Congresswoman Jackie Speier Provides Valuable Opinion on UAFA

Perhaps more of our congressional representatives would be willing to do what Congresswoman Jackie Speier did for the LGBT community today.  The Congresswoman, a Democrat from California’s 12^th district called a meeting today of the LGBT leadership in San Francisco. With not much notice a core group of leaders, activists and community turned out at the SFLGBT Center. There was no pomp and ceremony, just cookies and lemonade and a very keen group of people.

Notwithstanding a fledgling in this 111^th Congress, Rep. Speier’s unconditional championship of LGBT equality can never be doubted.  Her availability and quick to respond dedication is something that her constituents are so grateful for, evidenced so clearly when she participated in pulling off a miracle for Shirley Tan and family.

Today at the meeting, the Congresswoman further endorsed her support with her commitment in response to a question that has been haunting me since June 4, 2009.  I asked what she thought about UAFA as a stand-alone Bill, if it was still possible for it to gain passage and how UAFA ‘s incorporation into Comprehensive Immigration Reform would serve us – specifically “ would it shoot us in the toes?”   She made two important points in her response:

1. She said “I have always made it a point to be honest with you and I can tell you there will be no immigration reform this year; and
2. That UAFA in Comprehensive Immigration Reform, a large and complicated initiative,  would be much more troublesome and stated that she thought it was better if we pushed as a stand-alone.

With the caveat that she had only 16 months in the Congress, she believed that a named fellow congressional member would have a good take on the question. I expressed my concern that there were advocacy efforts in D.C. that may not represent this viewpoint and that I wondered what the consensus amongst her cosponsors might be; and then applause when without reserve our champ asserted a commitment to confer with her congressional allies on UAFA to see what they thought. She promised she would get back to us.  

Meeting with Jackie Speier at LGBT Center San Francisco

The balance of the meeting involved brief discussion about an Equality Rights Amendment to the Civil Rights Act as a catchall and then some time was spent answering healthcare reform questions. What I found interesting was the Congresswoman’s assertion that the Democrat messaging had been poor and that contributed to the misinformation and messy town hall meetings.  She explained how people simply did not understand what they could get out of the reform that was favorable. She also noted by a show of hands that the majority in the room were currently employed and receiving health insurance from their employers.  She said those (the majority) in the room were most at risk as there insurance could easily go away, if suddenly unemployed.  She also stressed how Medicare would run dry in 2017.

Many of the attendees thanked the Rep. Speier for caring and doing so much. She did express that she believed that President Obama was being somewhat timid on LGBT issues and promises, but she assured us that she had confidence he would get to our issues and that progress had been made.  She also explained how burdened the President had been with a massive amount of urgent tasks when he first came into office and that he had taken on a lot for his first year.     

Attended by Molly McKay of Marriage Equality and Alice Kessler, EQCA

 

 

So now I look forward to the response regarding UAFA.  I will report back then if not before…..
Melanie Nathan.
Oblogdeeoblogda  

Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance

August 30 is International Day of the Disappeared. Only thirteen countries have ratified the Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance; twenty are needed to bring it into force.  Among those which have not yet signed are the United States and the United Kingdom. I picked up the Blog of a South African Blogger (Roy Jobson -http://www.thoughtleader.co.za/royjobson/2009/08/30/the-smell-of-human-flesh-and-hair-burning/) Who in the context of this quest for ratification from us, speaks to the horrific murder of one of the 55,000 “disappeared” of apartheid era South Africa.

Sizwe Kondile’s enforced disappearance , cannot be forgotten. This is a “we shall not forget- so it will never happen again” moment, at the very least.

Jobson reports “His body was burned in the veld (field) on an open fire while Nofomela, his colleague, Dirk Coetzee and others involved had a braai (barbeque) nearby. This was reportedly accompanied by a fair amount of liquid refreshment. Kondile’s body took about seven to nine hours including fairly frequent rotating to burn right through. Whatever was left (and it must have included the bones) was then thrown into the nearby Komati river. The perpetrators would probably have had to macerate parts of the remains.”

Kondile’s mother, testified at a TRC hearing that she first learned of her son’s gruesome death in a newspaper report. “ Butana Almond Nofomela is about to be paroled after having served 21 years for the murder of a local farmer. He had been sentenced to death for this crime, but escaped being hanged by confessing to crimes committed as part of the Vlakplaas hit squad.  He was subsequently granted amnesty by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) for ‘assassinating ‘ Sizwe Kondile who was apparently so severely brain injured after being interrogated that he was then poisoned, and shot when he did not die. 

Jobson is explicit in his hope for retribution albeit mere one of conscience on the part of the murderer, as he implores:-

 “does Nofomela ever smell human flesh and hair burning when he remembers his past, or sometimes in his dreams as he sleeps? Perhaps he has eliminated this memory. Once he’s been released and attends a braai with his family and friends, will he have flashbacks? Will the pungent aroma of burning human flesh and hair assault his nostrils again?  Would he remember the feel of the charred remains as the leftover bits were disposed of in the river?”

So this US citizen is asking the question why have we not ratified this Convention when all it will cost us is a little bit of our own reflection when we promise “never again?”

A SUGGESTION for an AN INVITATION to the Peeps of MASS-

THE FIRST WOMAN SENATOR FOR MASSACHUSETTS A KENNEDY

May I be so bold – having now met Vickie Kennedy for the first time – sadly at her husband’s funeral, and admittedly by ‘virtual’ means only – I suggest the people of Massachusetts consider an invitation for this accomplished and gracious person to take the seat of her beloved in the Senate.  Besides her clear conviction to progressive liberal thinking, besides carrying the Kennedy name, albeit by marriage, she was privy to the late Senator’s deepest thoughts with her  private gate to the portal of his kind consciousness and extraordinary humanity.   With thanks to Wikepdia I offer the following quoted directly-

“The second of six children, she was born Victoria Anne Reggie in Crowley, Louisianato Louisiana judge and banker Edmund M. Reggie and Doris Ann Boustany Reggie, a Democratic national committeewoman.^[2][3] She is of Lebanesedescent, as all her grandparents were Maronites from Beirut, Lebanon, who immigrated to the U.S. and settled in Crowley.^[4] Her grandparents became important players in the local Roman Catholic church and later their children became involved in business and politics.^[4][5]

Her immediate family was wealthy because of money from her mother’s family’s interest in the Bunny Bread baking concern in New Orleans, Louisiana.^[4][5] She was raised in a family that was constantly involved in politics and campaigns.^[2] At the 1956 Democratic National Convention, her father helped deliver his state for John F. Kennedy’s unsuccessful bid for the vice-presidential nomination. Over time, John Kennedy developed a close social relationship with the family.^[6] Her mother cast the only Louisiana delegate vote for Ted Kennedy at the 1980 Democratic National Convention.^[7]

She attended parochial schools growing up and was a straight-A student.^[5] She attended Newcomb College at Tulane University in New Orleans, where she graduated with a bachelor of arts in English, magna cum laude.^[5][8] There she was a member of Phi Beta Kappa and was president of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority.^[5]

She then received her law degree, summa cum laude in 1979 from Tulane University Law School.^[8]. There she was a member of Tulane Law Review.^[5] Her education at Tulane, along with twenty years of other Tulane tuition for her brothers and sisters, was paid for by scholarships awarded by a political ally of her father.”

IN.STEAD of excuses- WALLY HERGER MUST RESIGN

PEOPLE WHO ARE PROUD OF HATE / PROUD TO TAKE KINSHIP WITH RIGHT WING TERRORIST AND LIKE JARGON OUGHT TO BE CALLED ON TO RESIGN BY ALL GOOD PATRIOTIC AMERICANS!!!!   IN THE WAKE OF MR STEAD – I SAY FIND A NEW CONGRESS MEMBER IN HERGER’S STEAD –

SHAME – SHAME – SHAME -ON YOU…..

JENKINS – JEFF MILLER- JEFF SESSIONS- WALLY HERGER- LIMBAUGH

- HANNITY- O’REILLY- GLENN BECK-  SARAH PALIN

Constituent says “I am a proud right-wing terrorist.” Congressman Herger answered “Amen, God Bless you there goes a great American”

At the meeting in Redding,  a man stood up and identified himself as “a proud right-wing terrorist.” Instead of denouncing him, Congressman Herger called the man “a great American.” That’s outrageous — which is why the California Democratic Party is buying newspaper ads next week in the Mt. Shasta Herald and the Redding Searchlight, demanding that Herger apologize and repudiate right-wing terrorism.  I am stunned at the smile and the response of the Congressman – I think that behavior endorsing terrorism is tantamount to treason.  Unbelievable the lengths they would go to. I hope this destroys his politvcal career forever and we should not be quiet.

 

Senator Ted Kennedy Passed away today. I am so sad.

Senator ted Kennedy, Democratic and American Hero passed away today. He will be remembered and sorely missed. May G-d bless his family, his friends and colleagues and all his constituents.  A great man has left our world.

 

 

For me its hard to imagine; this day that we mourn the passing of one of America’s greatest men. Senator Ted Kennedy lost his battle tonight with brain cancer but he won a legacy steeped in service for his Country. Four decades in the Senate, there has yet to be such a relentless champion for human rights, equality and liberality. It feels as if we have lost our pater familias. There will never be another like him.

 

 ”Dear Friends,

I was heartbroken to hear of Senator Ted Kennedy’s passing and my deepest sympathies go out to Vicki, his children and the entire Kennedy family.

I will always think of Senator Kennedy as the lion of the Senate. From his seat in the back of the beautiful Senate chamber, he used his powerful voice to speak out for the voiceless. He could always be counted on to champion justice, fairness and compassion — and to challenge all of us to do the same.

Personally, I will miss Senator Kennedy’s warm and engaging presence, his bellowing laughter and the way he reached out to all senators in friendship.

No one will ever be able to fill his shoes, but we must honor his extraordinary legacy by continuing his life’s work. The most fitting tribute we could give Senator Kennedy is to carry on his fight for a quality education for all our children, affordable health care that families can rely on, an economy that works for everyone and equal rights for all our citizens.

Barbara Boxer.”

HIV and the next generation -weighing up sons’ satisfaction versus daughters’ safety

Circumcision will be discussed this week at the C.D.C.’s National H.I.V. Prevention Conference in Atlanta, which will be attended by thousands of health professionals and H.I.V. service providers.

When I visited South Africa in 2000, I remember reading an article in the Johannesburg newspaper – the financial section- which predicted that HIV virus would infect 1 in 4 of the work force in South Africa by the year 2010. Well I think the statistic was reached five years early. It has been a place where HIV has spread rapidly and for many reasons.

At the same time Africa presents a place of reference where by virtue of the vast numbers, research is can be of value. How and when we apply that research can take detours as the clash of culture and controversial issues complicate the advisories. I picked this up off the CDC website and it sent me to an Article in the New York Times on line, http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/24/health/policy/24circumcision.html article by Roni Carin Rabin which published this week; he reports that public health officials are contemplating the promotion of routine circumcision for all baby boys born in the United States, to reduce the spread of H.I.V., the virus that causes AIDS. This is 2009.

Rabin says that the “topic is a delicate one that has already generated controversy, even though a formal draft of the proposed recommendations, due out from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention by the end of the year, has yet to be released.” In February 23, 2007 it was reported in Paris that trials showed that male circumcision more than halves the risk of HIV infection.  The trials, conducted in Kenya and Uganda and earlier in South Africa, found that men who were uncircumcised were twice as likely to catch the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) compared with circumcised counterparts. The researchers have found that circumcision serves to protect the female partners of the tribes that were used in the studies. However it is clear that this did not take cognizance of sex between male and male where circumcision may not in fact impact the statistics.

In 2000 Robert Bailey of the University of Illinois, Chicago reported at the 13th International AIDS Conference about his studies of the Luo, a tribe of 3 million in Kenya who do not practice circumcision and who presented an unusually high percentage of HIV infection — around 30 percent in women and 25 percent in men. http://www.doh.gov.za/aids/docs/13conf00.html  He joined other researchers at that time, saying it “may be time for health officials to think about promoting circumcision in Africa as a way of helping to prevent the spread of HIV. “ The data were so dramatic that the trials in Kenya and Uganda were apparently halted ahead of schedule, for it would have been ethically wrong to continue them.

Would promotion now in the US turn into more than mere promotion? Perhaps promotion per se is valuable as long as it serves an educational purpose, one that enables parents to use the information to make their own decision. However to what extent is the CDC required to “protect” society. If it makes its promotion more declaratory and possibly even mandatory in the same way as we are required to have certain immunizations.

I can only imagine the controversy if there were to be such a recommendation here in the USA, albeit at this late stage in the timeline of this research and these conclusions. Are we notoriously slow to protect the women in our society – to protect the female interest above the satisfaction of the male? “Experts are also considering whether the surgery should be offered to adult heterosexual men whose sexual practices put them at high risk of infection. But they acknowledge that a circumcision drive in the United States would be unlikely to have a dramatic impact: the procedure does not seem to protect those at greatest risk here, men who have sex with men.” Again what about the women?

Till Newell and Marie-Louise Barnighausen calculate that in KwaZulu-Natal province, where HIV incidence is very high but circumcision rates very low, 35,000 new infections could have been prevented in 2007 alone if the 2.5 million men there had been circumcised. Experts in asserting this as preventative for Africa say they implementing circumcision should be approached with caution, because of how different cultures perceive it – some as ritual into manhood whereas others see it as emasculating. http://www.aegis.com/NEWS/AFP/2007/AF070284.html

In the US however the cultural considerations are vastly different. One can only imagine that the controversy will revolve around the esteem and satisfaction of the young man, the impact on him later and the ideal that perhaps he would consider circumcision of his own accord as a choice when he is older.

Rabin reflects on the fact that in the US circumcision rates have fallen in part because the American Academy of Pediatrics, in setting the guidelines for infant care, has not endorsed routine circumcision. “Its policy has said that circumcision is “not essential to the child’s current well-being,” and as a result, many state Medicaid programs do not cover the operation. The academy is revising its guidelines, however, and is likely to do away with the neutral tone in favor of a more encouraging policy stating that circumcision has health benefits even beyond H.I.V. prevention, like reducing urinary tract infections for baby boys, said Dr. Michael Brady, a consultant to the American Academy of Pediatrics. “

I wonder how the anti-circumcision mothers will feel when it comes to weighing up their son’s satisfaction versus their daughters’ safety? 

 This is going to find an interesting path and maybe even something else to add to the healthcare debate. Who is going to pay? Surgery vs. AIDS Drugs…. ?

reBlog from lezgetreal.com:

I found this fascinating quote today:

“Experts are also considering whether the surgery should be offered to adult heterosexual men whose sexual practices put them at high risk of infection. But they acknowledge that a circumcision drive in the United States would be unlikely to have a dramatic impact: the procedure does not seem to protect those at greatest risk here, men who have sex with men.” Again what about the women?lezgetreal.com

You should read the whole article.

AS Prop 8 makes its way to the BIG COURT…. I revisit its impact on my child…

How the Hate for 8 Hurt my Child…

Before the California Court ruled  I asserted in my blog “The fate of California’s same-sex marriage hangs in the balance, as the Justices prepare their ruling on the challenges to the validity of Proposition 8.” Now is has ruled and the impact is so egregious that the most unlikely suspects are taking it to the highest Courts.  I truly believe it will be ditched and we will gain equality.  However in my probably lunatic attempt to influence the spiritual and ‘ karmatic’  I remind the Universe of the story of my children….. and republish this article…… first published May 20, 2009. at http://lezgetreal.com/?p=13261

In my house of two married moms, we remain overtly safe from this decision as long as it is not declared invalid retroactively. How will I explain that to my children? If the result is not favorable, I am faced with having to inform my children that gay and lesbians are no longer allowed to marry under the law of this State.

The unfairness of being placed in this bewildering wait triggers memories of the pre-Prop 8 fight and my quest to protect my daughters from the worst pain imaginable “your family is not a family!”

My daughter, HC, is as well adjusted as any child; she has been around the world a few times, hence her sophistication belies her short twelve years. She is engaging and endearing and born to lead. Kind, loving and perceptive, when a toddler she earned the name “little Buddha.”  A keen, astute student, each year she adores her assigned teachers and tends to hold them in the highest esteem. They are her heroes and in turn she is their delight. This is a kid who never wants to miss school. She loves it!

When the California Court first ruled favorably for same-sex marriage we were the first lesbian couple to be married by our Rabbi, at our congregation temple.  My kids had a great time and together with twenty other kids all dressed in white walked down the aisle toward the ‘Chuppah’ in most traditional fashion.  It was a big event for our community and family came from around the world. My children were so invested in the wedding as for them it presented a validation and celebration of our little family of four.

Three months of gay marriage and then enter Proposition 8 together with the egregious advertisements facilitated by the millions of hateful dollars sent from Utah’s Mormon community to California, intent on promoting the proposition that would serve to outlaw same-sex marriage. The very idea of it, least of all a yes vote, served to insult our recently acknowledged family.

About two weeks before the November 2008 election and the impending prop 8 vote, HC and I were driving our route to school. We noticed that overnight what used to be one lone “No on Prop 8” on Central Avenue had morphed into a “NO on 8” at each and every home down our neighborhood’s main street. Later we found out that the lone sign outside the home a lesbian mom, kept getting torn down; day after day she would restore the sign until eventually overnight the entire neighborhood put up the NO sign in support of their neighbor. I remember remarking how amazing it was to see everyone in our midst against prop 8.

As we drove through the reasuring tunnel of “no on 8’s,” our comfort was short lived as we exited the micro and entered the macro – yes that nasty world at large reared its beastly head as amidst our usual morning tussle between Stephanie Miller and Radio Disney, an advertisement popped on the radio.

“……and your children will be forced to learn about homosexuality and gays it will be taught in the schools; ….. your churches will be forced to marry them… blah..”

I glanced at my child and noticed an odd expression on her usually placid face, one which I will not easily forget, and she asked, “Mom I don’t get what is wrong with other kids learning about my type of family?”  I was stunned!  The advertisement had placed a perspective calling for this very question; but why my child? We have lived our lives so openly and relish the good fortunate of our supportive community, where our ‘same-sex-ness’ is the least of our day to day issues.

It was as if HC had received a slap across her face. The advertisement had clearly hurt my child; its viciousness was not something she had been subjected to before. What could be worse than adults lashing out like that at children? It was direct and personal and having heard it before, was not personally outraged as when I realized the irresponsibility and how damaging those lies were to my babies. Now I had to come up with an answer to this ferocious fanaticism. I explained, “Hun, we live in a world where peoples are often so full of fear  which is usually because of ignorance,  – there are all sorts of different families – but they have usually only experienced their own. The unknown teririfies them; so they lash out in this way. What you heard on that ad, was unfair and contorted, but that is how the people who are against the idea of same-sex marriage think they can get other people to join their way of thinking.”  

 I provided more reassurance as best I could.   A few more questions and answers later we arrived at school, and went on with the next two weeks, during which time HC and my four year old accompanied me to various “NO ON 8” rallies; “no on 8, no on 8,” a battle cry still performed by my 4 year old whenever she sees the number 8, whether in the market, at school or in the movies.

So came the vote:  The “Yes” win was a shock and a huge upset; I had a lot more explaining to do; “mom is our marriage okay are we still married? (Our marriage is clearly viewed by my kids as a family event!) Then came one of the saddest moments in my life, on the day after the election, when HC came home from school and told me that her class teacher had told the group she had voted for John McCain. Living in Marin County California, I do believe the kids found this quite odd, and I explained we all have the right to vote as we choose. But then she announced, “Mom it is sooo weird Mrs. Ray also told the class that she voted “yes” on Prop 8; but I think she must have been just joking!”  

Well long story short, she was not joking – and my child was completely and utterly shattered.  Trying to hide her emotions for the next three weeks, I noticed a big change. She was not so keen about school. In fact after a week with a substitute teacher she came home devastated that he was leaving. I realized it was less about the loss of the sub teacher and more about Mrs. Ray’s return.

Despite my promise to HC to keep hush, “I flew like a bat out of hell” to see the Principal, who, ironically an “out” lesbian, was not surprised to see me show up on the issue; she mentioned that I was the fourth parent to complain about this lack of discretion on the part of the teacher. I explained that my child was extremely conflicted in trying to reconcile her respect and admiration for her teacher with her love and pride for her family. My child moved classroom and she adores her new teacher.

Fortunately, HC is back to being her happy self, but a deep and profound wound has been inflicted on her free and safe spirit.   If proposition 8 is upheld by the pending judicial decision, I truly believe that my child will suffer more emotional harm, through the perceived aberration of her family. It is so unjust and so unfair. Our children do not deserve to be the political pawns of the divisive and fearful bigots and religious right in our country.  We are family values and we are entitled to equality. My children are facts of life and they cannot be relegated to some second class category that diminishes us as a family. As a Mom I vow to carry on fighting for the sameness my babies, by virtue of their very existence deserve.

I have to show my child that our family is worth fighting for and that anything short of complete equality is simply not good enough.  I think this story illustrates the far reaching effects of de jure disqualification and the de facto reality of inequality. Whether we receive equal rights or not, nothing will derogate from the fact that we are here; us, our wives and our kids and nothing can or will ever change that simple fact.

Until such time as DOMA disappears, Prop 8 ditched- every US State allows gay marriage -our children will be marginalized as my daughter was when her teacher basically told her –‘You are not the same – you are not entitled.

So good forces I leave it to you….. remember we are all deserve our little bit of the “right to pursue happiness”

DITCH Prop 8 – Human Rights and Decency

MARK  MY WORDS - This will be a Victory for the Rejection of Prop 8! 

A Federal judge in San Francisco today set a January trial date for a challenge to California’s ban on same-sex marriage.

Attorneys Theodore Olson and David Boies filed a federal lawsuit in May on behalf of a lesbian couple from Berkeley and a gay couple from Burbank challenging the constitutionality of Proposition 8.

U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker said today the trial will begin Jan. 11, and also ruled that the San Francisco City Attorney’s Office will be allowed to join the lawsuit on the side of the plaintiffs.  This is good news.

In the meantime I say “jolly well done young lady!” Gender Identity Test for South African Teen World Champ Athlete, Caster Semenya

Caster Semenya, an 18-year-old South African, dominated the women’s 800 meters in Berlin on Wednesday at the 2009 World Championships. While she ought to be track and field’s newest star, instead, in less than the time it took to win the race, 1:55.45 minutes, the accomplishment produced a hail of speculation, one ominously oozing with gender, racial and political insinuations. Semenya crossed the finish line in what should have been one of the triumphs of a young life and the pride of a country whose sports stars wear crowns of national heroes.  However instead her gender identity was placed into question, negating the well deserved glory, at least and hopefully for a short time only.

Having spent my childhood in sport crazy South Africa during the astounding world record days of backstroke swimmer 12 year old hero, Karen Muir, I understand the excitement of a teenage wonder and sincerely hope that she will safely remain recognized as a woman with an outstanding achievement. Looking at the pictures she seems to me like a magnificently well built young woman. Caster Semenya is muscular and broad.  Seven of the women in the field competed in strappy bra tops complimented by either boy shorts or bikini-style bottoms; Caster Semenya raced in a top that looked more like a tight half T-shirt and in jammer-style shorts that extended down nearly to her knees. She won by more than two seconds in a race in which it can be normal to win by hundredths.

The runner-up, Kenya’s Janeth Jepkosgei, was the 2007 Worlds winner in this event. After the amazing run, the IAAF’s general secretary, Pierre Weiss, disclosed that the investigation was two-fold, ongoing both in South Africa and in Berlin. Officials citing medical privacy concerns, still mentioned the age old and now almost extinct gender verification tests will be conducted to determine her gender. Davies stressed that the situation was not one in which authorities suspect fraud — that is, the deliberate entry of one known to be a man in a woman’s race. Instead, he said, the question is whether Caster Semenya is entitled to be in the women’s draw. “There is a need, of course, to make sure that the rules are followed and make clear women should compete in women’s competitions,” he said, adding the IAAF was “absolutely” taking the matter “seriously.”

The complexities of the matter are hardly limited to issues of gender. Caster Semenya is black in a country still struggling to emerge from decades of institutionalized racism. From a time when black South Africans could not compete against white South Africans and from a reality where the Country was specifically banned from the Olympics and International sport. Her gold is South Africa’s first medal at the 2009 Worlds and that country’s track and field authorities had to know going into these championships that it might well be South Africa’s only medal. Should this young star have been tossed onto the world stage in such a manner and should the competitors and officials have welcomed her in this unorthodox fashion simply for how she looks? What about her dignity as a human, an ambassador for her Country and as an athlete.

Her coach, Michael Seme, was quoted in a story published on the South African website sport24 as saying, “We understand that people will ask questions because she looks like a man. It’s a natural reaction and it’s only human to be curious.” However Castor does not have male body parts and considers herself a woman so what the heck – just because she is so good and has a gorgeous muscular physique. Gender verification can involve medical and other physical evaluations that require expertise in gynecology, psychology, internal medicine and in the combination of features that typically distinguish female from male.

It used to be the case in the 1960s in Olympic circles that sex-verification tests were common for female athletes. The IOC in the late 1990s abolished widespread use of the practice. Even so, there remain some cases in international competitions in which the gender of an athlete becomes at issue. In 2006, for instance, a middle-distance runner from India, Santhi Soudarajan, lost her silver medal at the Asian Games after failing a sex-verification test.

 Lets see what happens in the meantime I say “jolly well done young lady!” 

Information obtained from other news sources: AP Berlin- By Ryan Lucas and Caster Semenya: The champion, the controversy Alan Abrahamson / Universal Sports http://www.universalsports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?and previously blogged by Melanie Nathan for www.Lezgetreal.com 

Asian and Pacific Islander Organizations – Ask for Immigration Reform

API ORGANIZATIONS IN CALIFORNIA UNITE TO DEMAND FAIR & HUMANE IMMIGRATION REFORM

August 20, 2009 -LOS ANGELES, CA – In Historic Filipinotown, Asian and Pacific Islander (API) organizations called on the Obama Administration and Congress for enact fair and humane comprehensive immigration reform.

In simultaneous press conferences held in Los Angeles and San Francisco, community leaders and members kicked off the National API Week of Action, shedding light on how the immigration system affects API immigrants and their families. This week of action (August 17 to 22) uplifts API voices in the national debate on immigration reform.

 Family reunification is the primary reason APIs come to the U.S., but API families suffer some of the worst immigration backlogs. “Filipinos must wait up to 22 years for an immigrant visa to join their family members in the U.S.,” said Sherwin Shakramy, Program Development Coordinator of the Filipino American Service Group, Inc. “This long separation of families is unacceptable – we want efficient and timely processing of visas that facilitate the reunification of families.” 

 Eileen Ma of API-Equality, Los Angeles, also states, “We need to provide a pathway to legalization for the 35,000 bi-national same sex couples currently living here. U.S. immigration policy is largely based on the principle of family reunification, allowing for the sponsor of spouses and other family members for immigration purposes. But because of a limited definition of family and the failure to recognize same-sex marriages, same-sex partners of U.S. citizens and green card holders are not considered as family. API couples are more likely to be kept apart, torn apart, or forced to stay together illegally, because of high numbers of foreign-born individuals in the API community.” 

  [click here for the full press release in PDF].

 

Judge Denies Gay Groups in Federal Prop 8 Case, Sets Trial Date

 

At the hearing I posted about earlier today, U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker set a January 11 trial date for a federal challenge to Proposition 8 brought by Ted Olson, David Boies, and the American Foundation for Equal Rights. The Alliance Defense Fund, which is defending Prop 8, had argued Friday that the case could be quickly decided without a trial. Boies and Olson wanted a trial before a judge without a trial before the end of the year. PER TOWELROAD read entire article ….

AJR 15 -California on its way in Support of UAFA

Gina Capiro, Amos Lim, Assembly Member Kevin de Leon, Melanie Nathan

Today, together with Gina Capiro, I had the great honor of providing testimony on behalf of the thousands of binational same-sex partners, for Resolution AJR 15 which in essence will serve to provide California’s legislature’s support of the Uniting American Families Act and equality in the immigration laws of the US, for same-sex permanent partners. 

A victory for our issue and at the same time a lesson in the divisiveness of ‘party-lines.’  It was astounding to witness; to tell the personal story of my family’s hardship with this inequality, about how I was faced with a possible choice between my two daughters, because  I could not petition for my same-sex spouse to remain in the US in the same was a straight American could; and then to hear the Republican’s, “nay” regardless of the hardship to their fellow Americans.  They just did not care about the 36,000 binational couples out there – ! 

In fact one of the members  of the Committee Jeff Miller- (R- 71st Assembly District, which takes in much of Western Riverside County and the Eastern edge of Orange County,)  stated that he wanted everyone to know why he was voting ‘no’ on all three LGBT Resolutions in the committee. He was doing it because he said that “California has decided ….”  Referring to Prop 8; of course did not end his sentence; the incomplete implication  – ‘California has decided that gays do not count – their families and their de facto lives are invalid. ’  He then went on to say, how his constituents and the rest who believe in the Defense of Marriage Act would be and I quote “hurt” if gays were recognized in this way.   In piecing his statement together, I think he was referring to a “NOTION” – the notion of marriage being between one man and one woman  – if that were undermined then his constituents would be hurt.   Well – it was clear to me -that the gentleman, who by the way also has two daughters – mmm wonder what he would feel if he had to choose between them?)  was in absolute lock-step; no compassion, no heart, just the “PARTY.” Need I say more?

 Shows pure ignorance on the issue – UAFA is legislation that has nothing to do with marriage per se; if anything it will grant a special right in recognition of DOMA as a restriction to LGBT ability to Petition under the immigration Law.

So thanks to the Author and co sponsors of AJR 15, and to  Alice Kessler of EQCA for her amazing work. We are really lucky to have her doing what she does for us.  Seeing her in action today on three issues, I can only imagine all the work that must have gone into the day. Also to Amos for of Out4Immigration who had much to do with promoting the authoring of this Resolution and to Gina for her very moving testimony and the volunteer work she does for our community.  Also thanks to Out4Immigration for all their work fighting forequality in immigration.

 Letters received today – from Amos Lim to Out4Immigration Members and Alice Kessler, EQCA:-

Hello all,

I just wanted to report to our friends on the listserv that AJR 15 passed the Assembly Judiciary Committee this morning by a 6-3 party line vote!

I want to especially thank Melanie, Gina and Amos for coming to the hearing in person. Your stories were courageous and compelling, and a good reminder of why we keep fighting the good fight. Hopefully we’ll soon move our nation’s discriminatory immigration laws into the dustbin of history.

Thanks again for your inspiring work!

-Alice

Alice Kessler
Government Affairs Director
Equality California :: Equality California Institute
Find out more about EQCA’s current legislation
http://www.eqca.org/legislation/2008 

From Amos Lim:

Hi Folks,

I just came back from Sacramento to attend the California Assembly Judiciary 
Committee hearing and to show that Out4Immigration supports Assembly 
Joint Resolution 15  which puts CA on record as supporting the passage 
of Uniting American Families Act as well as supporting the inclusion 
of UAFA in Reuniting Families Act.

The judiciary committee heard the testimony of Gina Capiro, who 
actually just landed on US soil this morning at 2am with her partner, 
and Melanie Nathan. The committee also heard comments from 
organizations in support of the bill, which included EQCA (Equality 
California – the sponsor of the bill), AACRE (Asian American for Civil 
Rights and Equality), California Immigrant Policy Center (CIPC), 
Out4Immigration and a few other organizations.

There were 4 resolutions being heard today  and 3 of them are LGBT 
bills.  Of the 3 LGBT bills, one of them is to remove the ban on gay 
man donating blood, the second is Supporting the passage of UAFA and 
the third is urging congress to repeal DOMA.

We have very positive feedback from the Democrats on the judiciary 
committee and Gina’s and Melanie’s testimony was so compelling that 
when all the witnesses spoke in support of the bill (there were no 
opposition organization present), Assemblyman Davy Jones just 
indicated that the story breaks his heart and it is wrong for the 
government to do this to same sex couples and he immediately ask for 
the committee to vote for the bill and send it to the floor.

The vote was 6 – 3, and the 3 who objected were all Republicans.  No 
surprise there.

The joint resolutions will be send to the floor for a vote soon and we 
are sure it will passed.  The next step is to have the senate take up 
the same resolution and pass it.

It is therefore important now to get more organizations to support 
this resolution and have them send in a letter of support.  If you 
want to help us get more organizations to write letter of support, 
please contact me at amos@out4immigration.org

Many thanks to Gina for braving little sleep and for providing such a 
touching testimony about the struggles she and her partner are going 
through…  Thanks to Melanie too for her testimony and for her work 
on this issue.

Cheers,
Amos Lim, Treasurer & Founding Board Member
amos@out4immigration.org
415.742.1626 (new number)

 

IRONY-DU-JOUR taken from Republican Assemblymember JEFF MILLER’S Website - for the 71st District -
Where they care about families and children – they keep kids safe – UNLESS their parents are gay!

DOMA … what the…. *&^%*&^&* ?

White House Files Papers Against Defense Of Marriage Act Case 8/17/09-by Paula Brooks see

In what seems a something of a contradiction, the Obama Justice Department has filed court papers today defending the Defense of Marriage Act… The Justice Departments lawyers are seeking to dismiss a suit brought by a gay California… read on at www.Lezgetreal.com

Article du jour

Federal judge reviews arguments in Prop. 8 case Bob Egelko, Chronicle Staff Writer Sunday, August 16, 2009 Sunday, August 16, 2009

For one side in the federal court battle over same-sex marriage in California, Proposition 8 was just the latest example of historical persecution of gays and lesbians based on sexual orientation.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/08/15/BA4J196JHC.DTL#ixzz0OMnLKxRf

Oblogdee’s re-blog du Jour

Paula Brooks on Lez Get Real – Oblogdee’s re-blog of the day

Thursday night, Clinton was in Pittsburgh delivering the opening keynote address at Netroots Nation 2009, and defending President Obama and the Democratic health care initiatives against “crazy’’ accusations by right wingers… when former Human Rights Campaign staffer and ‘News For the Left’ ninja blogger Lane Hudson “ambushed him,” asking ol’ 0042 if he would “call for a repeal of DOMA and Don’t Ask Don’t Tell right now? Please.”lezgetreal.com, Clinton…. Bill Clinton takes on blogger over DOMA and Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, Aug 2009

You should read the whole article and check out the video

Ca Traditional Marriage Defender getting divorced…. ala ugly

 I was quoted today in an article by Paula Brooks:

Melanie Nathan, a Private Courts mediator in California told LGR this morning, “Under California law, the moment a divorce is filed and the papers served, both parties are automatically restrained from alienating community property. It is hard to imagine that a sophisticated businessman like Mr. Manchester would not know this. He certainly has the legal resources to advise him.”lezgetreal.com, California traditional marriage defender Doug Manchester getting divorced, Aug 2009………….   you  should read the whole article………………….

Ghastly Grassley Town Hall meets with the Dumber than JOE the Plumber

This guy is nuts to think that smart people like me will be duped into believing there is any validity to statements such as this. If he was smart enough to land a seat in the Senate, I bet he does not even believe this crap himself. However he is one of many who simply do not want President Obama to succeed at any cost, even to throw our chances of healthcare reform under the proverbial bus. Sarah Palin read article on EXTRA EXTRA

Thanks EQCA – California Assembly Judiciary Committee will be hearing testimony on AJR 15, a California resolution to support the federal Uniting American Families Act (UAFA).

     

The Stories Of Shirley Tan and oter families

Eliminate Immigration Barriers for Same-Sex Couples  

 

    The Assembly Judiciary Committee will be hearing testimony on AJR 15, a California resolution to support the federal Uniting American Families Act (UAFA).

The resolution, introduced by Assembly Member Kevin de León (D-Los Angeles) and co-sponsored by Equality California (EQCA) and Asian Americans for Civil Rights and Equality (AACRE), formally requests that the US Congress pass and President Barack Obama sign the UAFA. Under current federal law, American citizens are permitted to sponsor an opposite-sex (Uniting American families Act spouse applying for legal residency. The UAFA would extend this basic right to committed same-sex couples, who are currently prohibited from sponsoring their partners.

 The Uniting American Families Act (UAFA, H.R. 1024, S. 424) is a U.S. bill to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate discrimination in the immigration laws by permitting permanent partners of United States citizens and lawful permanent residents to obtain lawful permanent resident status in the same manner as spouses of citizens and lawful permanent residents and to penalize immigration fraud in connection with permanent partnerships.

Why  this resolution is important for California, says Amos Lim founding Board member of Out4 Immigration, “It is important to get CA on record as supporting the passage of Uniting American Families Act because our state has the highest number of same sex binational couples living here.  According to the studies conducted by Williams Institute, there are about 30% or 10,000 binational couples living here and our representative needs to take a stand for equality and pass this important bill.”

On-site interviews will be available :  Providing testimony :

Melanie Nathan, of Marin County and a Commissioner on the Marin County Human Rights Commission who could not Petition for Israeli partner for residency in the U.S.nterviews nathan@privatecourts.com

 Gina Caprio cannot Petition for British partner for residency in the U.S

Alice Kessler, Government Affairs Director, Equality California

Santosh Seeram-Santana, Legislative Advocate, Asian Americans for Civil Rights   and Equality

Amos Lim, Founding Board Member and Treasurer, Out4Immigration

 When: Tuesday, August 18, 2009 at 9:00 AM  Where: State Capitol, Room 4202 

 Equality California (EQCA) is the largest statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender-rights advocacy organization in California. In the past decade, EQCA has strategically moved California from a state with extremely limited legal protections for LGBT individuals to a state with some of the most comprehensive civil-rights protections in the nation. EQCA has passed over 50 pieces of legislation and continues to advance equality through legislative advocacy, public education and community empowerment. www.eqca.org

Congratulations Amos Community Hero

I have had the great pleasure of working with Amos and really enjoyed his company this past weekend when we attended the OCA conference in San Francisco.  Amos is so easy to work with and a wealth of knowledge.  Its almost as if his name is synonymous with LGBT immigration equality. 

Congratulations to Out4Immigration founding board member Amos Lim!  Amos has been named this week’s Community Hero by Energy 92.7FM and AT&T in San Francisco for his work as a leading activist for equal immigration rights in the US with Out4Immigration. For many years now, Amos, who came to America on a student visa and his American partner, Mickey, have been blazing trails for the rights of same-sex binational couples first with a bill in Congress called the Permanent Partner Immigration Act (PPIA), which later became the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA; S.424; H.R. 1024).

In 2006 the couple, along with a handful of others, founded Out4Immigration to further the cause. In this capacity Amos, now a permanent resident of the US, has transformed into a tireless activist for LGBT immigration rights.  He has built coalitions with other LGBT and immigrant groups, spoken at community forums and given numerous interviews and published op-eds on the need to include LGBT people and their families in comprehensive immigration reform and to end the archaic and cruel HIV travel ban. Amos regularly meets with local, state and national elected officials to ask them to support the UAFA and got the city of San Francisco to pass an ordinance urging support of this legislation.

He is now currently working on getting the state of California to do the same. Amos is also a member of the City of San Francisco’s LGBT Advisory Committee where he advocates for the immigration rights of LGBT families. Amos Lim is a community hero is every sense of the term. He demonstrates what it means to believe that there is a wrong to be righted and to take action in an area where few others have been brave enough to go. Thank you Amos, from everyone at Out4Immigration. You have always been our hero, and we are happy to share you with the rest of the community! (Kathy Drasky) 

Why Healthcare has Impacted Uniting American Families Act… because it has in essence halted Comprehensive Immigration Reform

Not unpredictable - says Melanie Nathan, author of this post!

 

 

Press Conference – Mexico-

Today President Obama confirmed some of my fears in so far as they relate to Uniting American Families Act - UAFA and comprehensive immigration reform (CIR).  

“I’ve got a lot on my plate and it’s very important for us to sequence these big initiatives so they don’t crash at the same time,” Obama said when asked by a reporter about the prospects for immigration reform.”

When asked the question by the Reporter from the New York Times, the President drew the now terrifying comparative, revealing a new barometer for success for reform legislation – ‘the Health Care debate debacle.’  Obama alluded to this notion when he made the above quoted comment that the sequence of these “big initiatives” is relevant, noting that health care reform is still an ongoing battle.  The President said   “I am unable to snap my fingers and get it done.” 

If  health care reform is anything to go on, imagine the tussle when CIR is introduced.  It has the propensity to go on forever.   It has a greater propensity to avoid or negotiate out wedge issues such as LGBT equality in immigration law through inclusion of permanent partner language, which would allow Gays and lesbians to petition for permanent partners for immigration purposes.

Recently Julie Kruse published an article in the Washington Blade. Julie is employed by Immigration Equality (IE), a preeminent LGBT immigration equality organization. I have been critical in the past about veering away from UAFA as a stand alone focus and saw the writing on the wall when IE changed strategy.

Julie says in her article:

“Including our families in comprehensive immigration reform, if successful, will not only be a watershed moment for couples impacted directly by discriminatory immigration policies, It also will be an important accomplishment for the community as a whole. If LGBT voters bring new support to a large, comprehensive bill, we also bring credibility to other fights that impact our families, too. That’s why it is so important that our community support comprehensive immigration reform and urge Congress to pass an inclusive reform package that benefits us.

Comprehensive immigration reform will not be easy. Previous attempts to pass such legislation have failed. But, if LGBT voters can bring our champions to the table in support of an inclusive bill this time, we have a chance of making a real difference not just for our families, but for every family suffering under the current immigration system.

There is a real Doing so will require opportunity, right now, to score a legislative victory. enthusiastic support from each of us, and calls to our lawmakers insisting that no reform is truly comprehensive unless it includes our families, too. That, in turn, creates momentum for equality that our entire community, regardless of whether or not we are part of a bi-national couple, can benefit from.”

My contention is that if and when CIR is drafted and if it does include UAFA, that we will get consumed by this Obama-esque “big initiative,” which I predicted in my first article on the subject.  Once LGBT language is in CIR our congressional representatives will use CIR as an excuse to keep us at bay and UAFA with all its sponsors will snooze on a shelf and perhaps rot while CIR is kicked around in yet another  KILL-THE-BILL  game, like we are witnessing now with heath care reform. Bi-nationals were told that UAFA is  “it” and now they are being told and I quote the Julie Kruse of IE again “THERE’S A BATTLE looming for LGBT families that we can win now…..” and then in effect ditches UAFA as first option and replaces it with CIR – to effect the now!  

I am calling on Immigration Equality to re strategize and change their course back to the original focus.  The focus on UAFA, what it represents to binationals currently in exile or in hiding, its use to raise funds for IE has veered off track and instead of fighting for what we have been promised in countless web posts, we are have been scratching the backs of those who clearly have their own cause and now that cause is on hold.

At the very least, I am wondering if IE will now realize that CIR is a long shot in terms of timing and heed to Obama’s statement about sequence. I don’t believe that it can be “done now” through CIR as Julie Kruse suggests and again I am calling for a UAFA focus.

When Senator Schumer announces his draft CIR bill and includes LGBT language we should all applaud, but we need to keep pressing for UAFA as a stand-alone, even amongst existing supporters.    

With messages such as this we cannot delay any longer waiting for CIR as the organizations have been doing since June 3^rd when there was a prime opportunity  for Immigration equality to piggy back the momentum of the Shirley Tan story and hearing on UAFA before  the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing.  

To reinforce this halt, Obama said that we have a “pretty big stack of bills.”   UAFA depicts a remedy for a particular issue of equality.  Our representatives should be working with their colleagues in the house to gain support. That is their duty to their constituents and I am not seeing that happen.  In other words if your representative already supports UAFA please write and ask what they are doing about it now?  Ask if they are willing to do anything to move it forward, and ask what was the result of the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing?

I have been getting many emails from supporters of UAFA asking what they can be doing if their congress person already supports UAFA.  My answer has been to still contact them regularly to ask what they have done to promote its passage – have they tried to influence other members of congress- and if you are in a binational relationship suggest that your REP use your story as an example of the unfairness in immigration equality.  You can also help in the education process, n matter what State you live in. 

Obama went on to say “I know we are going to get it done but it will take long,”   Binationals have waited ten years with bills laying around – we are not willing to wait any longer.   In a reversal of strategy the organizations ought to be using Obama’s words on CIR as a reason to push UAFA – because as soon as CIR comes out and includes our language, we are going to be on the back burner and this time with 12 million more than our 36,000.

Kruse asserts “Now, the LGBT community is at a significant tipping point to ensure inclusion of our families in this legislation. “   I agree but please do not depend on this as a strategy. Even a dual strategy at this point is perilous. Keep the UAFA focus as a stand alone and if it ends up in passage through CIR great!

Organization of Chinese Americans 2009 Conference, San Francisco,

When in Rome do as the Romans do!” An expression that clearly works – when you come to San Francisco – do as the San Frannies do….. LGBT equality is imperative and the OCA (Organization of Chinese Americans ) gratefully took heed!~ Please read Article/ Post specifically exclusive to Lez Get Real

A New American Sport – “KILL-THE-BILL”

A New American Sport – “Kill The Bill.” 

 A cross between Quidditch ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quidditch) and Rugby, a new and most perilous sport has emerged out of the  Bill debate for Healthcare reform. 

Current Champ  is  ”Just a Mom” –

This is how it works – and truly– if you play -you risk not only your life, but mine, albeit I am a mere spectator! 

The Game:-There are two sides; the GOPPY team and the other the DEMMY  team.  Each side must dress in like manner to confuse the other side. So no one knows who is who.  The confusion engendered by this is what makes the game so dangerous. 

The Stakes are high – life or death for some – as I said before even spectators are at risk.  The Location – Local town halls; The Referee a member of Congress.  

The play: -   Ref stands up and speaks about a series of Bills to reform healthcare in the USA, with the notion that both Goppy’s and Demmy’s will debate the pro and cons of the Bills.  

Before the Ref has an opportunity to speak to the Bill, the Goppy side seeks to distract the Demmy side by deflecting attention, through a strategy known as scream and yell and lie about who you are and why you are there.  The GOPPY sends out the first player and the last player and the Demmies never get to send any at all.  No one in the room has a clue what the Goppies are saying – it is all a very loud secret.   

The next move is to point and scream – a great GOPPY player is one who can faint or ensure a tear dribbling down a check. The most desired result is a scuffle – scuffles are great The Goppy’s know why they are there.  Their purpose is to disrupt the Ref.  The Demmy’s don’t have a clue that the Goppy’s are going to make these moves and so their job is to sit there stunned.

Demmies just sit there – that is if the Demmy team was lucky enough to get invited to its game, the first place -sitting in disbelief the Demmy must engage in the  occasional gurgle  thinking their team may gain some traction, usually to no avail.

Winner takes all  – if the game ends in dusty bodies and torn shorts, the game has been a success – however no one knows who has won? No one will ever know who has one; in fact the game is unique in that it is a no win game. It is an all loser game. The rough tough salacious Goppy hooligans and the  seriously subdued dubious Demmy’s simply cannot further the much needed engagement and poor Ref, simply a  waste of time, especially if impartiality in the interests of American healthcare is tainted by the R that follows the Ref’s name.  I know this is very confusing –   but the game is like organized crime – it is organized and wrong….  Like Quidditch because it is so astounding and like rugby because it is merely a brawl! 

I am not sure how much longer this ridiculous sport will adorn our channels and disrupt our democracy, but one thing I have learnt is that ultimately the bully always loses.  

Is this game working and if so to do what – maybe  to revert to an old game, instead of KILL THE BILL – how about – HAVE A DISCUSSION?  

Melanie Nathan © copyright 2009.

Carla Grande and Britta – a binational couple

 I had the great privilege of working with Carla Grande to effect the release of Britta from detention in Florida last month.  Thanks to Congressman Nadler,  Britta is now home in New York, and awaiting her asylum case.  As seen in the post below, Carla has now written to Senator Schumer to remind him to ensure LGBT equality in future comprehensive immigration reform.  There is a cumulative effort now on the part of many individuals and groups to secure LGBT inclusion in any new related Bills.  I agree that new draft legislation which fails to do so, especially if penned by supporters such as Senator Schumer, would fall short of its very description – “Comprehensive Immigration Reform” or Reunting Families..  Hence the following publication of a letter to Senator Schumer.   I am open to publishing letters on this BLOG that serve to support this issue. Contact Melanie Nathan at nathan@privatecurts.com

A Letter to Senator Schumer

This is getting a lot of attention – UAFA Foot Soldiers please join the Brigade

VISIT – Out 4 Immigration Action Kit.  
Please spread to word to as many States and Blogs as possible.

There is so much going on – all the LGBT organizations are putting out uniform calls to action – ENDA-DADT- DOMA – this being the time now! Now!  Now!    In this scrap for your attention, I hear this Hortonesque sound, a speckle of a voice; it is small and it is getting louder.  It is as loud as you want to hear it and so we leave the world of Dr. Seuss and enter Julius Caesar with “friends, Americans, and Countrypersons…lend me your ears….”   Okay this is not funny this is serious, but now that I have your ears in my sack of slack I scream and you hear, “ WHAT ABOUT US?   BINATIONALS – UAFA!”   ….. read on…….

Binational  is a term coined to denote LGBT spouses/partners who by virtue of US exclusionary laws

Please read Melanie Nathan’s blog on Lez Get real at – http://lezgetreal.com/?p=20155 

Mazeltov- eat your words Sessions! She is going to prove you wrong again…..

Today, by a 68 – 31 vote, the U.S. Senate overwhelmingly voted to confirm Judge Sonia Sotomayor as the next Associate Justice of the Supreme Court!

I couldn’t be more thrilled that this talented and experienced judge will be joining the highest court in the land. She will be an amazing asset to our country on the Supreme Court.

This is a time to celebrate to  cpngratulate Justice Sotomayor right now. Go to Senator Boxer’s site to

Sign our online congratulations card for Justice Sonia Sotomayor right now — and offer your own personal best wishes as well!

Melanie Nathan
 

PUSH FOR PASSAGE – Out 4 Immigration Deploys….. for UAFA

melanie nathan

If you check and affirm more than one of the following  items listed below, then this Article applies to you:-     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Do you believe that all people should be treated equally
• Do you endorse “the right to pursue happiness”  as per the US constitution
• When faced with the choice would you have a hard time chosing between your spouse and your Country
• Do you think the Obama administration can do more for the LGBT community
• Do you think Congress should pass ENDA
• Do you think Congress  end DADT
• and ditch DOMA
• Do you have a heart
• Is it beating in your chest, still  ?     If you got this far…. read on….

 There is so much going on – all the LGBT organizations are putting out uniform calls to action – ENDA-DADT- DOMA – this being the time now! Now!  Now!

In this scrap for your attention, I hear this Hortonesque sound, a speckle of a voice; it is small and it is getting louder.  It is as loud as you want to hear it and so we leave the world of Dr. Seuss and enter Julius Caesar with “friends, Americans, and Countrypersons…lend me your ears….”   Okay this is not funny this is serious, but now that I have your ears in my sack of slack I scream and you hear, “ WHAT ABOUT US?   BINATIONALS – UAFA!”

Binational  is a term coined to denote LGBT spouses/partners who by virtue of US exclusionary laws are treated unequally; whereas straight US spouses have the right to petition under immigration law for fiancé visas and spousal immigration, the US Partner/spouse of a binational couple is not afforded this inherent right and cannot petition for a partner. Hence here is our call to action.  Allies are sought NOW  - urgently. Please speak out for those less fortunate. Those on the UAFA waiting list – because their congress members either know nothing of their plight or are sitting back in Co-sponsor complacency.

The ‘UAFA Waiting List’  is one no one wants to be on – it is one that keeps binational exiles abroad, others in hiding, and inter alia some fifty year olds pleading to stop time so that they are not sixty by the time they get to cohabit with their spouses/partners.

This year a synchronicity of events and increased sponsorship of UAFA gives us hope that maybe we can gain more support in this 111th Congress in a push for passage of the Uniting American Families Act.  We are urging fast and prompt action – where all and anyone can help by contacting representatives and pushing for this legislation.  While binationals are doing their own work, it would make a significant difference if support could be engendered from straight allies, clergy, organizations, state legislatures and of course the LGBT community at large. 

Binational couples need your help. Unlike other unfortunate discriminatory practices against our community, here in the US and abroad, this is the one that either keeps partners apart or forces them to choose between heart and home.

I had the great pleasure this past month working with Out4 Immigration in developing their Grassroots Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) Campaign, manifesting in a comprehensive and invaluable Action Kit.  The Kit introduces the campaign to Out4Immigration’s abundant membership throughout the USA and in Exile, abroad and now I am bringing it to you:

“Thank you for participating in our Out4Immigration Congressional Visits, a coast-to-coast effort where we will meet with our Members of Congress during the August Congressional Recess (August 3 – September 4) to keep pushing for the passage of the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) and for its inclusion in Comprehensive Immigration Reform. This kit will give you the basic information you need before, during and after your meetings.”

The contents indicate the extent of the collaboration and work by the extraordinary volunteers of the unfunded Out4Immigration.   The forty page Action Kit covers everything needed to guide participants through the process of advocating for the passage of immigration equality and reform;  guidelines for meeting with members of Congress, Talking Points, Do’s and Do Not’s,  Exit Question Checklist, Sample Letter to Request Meeting, List of Senate Co-sponsors, List of House Co-sponsors,  Tri-Fold Brochure, Testimony and Statements from Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing, Fact Sheet on LGBT Immigration and  UAFA– Stories /Related Media Coverage/Articles.

The Group has taken the further step of devising and setting up an all volunteer tracking system as the members report back about their congressional activities.   Not only does this lend credence to a well coordinated effort, but also assists in a comprehensive and organized check list for future coverage and follow-up. 

There are a few dedicated volunteers who have worked vigorously in their contributions to out4I and the cause, to make this month a productive one for the advancement of UAFA.  They know who they are, and you, the rest,  who can further this mission to one of success also know who you are. So I am writing this piece to urge you all, LGBTQI, Straight, bi-national or not, to read the Action Kit and find what you can do to help in what has been a long and arduous struggle for immigration equality.

In the hope that you will come forward and ask your representatives to support UAFA I urge you to read the KIT and be inspired by remarks such as that of Julian Bond of the NAACP in his testimony at the UAFA hearing on June 3^rd, stated:

 “Given all the benefits, socially, economically, and morally, of ensuring that effective family reunification is an integral part of our nation’s immigration policy there can be no question that the NAACP supports an overhaul of current law to ensure that the family preferences policies are functioning well and without discrimination. As I said earlier, the NAACP would also like to stress that the definition of “family” should not be interpreted so stringently as to omit people who are in a loving, committed relationship but happen to be of the same gender.”

This type of positive support is worthless if it sits in isolation. I t is now our duty to utilize such statements to the advantage of UAFA – by bringing this to the attention of every single member of Congress.  Do not be put-off by Republicans or conservative viewpoints.  This is an opportunity to walk into the consciousness of all of America – It is up to us…Good-luck and lets go for it!   Oh and by the way – when you go and speak to your Rep about ENDA, DADT AND DOMA, DONT forget UAFA! Thanks. 

Now that Senator Feinstein has signed on to ENDA she and the other co-sponsors must be urged to immediately sign on to UAFA.

If you have any questions please contact Melanie Nathan or OUT4Immigration through their websites.

The ACTION KIT can be located at  www.divorcemediators.us – fill out form or go directly to PDF.

For more information and a read into the unconscionable hardship suffered by your fellow American citizens/ residents in their inability to Petition for their partners to immigrate to the USA, here are some references:

http://oblogdeeoblogda.wordpress.com/2009/04/15/update-shirley-tan-deportation-out-of-options/

http://www.out4immigration.org/immigration/page.html?&mimid=JXT45G1GQCVR9GUS471KP1QXJRNGC9PC&cid=1130
Out4Immigration Grassroots Action Kit