WHAT YOU CAN DO JOIN OUR NATIONWIDE ORGANIZATION-- THE LESBIAN AND GAY IMMIGRATION RIGHTS TASK FORCE LOS ANGELES c/o Lambda Legal 6030 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 200 Los Angeles, CA 90036 ATTN: Jeff Kim 213.993.7674 ATTN: J. Craig Fong 213.937.2728, ext. 37 email: LGIRTF@abacus.oxy.edu SAN FRANCISCO c/o National Center for Lesbian Rights 870 Market St. Suite 570 San Francisco. CA 94102 ATTN: Shannon Minter 415.392.6257 NEW YORK CITY c/o Lambda Legal 666 Broadway 12th Floor New York, NY 10012 ATTN: Lavi SOloway 212.802.7264 email: LGIRTF@dorsai.org WASHINGTON, D.C. 202.675.3050 JOIN US A general meeting of the Los Angeles chapter of the Task Force is held on the second Tuesday of every month, 7:30 PM, at Western Regional Office of Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund (6030 WIlshire BIvd., Suite 200). Please call 213.937.2728, ext. 37 to confirm the date and time of the next meeting. At these meetings, new members can meet and share their experiences with others who are similarly impacted by homophobic and HIV/AIDS- phobic U.S. immigration laws. Together, we can increase the community's awareness of these unfair policies and work to reform the laws. Come and see what a difference you can make. Confidentiality is assured. NATIONAL STORY COLLECTION DRIVE If YOU have felt the frustration of discriminatory immigration laws, you can do something to fight for change. Write your personal stories to document accurately the impact of the current law on your life. For couples, this would include a general description of how you met, how long and under what circumstances you have been together, and what frustrations have been caused by the immigration law's refusal to recognize your relationship. You may use pseudonyms. Send your stories to the Task Force as soon as possible. All stor1es will be kept confldential. FREE LEGAL CLINIC Through partnership with the LA Gay and Lesbian Community Sewlees Center (1625 N. Schrader BIvd.), the L.A. Chapter of the Task Force can help answer questions you may have about immigration law. Call Jeff Kim at 213.993.7674 to schedule an appointment with a volunteer immigration attorney. THE ISSUES * The Immigration and Nationality Act permits the immigration of a foreign spouse, recognizing the basic right of Americans to live with their loved ones in this country. * But this law discriminates against lesbian and gay people by preventing us from living with loved ones who happen to be foreign citizens. Just as this law permits so marlV heterosexual couples to be together, it separates many of us from our loved ones because it does not recognize our foreign partners as family. * The HIV exclusion can be waived for heterosexual spouses, yet until same-gender couples are recognized by immigration law, no such waiver is available to us. T H E L I V E S * David, a 35 -year old engineer, was living in Tokvo when he met Hiro, a 40 -year old architect. Their relationship grew more serious, and they moved into an apartment together until David's employment in Japan ended. He was transferred back to the United States. What followed was a difficult period during which David tried to help Hiro immigrate to the United States but found that he could not "sponsor" his partner on the basis of their relationship. David and Hiro spend only a few weeks of the year together, traveling back and forth at great expense. Most ofthe year, they are separated by an unfair law that refuses to recognize their relationship. * Elena came from Argentina to study. She was introduced to Karen, an accountant, by a friend. Elena's student visa and work permit expired, and she could not find an employer to sponsor her. Elena did not want to return to Argentina, not knowing whether or not she would be able to return, so she stayed. Elena cannot work without papers, so she and Karen are forced to survive on Karen's modest salary. Elena cannot pursue the employment for which she is trained; without valid papers she cannot even leave the countrv to visit her family. Elena and Karen are frustrated by the law denying them equal opportunity to pursue their life plans together. T H E F I G H T Recognize Lesbian and Gay Families * Immigration law should apply equally, without exception. to lesbian and gay couples, and their families. * Already Australia, Canada, Denmark, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway and Sweden recognize lesbian and gay couples for immigration purposes. * Lesbian and gay couples and their children should be able to live together here, fulfilling one stated purpose of immigration law: family unity. Repeal the HIV ban * Current U.S. immigration law denies entry to immigrants who test positive for HIV. The World Health Organization, the American Medical Association, the Centers for Disease Control, and the National Commission on AIDS oppose this ban as discriminatory against people living with HIV/AIDS and ineffective in halting the spread of HIV. Grant Asylum Rights * Foreigners with a well- founded fear of persecution qualify for asylum in the U.S. * Gays and lesbians around the world face state -sponsored penalties, torture, and death for their sexual orientation. * Like others who seek refuge in the U.S., persecuted lesbians and gays should be granted asylum in the U.S.