musings: Help Us Get More Support Locally for Equal Immigration Rights for Same Sex Binational Couples

crossposted at Out4Immigration's Blog and Pam's House Blend

As you all know, the Senate Democrats introduced a framework for Comprehensive Immigration Reform 2 weeks ago (April 29th, 2010) and LGBT Families were included in that framework. This small acknowledgement of our relationshipshas given hope to thousands of same-sex binational couples who have been struggling with discriminatory immigration laws.

Yesterday, Rep Gutierrez changed his mind and has thrown his support behind an INCLUSIVE Comprehensive Immigration Reform bill, one that includes LGBT Families. Rep Gutierrez, Rep Quigley & Rep Polis, all cosponsors of the Uniting American Families Act, held a press conference announcing this and Rep Gutierrez said: "“The cornerstone, the bedrock of any comprehensive immigration bill is family unity and family reunification,” Gutierrez said. “And those children and those partners must be guaranteed the same rights as heterosexual couples under our immigration law.”

Out4Immigration's Tom Tierney has been working with local members and allies across the country to try to get more support for the passage of the Uniting American Families Act as well as ensure that LGBT Families will be included in the drafting of and the final version of any Comprehensive Immigration Reform bill.

So far, we have gotten really great responses to our appeals for support on the ground. While most of the people who volunteered to help us locally were a bit anxious or nervous in the beginning of the process, they found that taking part turned out to be really empowering as they met with their local representatives or spoke publicly at city council meetings.

Here are some of their personal accounts:

Tim K in Cleveland, OH

Peter F. in Connecticut

Debbie Ellis speaking in front of the Campbridge MA's City Council

Now more than ever, we need your help! We need you to come forward and volunteer to talk to you local city council, LGBT organizations, Civil Rights groups and other Organization to see if they are willing to:

sponsor a resolution to put their cities, county and state on record as supporting the passage of UAFA as well as its inclusion in CIR;
write a "Dear Colleague" letter to their Congressional representative urging support and action for Equal Immigration Rights for Same- Sex Binational Couples;
have their organization take a position on Equal Immigration Rights for Same- Sex Binational Couples by supporting the passage of UAFA.

And if you do not believe us, below are some examples of the support we have secured. If you can spare a few hours and take the lead (we will help you with materials, how to make contact and support), please let us know. Contact Tom at tom@out4immigration.org today.

Don't forget to join our weekly letter writing campaign at change.org too.

Resolutions and Dear Colleagues letters in support of the passage of Uniting American Families Act and its inclusion in CIR.

Arizona

Arkansas

State Representative sent letters to Sen. Lincoln and Sen. Pryor (waiting for copies)

California

CA State Assembly passed a resolution, AJR15, in support of the passage of Uniting American Families Act and its inclusion in CIR. The Senate will be holding a hearing and voting on the Resolution in the next few weeks.
City and County of San Francisco's resolution in support of the passage of UAFA
City of West Hollywood's resolution in support of UAFA
San Francisco's Immigrant Rights Commission resolution in support of UAFA
San Francisco's Human Rights Commission's letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Leader Harry Reid
Assemblyman Jim Beall's letter to Sen Dianne Feinstein in support of UAFA and its inclusion in CIR
City of West Hollywood's letter to Sen Dianne Feinstein in support of UAFA and its inclusion in CIR
City of Santa Clara's letter to Rep Honda, Rep Eschoo, Rep Lofgren & Rep McNerney in support of UAFA
City of Santa Clara's letter to Sen Dianne Feinstein in support of UAFA
City of Santa Clara's letter to Sen Barbara Boxer in support of UAFA
City of Los Angeles passed resolution in support of UAFA (copies pending)

Colorado

Connecticut

State Rep Mazurek's Dear Colleague letter to Rep Murphy urging passage of UAFA
Hartford, CT passed resolution in support of UAFA and its inclusion in CIR (pending copies)

Delaware

General Assembly of Delaware's letter to Sen Carper, Sen Kaufman & Rep Castle in support of UAFA and its inclusion in CIR

Florida

Illinois

City of Chicago passed resoltion in support of UAFA and its inclusion in CIR

Massachusetts

Campbridge, MA passed resoltion in support of UAFA and its inclusion in CIR

Maryland

Mayor of Salisbury sent letters to Sen. Mikulski and Rep. Kratovil (waiting for copies)
Mayor of Takoma Park sent letters to Sen. Mikulski and Rep. Van Hollen (waiting for copies)

Michigan