Immigration Equality
Lesbian and Gay
Immigration Rights Task Force/L.A.
P.O.
Box 2329 / Los Angeles, CA 90078-2329
voice:
323.526.2915 / fax: 323.993.7653 / e-mail: lgirtf@abacus.oxy.edu
web:
http://www.qrd.org/qrd/www/world/immigration/lgirtfla.html
NEWSLETTER: MARCH 2000
IMMIGRATION EQUALITY MEETING ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15 AT 7 PM
Please
join us on Wednesday, February 15 at 7 pm for Immigration Equality’s next
general meeting. We will meet at the L.A.
Gay & Lesbian Center (1625 North Schrader Boulevard in Hollywood, 2
blocks west of Cahuenga and ½ block south of Hollywood) in Room 204 (2nd floor).
Look for signs and/or ask at the front desk for Room 204.
YOU ARE INVITED TO “EMIGRATING TO CANADA: AN INFORMAL CHAT WITH THE CANADIAN CONSUL FOR IMMIGRATION” AT THE L.A. GAY & LESBIAN CENTER ON MARCH 30
The
Canadian Consulate General in Los Angeles, in cooperation with the L.A. Gay
& Lesbian Center’s Immigration Law Project, will present a seminar on
Canadian immigration policies and procedures on Thursday, March 30, 6-8 pm, at
the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center (1625 North Schrader Boulevard in
Hollywood). Please call to reserve
seating. The number is (323) 993-7670,
ext. 3. Please see attached flyer for
additional details.
“LOVE KNOWS NO BORDERS” NEWS
STOP DEPORTING OUR LOVERS!
On Valentine's Day 2000, Immigration Equality--the L.A. chapter of the Lesbian and Gay Immigration Rights Task Force--organized a rally at the Federal Building in downtown Los Angeles to raise awareness about the plight of same-sex binational couples under current U.S. immigration law. Addressing this crucial issue were Ron Buckmire (Immigration Equality), Morris Kight (pioneer activist), Charles Lago & Chip Snell (same-sex binational couple facing deportation), Tim Miller (performance artist), Michael Nielsen (aide to Congressman Xavier Becerra/original co-sponsor of H.R. 3650), The Very Rev. Warren Nyback (Bishop's Liaison to the Lesbian & Gay Community, Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles), Myron Dean Quon (Lambda Legal), and Lynette Sperber (PFLAG). In a heartwrenching performance piece, Tim Miller and his students dramatized the devastating reality of being torn apart that same-sex binational couples face on a daily basis.
HR 3650: “PERMANENT PARTNERS IMMIGRATION ACT OF 2000”
Also on February 14, 2000, Representative Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) introduced legislation in Congress that would provide to same-sex couples all the immigration benefits that accrue to legal spouses under current laws. U.S. citizens can sponsor their foreign national husbands or wives to immigrate on the basis of the spousal relationship. U.S. citizens in committed relationships with foreigners of the same sex, however, can not sponsor their partners, no matter how long the couple has been together nor how committed their relationship.
The United Kingdom, Canada, and South Africa are among 13
nations that already provide such benefits.
FAREWELL AND THANK YOU TO CHAZ LLANOS!
The Board of Immigration Equality wishes Chaz Llanos well
as he embarks on his new endeavor outside California, and would like to extend
its appreciation to Chaz for his work with Immigration Equality on the
"Love Knows No Borders" campaign.
He set an example of immigrant empowerment: as someone directly affected by the discrimination in U.S. immigration laws against same-sex binational couples, Chaz channeled his frustration with the status quo into Immigration Equality's effort to help change the law. He can rest assured that Immigration Equality will continue to move forward with the next phase of the "Love Knows No Borders" campaign and begin to work on other exciting projects.
HOW TO CONTACT/FIND OUT MORE ABOUT “LOVE KNOWS NO BORDERS”
"Love Knows No Borders" campaign can be reached
at loveknowsnoborders@yahoo.com. LKNB’s web site—http://loveknowsnoborders.homepage.com--includes moving
stories of many same-sex binational couples struggling with discriminatory U.S.
immigration laws. We would also like to
hear from our straight supporters!