need to write to and none stop!

Ok people start e-mailing and faxing these jerks lets us be herd! Stand up for your rights!

It’s about time that this almost does noting president for gay rights starts doing things! The hate crimes is the first step, the HIV ban is number two, but lets see if this talker of a president does anything for gay immigration right??????
Every one has to write him every single day and tell him to do something about it, tell him to support the Uniting American families act

Obama to lift HIV/AIDS travel ban
CNN Politics

Washington (CNN) — President Obama announced Friday that he will lift a 22-year-old ban on entry into the United States for people infected with HIV/AIDS.

“We talk about reducing the stigma of this disease, yet we’ve treated a visitor living with it as a threat,” he said at the White House. “If we want to be the global leader in combating HIV/AIDS, we need to act like it.”
read the full story
Obama to lift HIV/AIDS travel ban

I watched his speech on u-tube and I will say he knows how to play to a group. He played the HRC like a $500 whore on a Saturday night! Just like he was running for re-election, words, words, and more words.

Now get ready for the HRC to be asking for more money to keep there fight going.

repeal DOMA

50,000 of you took our survey on how the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) harms families. And with Congress back in session this week, we personally delivered your responses – and thousands of heartfelt comments – to help build the case for repealing this discriminatory law.

We’re launching a new campaign TODAY to tell Congress and President Obama to repeal DOMA!

repeal DOMA, Click here

No Excuses campaign.

Far too many in Congress have given excuses for why LGBT equality is on the back burner.

It’s too soon. Be patient. Some people aren’t ready for change.

Well, enough is enough. Our families still aren’t protected. Our military service members are still being discharged. We can still be fired for being LGBT. Even under this Congress and President.

If we’re going to spur Congress to action, we need to demand equality in person.

So HRC has launched a major new project: the No Excuses campaign. HRC activists around the country – ordinary people, NOT policy experts – will meet face-to-face with their lawmakers at their home offices

No Excuses campaign.

D.C. Intelligence vs. Grassroots Desperation = UAFA and Fate of Bi-Nationals
http://lezgetreal.com/?p=16564

This story has to be a wake up call to everyone needing the UFA passed! It is time that every single person goes to there congressman and senator and say what’s up? We need this bill passed and brought out of committee now! The uniting families act HR1024 S424

I’ve seen this bill die twice and looks like a third time, people get off your butts and write the white house write you own congressman and senators, and write Nancy Pelosi, but ever single day with no let ups!!!!!!!!! Get this bill out of committee now!

“Congresswoman Jackie Speier But Speier also raised doubts about Congress’ ability to approve other legislation of importance to the LGBT community during the nearly 90-minute sit-down at her district office in downtown San Mateo Saturday, July 11. In regard to a bill that would allow LGBT Americans to remain in the country with their foreign-born partners, Speier said the issue had not gained enough traction in Congress to become a priority”
As my readers know I have expressed a great deal of concern with how the Uniting American Families Act has been handled by our self-appointed-by-ommission-leadership” It is sad, yet validating to note the comments of Congresswoman Speier on UAFA’s unlikely passage. Albeit it disturbing news, I believe it can and ought to serve as a titanic wake up call to bi-nationals, supporters and the LGBT community as a whole. It is time to fight for UAFA and it must be NOW. The Article can be read in full at…. http://www.ebar.com/news/article.php?sec=news&article=4072
http://lezgetreal.com/?p=16564

Massachusetts challenges Defence of Marriage Act

Massachusetts challenges Defence of Marriage Act
By Staff Writer, PinkNews.co.uk • July 9, 2009 – 15:37

Massachusetts has filed a lawsuit that argues the Defence of Marriage Act violates the US constitution by interfering with the right of states to define the marriage status of their own residents.
It was the first US state to legalise gay marriage in 2004 and is now the first to challenge the controversial Act.
The Defence of Marriage Act bans the federal government from treating same-sex relationships as marriages regardless of whether they are performed or recognised by a state

Read the full story at
Massachusetts challenges Defence of Marriage Act

Lt. Dan Choi is being fired from the military for refusing to lie

Your support for Dan has been amazing. 162,741 people signed Lt. Choi’s letter to the Army. And, a few weeks ago, 141,262 people signed Lt. Choi’s letter to President Obama. Combined, more than 300,000 signatures were collected on Lt. Choi’s behalf and were submitted as “Exhibit E: Courage Campaign” to the Army.

Dan is not giving up and needs your help to keep on fighting. Please join Lt. Choi, the Courage Campaign, Knights Out and the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network in signing this letter to Speaker Pelosi

http://www.couragecampaign.org/page/s/RepealDADT

Show your support for gay marriage
with a free sticker!

Here at CREDO, we want everyone to know that we support marriage rights for all couples – you can let everyone know that you do, too with one of our awesome stickers! You can get one sticker for free

http://act.credoaction.com/stickers/?r_by=-2051190-UamG.ix&rc=taf.sticker

Res. 600 – A tribute to an American legend and musical icon

Give me a break would you! Here is a man that was a singer, ok he gave lots and lots of money to groups that helped people, fought for aids in countries like Africa but come on. They stopped congress for a minute; they have time to come up with a bill for him! We can’t get a bill out of committee!(UFA)
You say they are working on the war, the economy, health care but they have time to stop and write a bill for a singer! If they have time for that then they have time for us! Uniting families act, hate crimes bill, and repeal of defensive marriage act section 3.
It’s time to force congress to bring our bill out of committee now! write the president and your congressman now, right now! Tell them to get off your butt and sign this bill into law!
Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee [D, TX-18] does support the uniting families act and is a co-sponsor

http://www.opencongress.org/articles/view/1083-The-Michael-Jackson-Resolution

On this July 4th independence day for the United states I can’t help but wonder, if the American people only know how the US Immigration department and the American embassy’s treat people, would they but out there celebrating the birth of this country? Plus making a big deal of the stature of liberty.

Personally I feel that the right wing has forgotten a few things about this country, like equal rights, separation of state and church. The poem on the statue of liberty. The rest of the world has free health care.

I guess they forgot that the Pilgrims left England to get away from the Church of England so they could worship any way they wanted. I guess that they have forgotten about all men are created equal. They have also forgotten about separation of state and church. They have forgotten that almost all Americans came throw Ellis Island.

So this year when they are making a big deal about the opening up of the crown on the statue, who cares it’s all a big scam by the government. There are no full equal rights in this country; you have a bunch of bigots in office that just want gay people and immigrant to go away.

Also with all the fire works and spending millions of dollars, that money should go to help the homeless, people that are hungry, people that are having there homes ripped out from under them because of the republican parties miss handling of this country for over the last 8 years. What a waste of money!

I have an American flag up, and you know what its flying upside down!

The New Colossus
By Emma Lazarus, 1883
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
“Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she
With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

The idiot steps down

In the last 8 years I have no idea who was worst? Was it George w jackass bush? Was it the idiot soccer mom who runs off her mouth Palin? Was it McCain? God there where so many of them.
Maybe the world and this country will get lucky and never hear from her again.

http://topics.edition.cnn.com/topics/sarah_palin

HIV Travel Ban to Be Lifted

By Kerry Eleveld
Advocate
The first step to ending the HIV travel ban in the United States has been taken by the Obama administration. The Office of Management and Budget posted a notice on its site Friday afternoon indicating that the department of Health and Human Services could move forward with steps to change a regulation that has restricted HIV-positive people from gaining entrance into the United States.

read the full story
HIV Travel Ban to Be Lifted