Merry Christmas!

We want to wish all our friends and family a very Happy and Merry Christmas!

Alicia's first birthday party.

We celebrate Alicia Yue Xuan Lim's birthday party today in advance of her first birthday which will be on the 19th of December. As requested by Aunt Rona and Christine, here's proof that she has her own cake and she was allowed to mess it up herself... :)

Thanks to all the uncles and aunties and their children that showed up to celebrate with Alicia... we love you all and thank you for celebrating this important occasion with us.

The second part of the movie is coming soon....

Jon Stewart & Mike Hukabee

Need I say more? Jon Stewart spoke eloquently with Mike Hukabee about gay marriage... the real interesting thing that he mentioned during the interview was (1) being religious is a choice, being gay is not.... (2) if being gay is a choice, when did you choose to be straight...?

enough said!

The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10c

Mike Huckabee Pt. 2

Barack Obama Interview
John McCain Interview

Sarah Palin Video
Funny Election Video

Keith Obermann & Same Sex Marriage

Come one, Come all! It's time to show up and let the world know that we will not sit down in silence when our rights are being taken away!

Show up and rally tomorrow!

Event: Marriage Equality and GLBTQI rights Rally
Location: San Francisco City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Pl.
Time: 10:30 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.

For more locations across the nation - go to the website: http://jointheimpact.wetpaint.com/

You Gotta Give Them HOPE!!!!

What can I say - I love Harvey Milk.. i did not know about him until I came to San Francisco 9 years ago and he is an inspiration for us all!

Family Dinner

Here's some videos of Alicia sitting down with grandparents and dads for dinner... :-)

Colin Powell

I have always felt that the Republicans running the campaign have been underhanded and racists... but nobody seemed to call them on it. The media talks about the email circulating that Obama is a muslim... blah blah blah... but nobody that talks about it address the fact that there are Muslims who are Americans, patriotic Americans.... but Colin Powell finally said it yesterday and nailed it.

And thanks to David Poland, a movie critic and columnist, I found the picture that Colin Powell was talking about... what a picture... Now if we could only get General Powell to say that Don't Ask Don't tell is a bad idea..... hmmm....

Our New Ad Refutes Their Lies The opposition has raised over $25 million to “swiftboat” and smear us with television ads that tell lies -- that we are attacking children and churches. That is why we’ve launched a hard-hitting ad that refutes the lies the other side is broadcasting 24/7. Help us flood the airwaves with the truth. Then ask your friends and family to watch the ad and make a donation. Click to contribute>>

Dear Members,

We got a huge wake up call this week. 60,000 people donated more than $25 million to write discrimination into the California Constitution.

With all that money the opposition is "swiftboating" and smearing us with television ads that tell lies -- that we are attacking children and churches.

We refuse to be swiftboated.

We’ve launched our new ad, calling out their lies.

Now we need your help to flood the airwaves and make our case! Will you help us fight back by making a donation?

Research shows our messages beat their lies, but only if we can get them on the air enough to have an impact.

Now is the moment to make another donation if you can and to enlist your friends and family. They will give only if you ask – they need to hear from you why this is so important.Tell them to go to http:/www.NoOnProp8.com/stopthelies to make a donation.

Only 30,000 people from the tens of millions of LGBT people and hundreds of millions of allies in this country have donated to protect our equality. That is not acceptable. We need anybody and everybody to do what they can. Please donate today!

In solidarity,

Amos Lim, 林明利, Community Organizer

API Equality | www.apiequality.org

Asian Pacific American Legal Center Calls for Passage of Uniting American Families Act (UAFA), Repeal of Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)

Out4Immigration Applauds APALC’s Support for Ending Immigration Discrimination against Same-Sex Binational Couples

LOS ANGELES, CA—September 30, 2008—The Asian Pacific American Legal Center of Southern California (APALC) called for an end to immigration discrimination against same-sex binational couples today in a detailed report, “A Devastating Wait: Family Unity and the Immigration Backlogs.”

The 40-page report calls for Congress to pass the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA, H.R. 2221; S. 1328), a bill that would allow gay and lesbian US citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their same-sex partners for immigration to the US. It also calls for the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which it describes as “an obvious and necessary step to ending federal discrimination against gay and lesbian couples.” The full report is available online at: http://tinyurl.com/4kx9h7

“This landmark call to action by APALC is a much needed boost for basic immigration reform in the US, and specifically for the rights of same-sex binational couples,” said Mickey Lim, Vice President of the national grassroots organization Out4Imigration, which advocates for equal immigration rights.

“Fair and just immigration reform seems to have dropped off the radar in this presidential race,” said Lim. “Like APALC, Out4Imigraton knows of 40,000 same-sex binational couples denied the same rights as opposite-sex couples when it comes to being able to stay together with your partner in the US. We are especially grateful to APALC for going that extra mile and calling for a repeal of DOMA, which prohibits the US from recognizing same-sex relationships at the federal level, despite laws in California, Massachusetts and around the world that recognize our marriages.”

The complications brought on by DOMA affect US immigration laws for gay and lesbian Americans. Because DOMA, passed by Congress in 1996, defines marriage in the US as only “that between one man and one woman,” the word “spouse” can only be used by married heterosexual couples. This affects 1,138 laws at the federal level – including immigration law – that use the word “spouse” to provide and enact benefits. Groups like Out4Immigration often work at advocated for change of one specific law, like the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA), to add the words “or permanent partner” wherever the word “spouse” appears to remove the barrier set in place by DOMA.

“No one should have to choose between their partner and their country,” said Lim. “But without legislation like the UAFA in place, that’s exactly what’s happening to gays and lesbians in the United States.”

The UAFA currently has 118 co-sponsors of this legislation in the House (H.R. 2221) and 18 for the bill in the Senate (S. 1328). Unfortunately, there is little hope that these bills will come up for a floor vote before the end of the current Congressional term. Work will begin again immediately in 2009 to re-introduce the legislation, which has been proposed in Congress in every term since 1999 (formerly as the Permanent Partners Immigration Act). An Obama Administration and a Democratic majority in both houses of Congress would likely see more movement on this legislation than in the past.

GLBT advocates are hopeful that the repeal of DOMA could also be part of an Obama Administration. The presidential candidate has said he supports full repeal of this legislation that will ultimately be challenged by freedom to marry laws in states like California and Massachusetts.

# # # ______________

For more information:
Out4Immigration: http://www.out4immigration.org
Asian Pacific American Legal Center of Southern California (APALC): http://www.apalc.org/
The Uniting American Families Act (H.R. 2221): http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:HR02221:
The Uniting American Families Act (S.1328): http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:SN01328:
end

____________
Out4Immigration addresses the widespread discriminatory impact of US immigration laws on the lives of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and HIV+ people and their families through education, outreach, advocacy and the maintenance of a resource and support network. For more information, visit www.out4immigration.org. To schedule interviews with same-sex binational couples who are available to speak with the media on this issue, including Spanish-speaking couples, please contact Amos Lim, amos@out4immigration.org, 415-375-3765 or Kathy Drasky at kathy@out4immigration.org, 415-606-2085.
http://www.out4immigration.org

Thoughts over 20 years

My dear friend Sean, a friend who've I've maintained a relationship for coming on 20 years, has been looking into getting me back to Montana to talk about the start of Lambda Alliance some 20 years ago.

My memory can be swiss cheese at times.  So many holes!  It is thru this warped perspective that so many memories have been flooding back to me about those years.  The struggle seemed endless while the threat palpable and all too real.  This was a time 10 years before Matthew Shepard's crucifixion highlighted the violence and hatred stoically faced by LGBT people every day, year after year.

At times, those early struggles seem so far behind me.  I have everything I could really want.  I have a safe comfortable home in San Francisco, with a husband and a daughter, a circle of family and friends whom I love and who support me.  And in the middle of the night these thoughts came to me and woke me up.  The struggle is not over.  The path to an inclusive yet diverse society, the path for social justice and equality that fulfills the promise of Martin Luther King's 'dream' lies in the basis of Mahatma Gandhi's teaching that "you must be the change you wish to see in the world."

In the midst of the storm, I am proud to have stood OUT and strong.  In starting a LGBT student group, I didn't really know what I was doing, I just knew that doing NOTHING was NOT and option.  I wrote to national organizations like HRC, GLAAD, Lambda Legal, and anyone else I could think to write.  (this was before google and the modern internet)

A few did respond, most asked for money.  As a poor starving College Student, that is the one thing I really didn't have.  What I had was my feet, and my hands and my voice.  And god help me, they will never be silenced.  MCC (the queer church) has a closing benediction that I think comes from the book of John.  "God has no hands but your hands, no feet but your feet, and no voice but your voice.  Rejoice and go out and do the work of the Lord!"

I started Lambda Alliance on the campus of the University of Montana. The first meeting was in my apartment on a cold evening in January 1989. Twenty years later, I'm not only a community pharmacist specializing in HIV care, I'm the Vice President of Out4Immigration, a grassroots non-profit.  We get e-mail and calls from around the world. People sharing their stories and desperate for help.  We have no real budget to speak of. We all have jobs, lives, and struggles of our own. The work that we do, mostly comes from each person individually. And my heart goes out to those asking for help, but I don't have the answers they are looking for.  The help I offer is the answer I came to 20 years ago, and it really lies in an old guilt trip my mother used to use, "fine, I'll do it myself."  

The discrimination that we face is still very real.  Our lives, our love and relationships are torn apart for no legitimate reason.  Still today, LGBT people live in fear and desperation.  And the only help I can offer is no help to the immediate situation at hand.  The strength of our voices can ring mighty and triumphant, but only when joined in chorus.  

Harmony and Melody are "Temporal" variations of the same sets of notes. I've got the melody down. I know the issues. I can speak to one person or a thousand, but my voice alone does nothing. The only help I have to offer is an invitation to join me in chorus with others and together we can hope to harmonize.

Gandhi, Rev. Dr King, and Mr Mandella never changed the world themselves. Their triumph was in bringing harmony to the chorus of the voices of the oppressed.

The friends you seek are the friends you cultivate.  The family you're looking for are the people you love.  The world you seek is the world you create

Mickey

Del Martin - we love you! You will be missed

Yesterday was a very crazy day.... I had to attend a media briefing organized by NAM and GLAAD, rush home to wait for the arrival of my baby Alicia for her first overnight stay. In the midst of it all, the sad news came that Ms Del Martin, civil rights and gay rights leader, a hero to my husband and me, and WIFE of Phyllis Lyon passed away.



I have met both Del and Phyllis a couple of times at various functions and even had a photo taken with them. While I do not know her, my husband and I know that we stand on the ground that they and many other activist have worked and fight very hard for.

I am just so glad that she lived to see the day that we have FULL Equality in the state of California and that the CA government finally legally recognized their relationship of 50 years by issuing them a marriage certificate!

NCLR puts out a press release as well as an obituary yesterday and NY Times wrote an obit too

Meet Baby Alicia

We met our little baby girl last Thursday for the very first time.... it was an awesome awesome experience to finally connect with her. She is beautiful, cute, adorable.... the lists goes on. She even fell asleep in Mickey's arms..... we are praying for her to come home with us soon....

Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) Gets 100th House Co-Sponsor

Out4Immigration Notes Milestone, Says More Work Ahead to Help Same-Sex Binational Couples Stay Together in the United States

WASHINGTON, DC-August 4, 2008-Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA) became the 100th Congressional co-sponsor of the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA, H.R. 2221) on 1st August 2008.

The UAFA is a bill before Congress that would make a small change to existing immigration law to close a loophole barring gay and lesbian Americans in committed relationships with foreign partners from sponsoring their partner for a green card. These same-sex binational couples are denied the right that opposite-sex couples have been afforded for decades - the right to legally keep their families together in the United States.

"We need the UAFA to become law because the United States does not recognize same-sex relationships at the federal level," explained Michael Lim, Vice President of the national grassroots organization Out4Imigration. "Gay and lesbian couples are denied the protections of more than 1,100 federal laws that come with a federally recognized marriage - one of the most critical of these being immigration rights."

According to a Human Rights Watch report, there are more than 36,000 committed same-sex binational couples in the United States who would benefit from passage of the UAFA. Many more have been forced to live in exile - to leave behind their extended family, friends, community, homes and careers - in order to be with the person they love in one of the 18 countries that recognize same-sex couples for immigration purposes. Others, not having a safe alternative country to go to, have been forced to make heart-wrenching choices.

"No one should have to choose between their partner and their country," said Lim. "But without legislation like the UAFA in place, that's exactly what's happening to gays and lesbians in the United States.

"Out4Immigration is encouraged that we now have 100 co-sponsors of this legislation in the House and 14 for the bill in the Senate (S. 1328), but there is a lot more work ahead if these bills are going to come up for a floor vote. To those lawmakers sitting on the fence with this legislation, we ask them - if you were forced to choose between your country and the person you love, what would you do?"

The UAFA was re-introduced in the House and the Senate by Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) and Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) in May 2007. It has been proposed in Congress in every term since 1999 (formerly as the Permanent Partners Immigration Act). If it fails to pass before the end of this Congressional term, it will have to be reintroduced again in 2009.

The legislation would add three words to existing US immigration law - "or permanent partner" wherever the word "spouse" appears. This would close the loophole imposed by the federal government that does not allow gays and lesbians to use the word "spouse" to define their relationship.



# # #
______________
For more information:
Out4Immigration: http://www.out4immigration.org
The Uniting American Families Act (H.R. 2221): http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:HR02221:
The Uniting American Families Act (S.1328): http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:SN01328:
Human Rights Watch Report: Family Unvalued: Discrimination, Denial, and the Fate of Binational Same-Sex Couples under US Law: http://www.hrw.org/reports/2006/us0506/

end
____________
Out4Immigration addresses the widespread discriminatory impact of US immigration laws on the lives of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and HIV+ people and their families through education, outreach, advocacy and the maintenance of a resource and support network. For more information, visit www.out4immigration.org. To schedule
interviews with same-sex binational couples who are available to speak with the media on this issue, including Spanish-speaking couples, please contact Amos Lim, amos@out4immigration.org, 415-375-3765 or Kathy Drasky at kathy@out4immigration.org, 415-606-2085.

State's Medi-Cal program is being hit hard

Mickey was featured in Saturday's SF Chronicle's coverage of the Medi-Cal cuts and what effects it has on HIV+ patients.... an issue that he is close to his heart...

The full article is here

His "portion" of the interview is copied here...


Mickey Lim

Age: 44

City: San Francisco

Occupation: Pharmacist

Three weeks ago, Mickey Lim made the hardest decision of his professional life: He stopped accepting new Medi-Cal patients because he can no longer afford to, and he will no longer stock some of the costly medications that his current Medi-Cal patients need.

Lim manages the Los Portales Pharmacy, an independent pharmacy in San Francisco's Mission District - Medi-Cal represents 27 percent of his business. His special focus as a pharmacist is on patients with HIV - 85 percent of his clients have the virus that causes AIDS.

With the state's 10 percent rate reduction, Lim says he is losing $40 to $80 for every HIV prescription.
"I don't sell ice cream or shampoo," he says. "I don't have the deep pockets of Walgreens. If I lose money on every prescription, I can't pay the rent or salaries or liability insurance or toner for the printer."

Lim says when he began his pharmaceutical career 15 years ago, a gross margin of 27 percent was standard. Now, he says, he operates on a margin of 7 1/2 percent.

"If Medi-Cal takes 10 percent, it puts me in the red," he says. "Ten percent is my whole profit and then some."
In recent weeks, Lim arranged for existing patients to get a three-month supply of medications.

"For most of my boys, I'm hoping the dust will settle," he says. "I'm holding off on deciding whether I can keep them. If these cuts are not reversed, it may come to pass that I'm not going to be able to take Medi-Cal. This is my practice. It is what I care about. And this situation is tearing me up."

- Elizabeth Fernandez

Bush Signs President's Emergency Program for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) Legislation

Out4Immigration Applauds Bill's Call for Removal of Discriminatory HIV Travel/Immigration Ban

WASHINGTON, DC—July 31, 2008—President Bush signed the President's Emergency Program (PEPFAR) into law yesterday at the White House.

The landmark bill, which passed in both the House and Senate by wide margins earlier this month, provides $48 billion over the next five years for the global fight of AIDS. Within the legislation is a directive to lift the HIV travel/immigration ban, which bars foreign travelers with HIV/AIDS from entering the United States unless they obtain a spouse or family waiver. That ban is blatantly discriminatory, particularly against gay men and lesbians with the illness, because under current US immigration law, their partners do not qualify as spouses or family.

While the President's signature on this bill is a first step toward working to end immigration discrimination, one more barrier for HIV-positive visitors and immigrants must be removed. US immigration laws require the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to maintain a list of diseases that render people unable to enter the United States. HIV remains on that list.

"Out4Immigration applauds the US government's continued commitment to the global fight against AIDS. We are especially pleased by the provision in this legislation sponsored by Senators John Kerry and Gordon Smith in the Senate and Congresswoman Barbara Lee in the House that repeals the draconian ban against people with HIV entering our country. We hope that the Secretary of Health and Human Services acts quickly to remove HIV from the list of diseases that prevents entry into the US as is dictated by PEPFAR" said Michael Lim, Vice President of Out4Immigration.

"Today we all know that HIV/AIDS is a preventable disease and that people who are living with the illness can take proven precautions to prevent its transmission."

Out4Immigration is a national grassroots organization dedicated to raising awareness about the discrimination gay and lesbian Americans face under current US immigration law. Because the United States does not recognize same-sex relationships at the federal level, gays and lesbians are shut out from many federal benefits that would protect their families. One of the most devastating consequences of this is lack of immigration rights.

"Prior to PEPFAR, and what we hope will be a swift removal of HIV by the HHS, an American gay person in a relationship with a foreign partner with HIV/AIDS could be permanently separated from their partner because the foreign partner did not have the right to travel in and out of the country because of the HIV travel ban," explained Lim.

"On the other hand, heterosexuals married to a foreign partner with HIV/AIDS could obtain a waiver, based on the fact that they were assumed to be in a committed, monogamous relationship that would prohibit the spread of the disease to the community at-large. This was blatant discrimination against gays and lesbians."

The PEPFAR legislation, with the lifting of HIV by the HHS, will now treat all foreign visitors and immigrants with HIV/AIDS the same.

"It is an important first step to end immigration discrimination in the US," said Lim. "According to a Human Rights Watch report, we still have more than 36,000 committed same-sex binational couples who are denied the right to a green card because our country does not recognize their right to be together."

These couples would benefit from legislation called the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA), which would effectively add the words "or permanent partner" to existing immigration law wherever the word "spouse" appears. The bill currently has 99 co-sponsors in the House and 14 in the Senate. It needs many more in both chambers to come up for a vote that would have the kind of overwhelming support PEPFAR had to insure the president's signature.

Another couple forced to leave the country

When will this ever end? When will our federal government understand that thousands of couples are affected by this and do something about it? How is it that in this day and age, a gay/lesbian American still has to fight for his/her right to sponsor his/her partner for a green card, even though they are in love, and in a committed relationship.

And you know what? Thanks to DOMA, the defense of marriage act, the federal government will still not recognize your relationship even if you are legally married in California or Massachusetts.

It is time for congress to pass the Uniting American Families Act now. It is time to stop working hard on this bill and just start sponsoring the bill to ensure that all couples get the same states and federal rights.

You can read the entire article here.

San Francisco Gay Pride 2008

Here are some of the photos of Out4Immigration as we marched in this years' San Francisco Pride Parade.

San Francisco Pride 2008

I marched with 2 contingents this year, API Equality and Out4Immigration. So it was fun but really tiring. Photos of API Equality will be coming soon. :)

more links

You can see some photos taken here:

You can also see some photos taken by the press here:

Bay Area Reporter

San Mateo County Times

USA Today

Sacramento Bee (click on the gallery - we are the 13th photo)

San Francisco City Hall - June 17th, 2008

We are married! I do not think that words can really describe how we feel - we don't feel any different at all but we do. We have smiles on our faces the entire day yesterday and today... and there is a jump in our steps.... after 13 years together, we are finally and legally married. WOW. Thanks to Rev Terri Echelbarger for performing the ceremony, Machu and Paige for being our witness and Elliot, Nicky and Shelly for coming along.

More photos will be coming soon... :)

 
We are married! 
 
 

Let my partner stay

What else can I say but that the discriminatory immigration law against LGBT couples (and in fact most immigrants) are forcing couples to make difficult decision - forcing them to leave the country to live in exile.

Watch this little gem from CurrentTV - tell me why they should be forced to leave this country while a straight man could mail order a bride from another country, sponsor her for a green card and bring her to this country....

Today at 5.01pm, we have same sex marriage rights in California. TODAY. Can you believe it? However getting this rights, while awesome does nothing for binational couples - in fact, depending on the visa they are holding, it could actually adversely impact their ability to stay here. So word to all those binational couples, please CONSULT with an attorney before going to apply for a marriage certificate!

In the meantime, I urged all of you to write to your congress person to urge them to sponsor the Uniting American Families Act.... there are at least 36,000 couples that are in this situation (and I think that figure if very conservative!)..

Obama: a friend of the gay community?

When a person supports something, and that person is a leader, I would expect them to actually do something about these beliefs, unless they are a POLITICIAN. And Mr Obama is proving himself to be a politician. All talk and little action.

Specifically, he mentions in his letter to the gay community his support for the Uniting American Families Act. He has frequently touted his support for this bill, but he fails to add his name as a co-sponsor of this bill (S.1328)

He says he is for equality, yet interestingly he supports the contradictory position of separate but equal. He has made many trips to California, and San Francisco, he has made specific efforts to never be in the same room as Gavin Newsom so that no photograph could be taken of the two of them together. (Political insider former mayor Willy Brown confirmed this)

He says that he supports the repeal of DOMA, but as president, he could not repeal DOMA. As a Senator, he could introduce legislation that would! But, no legislation has been introduced.

He says that he supports the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," however, he has voted for multiple military appropriations bills to continue this unnecessary war, but he never offered a single amendment to any legislation or appropriation bill that would repeal the ban.

Mr Obama, as a Senator, has wasted the privilege, power and opportunity that his current office gives him. As a legislator he has failed to demonstrate the strength of his convictions. Mr Obama has thus far offered the LGBT community little other than rhetorical support. One could assume he wants the job of president to use "the bully pulpit" because (as opposed to doing something) talking is something he's good at. Just another politician?

Real friends help you move. Mr Obama has not demonstrate himself to be a real friend, he just talks a good talk. With the alternative being McCain, he will get my vote; but the ATM machine should be out of service when he comes knocking.

Mickey

quoted in Boston Globe.....

This is cute... we have just been quoted in Boston Globe...

"Friday night in the Castro, the heart of this city's gay community, they were still trying to savor the victory as they girded for the battle ahead. As Gaffney and Lewis walked down 18th Street, strangers stopped to thank them for waging the four-year court fight. The couple posed for a photo with another couple, Amos and Mickey Lim, outside Magnet, a gay men's health center, which had a movie-style marquee bearing the message "Gay Marriage Legal in California. Wow!"

"Everybody knows there's a fight to fight on Monday," Mickey Lim said. "But let's celebrate tonight and tomorrow and do battle the next day."

We have marriage equality in California now!!

WOW, with a 4-3 decision, the Supreme Court just overturn the gay marriage ban and allowed gay and lesbians couples in a trusting, committed and loving relationship the freedom to marry!!!

WOW. THANK YOU MS THERESE STEWART, DENNIS HERRERA, SHANNON MINTER... THANK YOU!!!

Go to Pam's House Blend for more blog info: http://pamshouseblend.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=5398

NCLR's website will continue with updates too... http://www.nclrights.org/site/PageServer

Clinton Says She Supports Federal Law Changes to Help Same-Sex Binational Couples

Presidential Contender Recognizes Disparity in State Marriage, Civil Union and Domestic Partner Laws that Bar LGBT Citizens from Equal Immigration Rights

SAN FRANCISCO, CA—April 3, 2008—Democratic presidential contender Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) said in an interview today that the lack of federal protections for LGBT couples, particularly where immigration rights are concerned, are “one of the biggest problems that we’ve got to contend with.”

In a ground-breaking interview with Philadelphia Gay News reporters Mark Segal and Sarah Blazucki, Senator Clinton was asked point blank what she would do to improve the immigration policy for same-sex couples in which one partner is American and the other is from another country. Heterosexuals in this situation typically take advantage of federal marriage laws. By legally marrying, the American can then sponsor the foreign partner for a green card. Because immigration rights are part of federal marriage provisions, gays and lesbians, barred from federal marriage are also barred from equal immigration rights.

“Even states that have civil unions, domestic partnerships or even marriage laws are running into roadblocks with the federal government when it comes to federal benefits and privileges,” Senator Clinton said.

“Of course, immigration is a federal responsibility and I am going to do everything I can to eliminate any disparities in any benefits or rights under our law at the federal level so that all people will have available to them every right as an American citizen that they should, and that would include immigration law.”

Clinton’s comments go a step further than that of her rival for the Democratic presidential nomination. On February 29, Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) said he had “worked to improve the Uniting American Families Act so we can afford same-sex couples the same rights and obligations as married couples in our immigration system.” The UAFA would amend existing immigration law by adding the words “or permanent partner” everywhere the word “spouse” appears, thus circumventing comprehensive immigration reform or changes to federal marriage recognition laws.

“Out4Immigration is encouraged by Senator Clinton’s comments,” said Michael Lim, Vice President of the national grassroots organization Out4Immigration, a group dedicated to raising awareness about the discrimination LGBT Americans and their foreign partners face under current US immigration law.

“We hope that both Senator Clinton and Senator Obama mean what they say about changing laws that discriminate against and hurt our families,” Lim said. He cites a 2006 Human Rights Watch report that estimates there are 36,000 same-sex binational couples currently living in the United States. Every year, thousands of these couples are forced to either leave the United States or live apart because they have no legal options of remaining together in the United States.

The UAFA, introduced in May 2007 by Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) and Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT), currently has 90 co-sponsors in the House and 12 in the Senate.

“Ironically, neither Senator Clinton nor Senator Obama is a co-sponsor of this bill,” said Lim. Senator John McCain (R-AZ), the presumptive Republican nominee has not signed on either.

______________
For more information:
Out4Immigration: http://www.out4immigration.org

Rising immigration not linked to crime rates: study

DUH! I just saw this news article on Reuters. And just had to link it. I think politicians and anti-immigration groups should stop saying (1) that immigrants brings crime with them and increase the incidence of crimes - WE DON'T (2)comprehensive immigration reform is an AMNESTY for undocumented aliens - THEY AREN'T!

LOOK - amnesty happens when people like Scooter Libby is PARDONED by Bush without serving any sentence for essentially leaking national secrets - a treason IMHO. If you have to pay a fine, restitutions and go stand in line with everyone else in the green card application line (not the front the line, mind you), where's the amnesty?

Anyways, here's the article from reuters, click on the link to read the complete article:

Rising immigration not linked to crime rates: study

NEW YORK (Reuters Life!) - Contrary to common beliefs, rising immigration levels do not drive up crime rates, particularly in poor communities, and Mexican-Americans are the least likely to commit crimes, according to a new study.

Robert Sampson, a sociologist at Harvard University who studied crime and immigration in 180 neighborhoods in Chicago over seven years, found that first-generation immigrants were 45 percent less likely to commit violent acts than third generation Americans. Read the complete article

US Discriminatory Travel and Immigration Ban on HIV-Positive Individuals Set for Repeal

Out4Immigration Cheers Senate Action, Hopes for Similar Move with Uniting American Families Act (UAFA)

SAN FRANCISCO, CA—March 11, 2008— Senators John Kerry (D-MA) and Gordon Smith (R-OR) successfully secured a provision to repeal the discriminatory travel and immigration ban on HIV-positive individuals today as part of the Senate's legislation to reauthorize PEPFAR, the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. The underlying legislation, authored by Senators Joe Biden (D-DE) and Richard Lugar (R-IN), is expected to be considered by the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations this week.
“This is a monumental first step toward ending the discrimination the LGBT community faces under current US immigration laws,” said Michael Lim, Vice President of the national grassroots organization Out4Immigration, a group dedicated to raising awareness about the discrimination LGBT Americans and their foreign partners face under current US immigration law.

“For many years, the only long-term way around this ban was for HIV-positive people to be sponsored by a family member, similar to the immigration process,” explained Lim. “Under current immigration law, the word ‘family’ does not apply to gays and lesbians.” The majority of HIV-positive people denied entry because of the ban have been gay men, many with American partners who are shut out from the ‘family’ option.
“This is similar to the larger problem of gay and lesbian American citizens not being able to sponsor foreign partners for green cards. It’s been an inhumane practice in this country for a long time,” said Lim.

According to the Human Rights Campaign, who along with Out4Immigration has repeatedly called for an end to this practice, the travel and immigration ban prohibits HIV-positive foreign nationals, students, and tourists from entering the US unless they obtain a special waiver that only allows for short-term travel. Longer-term options can only be obtained using the family member sponsorship not available to gay and lesbian couples.

The ban was originally enacted in 1987, and explicitly restated in 1993, despite efforts in the public health community to remove the ban when Congress reformed US immigration law in the early 1990s. While immigration law currently excludes immigrants with any “communicable disease of public health significance” from entering the US, only HIV is explicitly named in the statute. For all other illnesses, the Secretary of Health and Human Services retains the ability, with the medical expertise of his department, to determine which illnesses truly pose a risk to public health.

Senators Kerry and Smith introduced legislation, the HIV Non-Discrimination in Travel and Immigration Act (S. 2486), in December 2007 to repeal the ban. Representative Barbara Lee introduced the legislation in August 2007 in the House of Representatives (H.R. 3337).

“We hope that PEPFAR is reauthorized shortly and this major barrier to allowing all loving couples a chance to be together in the US is removed,” said Lim.
While the repeal of the discriminatory travel and immigration ban on HIV-positive individuals will allow foreign gays and lesbians with this illness some of the same options as their HIV-negative counterparts, there is still a long way to go until equal immigration rights are available to all.

“The good news is that those who are HIV-positive may soon be able to enter the US on work or student visas, in addition to travel,” said Lim. “This is often a first step that same-sex binational couples take in order to live together in the US.

“It will take the passage of the Uniting American Families Act (H.R. 2221; S.1328) for gay and lesbian American citizens to have the same rights to sponsor a foreign partner for permanent residency as is available to heterosexuals,” explained Lim. “Out4Immigration remains hopeful that the UAFA could be attached to legislation that would move it as swiftly through Congress as the expected repeal of the travel and immigration ban.”
______________
For more information:
Out4Immigration: http://www.out4immigration.org
The Uniting American Families Act (H.R. 2221): http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:HR02221:
The Uniting American Families Act (S.1328): http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:SN01328:

Treason

The Afghan location of the Honorable Prince Harry of England, our coalition partner in Afghanistan, was outed by the Drudge Report. This disclosure goes way beyond the usual bottom feeding that is typical of the website. The disclosure put brave soldiers unnecessarily in harm's way, and compromised an on going military mission. At best this disclosure of military secrets was treason by way of giving aid and comfort to the enemy. At least, it is reprehensible.

The constitution never protects this behavior. Eleanor Roosevelt used to say loose lips sink ships. The United States government should initiate an immediate and swift investigation and prosecution of the Drudge Report and the individuals behind the disclosure of this information.

Senator Obama’s Open Letter to LGBT Community Echoes Out4Immigration’s Call for Equal Immigration Rights for Same-Sex Binational Couples

Presidential Contender Says He Has “Worked to Improve” the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA)

SAN FRANCISCO, CA—February 28, 2008 — Leading Democratic presidential contender Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) issued a statement to America’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community today saying that equality for all Americans “is a moral imperative.”

Chief among Senator Obama’s call to end discrimination against gays and lesbians was his mention of having “worked to improve the Uniting American Families Act so we can afford same-sex couples the same rights and obligations as married couples in our immigration system.”

“By including the plight of same-sex binational couples in his statement, Senator Obama shows that he can be a leader who fully grasps the unique and humiliating brand of discrimination gay and lesbian American citizens in a relationship with a foreign partner face on a daily basis,” said Michael Lim, Vice President of the national grassroots organization Out4Immigration, a group dedicated to raising awareness about the discrimination LGBT Americans and their foreign partners face under current US immigration law.

While heterosexual couples in binational relationships—in which one partner is American and the other is foreign born—can solve their immigration concerns through a federally recognized marriage, same-sex binational couples have no such options.

Senator Obama also called for complete repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which prohibits the federal government from recognizing state gay marriage, civil union and domestic partnership laws. As long as DOMA remains in place, the US cannot extend spousal immigration rights to same-sex couples, regardless of their commitment to one another.

A way to avoid creating yet another divisive “gay marriage” debate in an election year, would be the passage of the bill that Obama mentions in his statement—the Uniting American Families Act (H.R. 2221; S.1328). This legislation would add three words—“or permanent partner”—to existing immigration law wherever the word “spouse” appears. This simple act would allow an estimated 40,000 same-sex binational couples currently living legally in the US to make their US home a permanent one. The majority of these couples are biding time while the foreign partner is in the country on a student or work visa. If the visa does not lead to a green card through employment, same-sex binational couples have virtually no chance of remaining together on US soil.

“Senator Obama says ‘It’s wrong to have millions of Americans living as second-class citizens in this nation,’ but if you’re in a same-sex binational relationship, you simply have no status at all,” said Lim. “Every year thousands of gay and lesbian American citizens are forced to choose between the country they love and the person they love. Out4Immigration is heartened that the potential Democratic candidate for president has spoken so positively in favor of the UAFA.”

The UAFA, introduced in May 2007 by Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) and Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT), currently has 90 co-sponsors in the House and 12 in the Senate.

“Ironically, Senator Obama is not a co-sponsor of this bill,” said Lim. Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and Senator John McCain (R-AZ), the other presidential contenders, have not signed on either.

“We hope that Senator Obama’s work to improve the UAFA will lead to his co-sponsorship in the near future,” said Lim.
______________
For more information:
Out4Immigration: http://www.out4immigration.org
The Uniting American Families Act (H.R. 2221): http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:HR02221:
The Uniting American Families Act (S.1328): http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:SN01328:
To read the full text of the Obama open letter to the LGBT community: http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/alexokrent/gGggJS

end
____________
Out4Immigration addresses the widespread discriminatory impact of US immigration laws on the lives of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and HIV+ people and their families through education, outreach, advocacy and the maintenance of a resource and support network. For more information, visit www.out4immigration.org. To schedule interviews with same-sex binational couples who are available to speak with the media on this issue, including Spanish-speaking couples, please contact Amos Lim, amos (at) out4immigration.org, 415-375-3765 or Kathy Drasky at kathy (at) out4immigration.org, 415-606-2085.

Ellen speaks about Lawrence King

Lawrence King is a high school kid who was shot dead by a classmate because he was gay. Ellen spoke out about this issue yesterday. Thank you for voicing what everyone of us is feeling - we need to change the dialogue, people should not be killed or hurt because they are different.

McCain's corporate givaway

This past weekend, John McCain hit the Sunday talk shows, and called for more tax cuts. He repeatedly said that American Corporate tax rates are among the highest in the world.

BUNK

This is simply a distortion and another manipulation of data. The official 35% corporate tax rates are rarely ever paid. That is why there is an alternative minimum tax rate - that McCain wants to repeal too!

In Health Care, providers charge one amount, knowing that they'll never get paid, and the insurance company cuts it back. The providers, by contract accept this as payment in full. (look at the EOB, Explanation of Benefits, that the insurance company sends you after your next doctor visit. In Pharmacy, reimbursement is based on the published AWP. AWP stands for Average Wholesale Price. I refer to AWP as Ain't What's Paid. If any pharmacy actually paid AWP, they'd go out of business, because insurance contracts reimburse at AWP -12% to -20%. Sometimes, like the Alternative Minimum Tax, Insurance companies impose MAC pricing... that is to say, Maximum Allowable Cost.

This is the same with corporate tax rates. No one pays them, and NOW, John McCain wants to drop that starting point further, AND the alternative minimum tax.

Point in fact, the reality is that the bottom line of what corporations pay, those in the United States are near the bottom of the list. (see reference from the CBO below.) With Corporate profits and Executive compensation packages at ridiculously record heights, and the divide between the rich and poor reaching levels not seen since the dawn of the industrial revolution... with all this, it is immoral to suggest even greater giveaways to the wealthy elite.

McCain is a lier.


CORPORATE INCOME TAX RATES:INTERNATIONAL COMPARISONS

Although the United States’ statutory corporate tax rates are among the highest of those in OECD countries, they are comparable with the statutory rates imposed by other members of the Group of Seven (G7)


Taxes on Corporate Income in OECD Countries in 2002 as a Percentage of Gross Domestic Product



1.0 Germany
1.1 Iceland
1.8 United States
2.0 Poland
2.2 Turkey
2.3 Austria
2.4 Hungary
2.4 Sweden
2.7 Switzerland
2.7 Slovak Republic
2.9 Denmark
2.9 France
2.9 United Kingdom
3.1 Republic of Korea
3.1 Japan
3.2 Italy
3.2 Spain
3.4 Canada
3.5 Belgium
3.5 Netherlands
3.6 Portugal
3.8 Greece
4.2 New Zealand
4.3 Finland
4.6 Chech Republic
5.3 Austraila
8.2 Norway
8.6 Luxenbourg

Natalie Portman supports Same Sex Immigration

I have always been impressed with Natalie Portman - from her first movie with Luc Besson to her last movie, V For Vendetta. She is intelligent, beautiful and humble. She is also an activist, going round the world to support micro loans to women in poor countries. Now she has voice her support for same sex immigration, as well as marriage equality, in the latest interview with W Magazine.

The full article can be found here but here's what she said about this issue:

On equality for all in marriage: “I’m into monogamy. But I’m not really into marriage right now. I sort of hate the legal aspect of it. What does the state have to do with it? Why are they making rules that say my lover can stay in the United States if they’re foreign or share my health care benefits because I’m straight—but if you’re gay, you can’t have that?”

Many people don't understand that the fight for marriage equality is not about special rights.... it is in fact about being allowed/given the same rights as straight couples. Something which at 2008, gay people still do not have.

Thank you Natalie!

Out4Immigration Supports National Freedom to Marry Week

Notes that Inequality in Federal Marriage Law Denies Same-Sex Binational Couples Basic Rights

The 11th annual Freedom to Marry Week (February 10-16) is here, and while some gay and lesbian Americans see this as a cause to celebrate how far the issue of gay marriage in the US has advanced, one sector of the community has good cause to say that domestic partnerships, civil unions and state marriage laws are not enough.

"Same-sex binational couples, in which one partner is American and the other is foreign born, suffer a unique and humiliating brand of discrimination when they try to keep their relationships intact on US soil," explains Michael Lim, Vice President of the national grassroots organization Out4Immigration, a group dedicated to raising awareness about the discrimination LGBT Americans and their foreign partners face under current US immigration law.

"Unlike our heterosexual counterparts in binational relationships who can solve their immigration concerns through a marriage recognized at the federal level, same-sex binational couples, like all gay and lesbian couples in the US, are shut out of federal level marriage rights."

One of the 1,138 rights that come with a federal marriage certificate is the right for an American citizen to sponsor a foreign partner for a green card. The toll this denial of rights takes on the estimated 40,000 same-sex binational couples living in the US, and those who have been forced into exile, is "incalculable," says Lim. "The emotional and financial burdens of staying together in a climate of uncertainty is a scenario few couples—gay or straight—can be expected to endure."
Since Out4Immigration's inception in 2006, the all-volunteer run group has collected stories from its members that it posts on its website. The stories come from Americans in relationships with foreign partners from all over the world. Some of the couples have been lucky enough to see the foreign partner obtain a student or work visa—or the grand prize—a green card secured through employment that ends the couple's no-win choice: leave the country or leave each other. Those who have been forced to make the decision between home and family detail the pain and heartbreak of leaving behind parents, adult children and other relatives, friends and communities; giving up careers; battling HIV/AIDS or other illnesses in countries where health care is substandard; denial of applications for political asylum that can send a foreign partner back to a hostile or violent environment; and tearful separations and breakups.

"It will break your heart to read these stories," says Lim. "We applaud campaigns like Freedom to Marry that remind people that so-called 'separate but equal' ideas like domestic partnerships, civil unions and state marriage laws are inherently unequal. Many Americans dismiss those 1,138 federal rights that come with a federally recognized heterosexual marriage as 'unimportant'. But these rights include critical issues like social security and tax benefits—as well as the right to stay in your own country with the person you love."

The Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) is a piece of legislation currently in Congress that seeks to circumvent the same-sex marriage debate and simply provide Americans in same-sex binational relationships the right to sponsor their partner for a green card. The bill (H.R. 2221; S.1328) sponsored by Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) and Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) would add three words—"or permanent partner"—to existing immigration law wherever the word "spouse" appears. It currently has 88 co-sponsors in the House and 11 in the Senate. It needs 218 in the House and 60 in the Senate to go to the President for signature. While Democratic presidential frontrunners Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) say that they support passage of the UAFA, neither has signed on yet as a co-sponsor.

For more information:
Out4Immigration: http://www.out4immigration.org
Freedom to Marry: http://www.freedomtomarry.org/
The Uniting American Families Act (H.R. 2221): http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:HR02221:
The United American Families Act (S.1328): http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:SN01328:

Congressman Tom Lantos

Mickey and I are saddened today by the news of the passing of Congressman Tom Lantos (D-CA). We have lived in Rep. Lantos' district for a number of years and could always count on him as a leader in the world fighing against discrimination and for equal rights.

He was--as many of you know---a longtime supporter of LGBT rights and an original supporter of the Uniting American Families Act, and for that support Out4Immigration will always be grateful.

We could always depend on Congressman Lantos to act in our interests and with courage against injustice and as a strong ally for our community.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Congressman Lantos' wife, daughters and families. Thank you for sharing his talent with us. His legacy will continue to shine.

Amos Lim
Note: For those of you who would like to offer your condolences to the Lantos family directly, please go to the Congressman's website at: http://www.lantos.house.gov/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1

Al Gore comes out for Gay Marriage

I am glad that Vice President and Nobel Peace Prize Winner Al Gore finally sounds off on his support for Marriage Equality - that's awesome! Now I am just waiting from the rest of the Democratic Presidential Candidate supposed front runner to support this.

Impeachment resolution a matter of accountability

It's about time for congress to seriously consider impeachment of the Vice President.... go to http://www.wexlerwantshearings.com/ to sign on in support of the Impeachment of the Vice President!

from http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=708866

Impeachment resolution a matter of accountability
By TAMMY BALDWIN

Posted: Jan. 19, 2008

On Dec. 14, I joined with my colleagues on the House Judiciary Committee, Reps. Robert Wexler (D-Fla.) and Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.), in urging Chairman Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.) to conduct hearings on a resolution of impeachment now pending consideration in that committee.

Among my constituents, there are those who say I have gone too far in calling for Congress to examine possible impeachable offenses by the Bush administration. There are also those who argue I have not gone far enough. In letters, emails, phone calls, personal conversations and listening sessions, I have heard passionate arguments from those who think we are losing our democracy and that I should do more to hold the Bush administration accountable for its actions.

The call to impeach is one I did not take lightly. But as we said in our letter to Chairman Conyers, the issues are too serious to ignore. We simply cannot discount or overlook numerous, credible allegations of abuse of power by the Bush administration that, if proven, may well constitute high crimes and misdemeanors under our Constitution. To prove this, we must follow the form of the signers of our own Declaration of Independence who wrote, "let Facts be submitted to a candid world."

Impeachment hearings in the House Judiciary Committee will establish the facts and prove whether or not this administration did the following:

• Spied on Americans without a court order in violation of the Fourth Amendment;

• Directed senior members of the administration to ignore subpoenas in contempt of Congress;

• Outed Valerie Plame Wilson as a covert agent of the CIA and then intentionally obstructed justice by disseminating false information through the White House press office;

• Ordered U.S. attorneys to pursue politically-motivated prosecutions in violation of the law;

• Fired eight U.S. attorneys and allowed others to retain their jobs because of partisan political considerations;

• Refused to provide subpoenaed emails and other documentation;

• Purposefully manipulated intelligence to deceive American citizens and the Congress;

• Fabricated a threat of Iraqi weapons of mass destruction to justify the war in Iraq - a war that has taken the lives of nearly 4,000 U.S. troops, injured 60,000 more, and that will cost more than a trillion dollars by many accounts;

• Alleged, despite all evidence to the contrary, a relationship between Iraq and al-Qaida, to justify the war in Iraq;

• Manipulated and exaggerated evidence of Iran's nuclear weapons capabilities;

• Undermined national security by openly threatening aggression against Iran, despite no evidence that Iran has the intention or capability of attacking the U.S.;

• Suspended habeas corpus by claiming the power to declare any person an "enemy combatant" - ignoring the Geneva Convention protections that the U.S. helped create;

• Endorsed torture and rendition of prisoners in violation of international law and stated American policy and values, and destroyed videotaped evidence of such torture;

• Awarded unlawful no-bid contracts to political friends at home and abroad; and

• Skirted legal consequences by employing paid mercenaries to act as bodyguards for American diplomats in Iraq.

The abuses of this administration demand a formal response. Congressional oversight is a fundamental part of our constitutionally-proscribed system of checks and balances.

I had hoped that Congress could begin to repair the damage that has been done to our democracy, our Constitution and our standing in the world, so that censure or impeachment could be averted. Unfortunately, this administration not only fails to accept responsibility for its misdeeds, but it also blocks attempts to right the wrongs and address the tragic consequences of those misdeeds. We have seen the American people's will thwarted by the exercise of veto power. We have seen subpoenas ignored. We have seen signing statements used to circumvent the law of the land.

If we fail to take action to either impeach or repair the damage, then the next president will "inherit" unchecked powers. Unchecked powers are unacceptable no matter who is president.

It is unlikely that impeachment will move forward this session. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) expressed her view that impeachment should be "taken off the table," and that is her prerogative. I took an oath of office to uphold the Constitution. That sacred pledge gives me no choice but to call for executive branch accountability in any and all forms possible.

Tammy Baldwin, a Democrat, represents Wisconsin's second congressional district.

Gone too soon....

"Gone Too Soon"

Like A Comet
Blazing 'Cross The Evening Sky
Gone Too Soon

Like A Rainbow
Fading In The Twinkling Of An Eye
Gone Too Soon

Shiny And Sparkly
And Splendidly Bright
Here One Day
Gone One Night

Like The Loss Of Sunlight
On A Cloudy Afternoon
Gone Too Soon

Like A Castle
Built Upon A Sandy Beach
Gone Too Soon

Like A Perfect Flower
That Is Just Beyond Your Reach
Gone Too Soon

Born To Amuse, To Inspire, To Delight
Here One Day
Gone One Night

Like A Sunset
Dying With The Rising Of The Moon
Gone Too Soon

Gone Too Soon

---------

Just heard yesterday that Heath Ledger passed away in his sleep yesterday in NY.... I was shocked! I have to say that i felt initially that he was a flash in the pan (in the music world, they call them one hit wonder...) when I saw him in A Knight's Tale.. but he seemed to have proven himself and found his groove in the few movies he made after that. I have enjoyed him in Monster's Ball, Candy and of course, as the troubled Ennis Del Mar in Brokeback Mountain. I was looking forward to watching him on The Dark Knights - the sequel to Batman Returns.... the photo image that came from the set just looks awesome and could be a career defining moment for him again as the Joker. I will still watch the movie but it is kinda sad and eerie now, isn't it?

Heath - rest in peace.

Open letter to Senator Leahy concerning the Uniting American Families Act

Dear Senator Patrick Leahy,

I am writing to you today concerning S. 1328 the Uniting American Families Act, which you introduced in May of last year. I would like to thank you for sponsoring this legislation for the past 3 sessions of Congress.

Upon introduction, the bill was sent to the Judiciary Committee to which you are the Chair. This is the part that confuses me. I understand that it was difficult when the Republicans were in charge to get a hearing, but you're in charge now. Not just the Democrats, but YOU are in control of the committee that is in control of this bill.

When will you be scheduling hearings. When will testimony be put into the record? I personally know dozens, if not into the hundreds of couples that have suffered forced separation from their families. The stories are so heartbreaking. I can only imagine that it was these stories that motivated you to introduce this legislation 3 times.

My own Senator Feinstein, refuses to hear the cries. She replies to the thousands of letters with form letters. Upon notice, we could have your committee rooms flooded with loving caring families - parents, children, partners all. We are generally not rich people. We are generally just average working people - working hard, and trying to find a happy life together with our families. With incredible hardship, and at extra ordinary expense, some couples are able to stay together, here or in exile. All families ultimately suffer profound suffering.

The choices and hardship incurred by these couples and their families serve no national interest, and the obstructions they face, are simply cruel. When will you allow our stories to be heard.

Sir, I am a veteran, and a patriot. One of our most coveted documents - statement of principals: The Declaration of Independence is not just words to me. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

I challenge anyone to listen to our stories and not be moved. I challenge anyone to listen to our stories and not recognize that we are being denied that unalienable Right which was clearly articulated as inalienable by the founding fathers. Let the chorus of our voices be heard

I look forward to hearing from you concerning the scheduling of hearings on S. 1328.

Warmest Regards,
Mickey Lim

Forget Clinton and Obama

As progressives, we often wonder what's up with middle America consistently voting against their own self-interest.  They keep voting for Republicans, like Bush, that pander to their emotions, then use their power for their own empowerment.

I cannot help but find similarities in the queer and progressive communities when I see the support that Clinton and Obama enjoy.  In Tuesday night's NV debate, which excluded the only real progressive: Dennis Kucinich, mostly ignored the only progressive minded voice: John Edwards.

I will never understand the LGBT community's love affair with Clinton or the appeal of Obama.  As Janet said: “what have you done for me lately”  Consistently, the rhetoric of Kucinich and Edwards lead their feet into motion.  In contrast, over the past eight years, Clinton introduced, sponsored or co-sponsored tons of bills.  Research thomas.gov.  NEVER a single bill to eliminate 'don't ask don't tell'  Same is true of Obama's tenure.  In order to receive a perfect HRC score, they both say that they support ending immigration inequality, but as members of Congress, they both have failed to co-sponsor the Uniting American Families Act.  Unfortunately, HRC fails to point out this hypocrisy.

Over and over, Clinton and Obama tout, “when I'm president, I'll push (this or that) legislation thru Congress”  Why should anyone believe that they'll be more effective pushing legislation thru congress as President than they were as a member of Congress itself?  Why should anyone believe that they will be able to exercise control or power that as President they won't have, when they refuse to use that power they have as members of Congress?  Want me to be a believer?  Use the power that you have now!  Introduce, support, advance, and advocate for progressive issues now.  Why are our families being destroyed by discriminatory immigration laws?  Why are our partners being deported? Why do Clinton and Obama continue to DO nothing about it.

The primary is where you should vote for who you want.  The general election is where you have to vote for who's left.  I will vote for the Democratic nominee in November because, as usual, the alternative is too frightening to consider.  For the primary, I'll give Clinton and Obama the same cold shoulder they've given our exiled LGBT families.

Mickey