ANOTHER STATE GRANTS EQUALITY

On June 24, 2011 New York state legalized marriages for gay/lesbian couples. What a joyous occasion for all of the loving couples just wanting equality under the law. But still nothing for same-sex binational couples. Instead of embracing equality for all Americans, the Republicans are hell bent on defending DOMA to the very end--hopefully the end of this unconstitutional law which is destroying so many families. Why is it so hard for them to see this law is not only unconstitutional but so WRONG? DOMA needs to end now! Tell your family, friends and government representatives to sponsor the Respect for Marriage Act!

REPUBLICANS TO DEFEND DOMA

Just saw the news update and look who will be defending a law that they know to be unconstitutional. How can you possibly defend DOMA? Well it looks like Mr. Boenher is willing to throw out the Equal Protection Clause from our Constitution. Now of course Mr. Boenher supports limited government. Yet same-sex couples pose such a "threat" that he supports government intrusion into our very homes and private lives. And he portrays himself as religious. And that part if fine however I do have a problem when his religious views infringe on me and my family and my rights as an American citizen simply because he or politicians like him disapproved of my life and family.

Where is the outrage? And exactly how are you defending marriage by denying it to some citizens? Perhaps the republicans should read our Constitution again and maybe learn something. So in short-- Mr. Boenher you are a disappointment!

REPUBLICAN RESPONSE TO SOU SPEECH

The following is a partial of Rep. Ryan's response:

"So I'd like to share with you the principals that guide us. They are anchored in the wisdom of the founders, in the spirit of the Declaration of Independence, and in the words of the American Constitution. They have to do with the importance of limited government and with the blessing of self-government.

We believe government's role is both vital and limited, to defend the nation from attack and provide for the common defense, to secure our borders, to protect innocent life, to uphold our laws and constitutional rights, to ensure domestic tranquility and equal opportunity and to provide a safety net- to help provide a safety net for those who cannot provide for themselves.

We believe that the government has an important role to create the conditions that promote entrepreneurship, upward mobility and individual responsibility. We believe, as our founders did, that the pursuit of happiness depends on individual liberty, and individual liberty requires limited government."

1. First of all Mr. Ryan have you read the Constitution? The Republicans and some Democrats have been wiping their butts with the Constitution for years. Can you say 14th amendment? Anyone born in the United States are citizens period! (most likely relates to his secure our borders reference) Immigrants founded our country and now we want to shut our doors and make getting here almost impossible.

2. Second, how much individual liberty are we allowed under the Republican "principals"? Can you say the Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional? You see Republicans love to showcase our Constitution and spout their rhetoric about "individual liberty" but only if that liberty lines up with their own personal principals and morals.

3. What is the Republican position on the "equal protection clause?" Is it only for straight Americans or is is for ALL Americans? Why are Americans being forced to choose between our country or our loved ones? Why are gay and lesbian Americans being denied the same equal protection under all of our laws as straight Americans?

4. And lastly health care is a right and not a priviledge available to only those who can afford it. If you believe so much in our current system why don't you give up your health plan provided to you by the taxpayers? You won't because you know why? It's not as good as what you get now!

Long time for any posts! Just an update. As of October 6, 2010 we both officially became Canadian citizens. Sadly I am still wondering when we will assimilate. I have seen anywhere from 2-3 years but over 5 yrs now? I am still working on my potential novel which tells our story in detail. It is getting ever closer to completion.
Also so many people we have lost touch with either our fault or no fault. Anyone who would like to contact my email: nwturks6770@yahoo.com. My aol email is no longer working!

On August 25, 2009, the LGBT community lost one of its greatest champions, Senator Edward Kennedy. During his Senate career, he offered steadfast support for a host of LGBT legislation. He always believed that even gay and lesbian Americans deserved equal rights and equal treatment under the law. Our community has definitely suffered a loss. For me, his support of the Uniting American Familes Act would help me and my partner return to America and for his support for this important legislation, I am grateful.

The UAFA still awaits being brought up for a vote in Congress!! Why is our government dragging its feet on something so important to bi-national couples? What is meant by "liberty and justice for all"? Thank you Mr. Kennedy for always believing our community should be treated equal under the law as all other Americans. Shame on all of the other politicians who continue to believe as though we are second class citizens. And shame on all those politicians who continue to not show their support for the UAFA. They must believe it is ok for an American citizen to have to live in exile.

LETTER TO MICHAEL MOORE

It has been a very long time between posts. May 6-8 is lobby week for the UAFA. Yesterday I sent this email to Michael Moore in hopes that maybe we can generate some exposure. I know it is a longshot but it doesn't hurt to try. The following is my email:

Dear Mr Moore,

I don't think I have ever sent a e-mail to a film celebrity before but here goes. I have seen both of your documentaries I can't count how many times--and in my opinion they were both right ON target. I am now going to take a chance that you are an open minded individual and hope that you can see another situation from a human perspective.

Every day Americans in loving, same-sex, binational relationships are forced to make heartbreaking choices to maintain their relationship; including leaving the United States to be with the person they love. There is a bill that has been in Congress since 2000 that if enacted could end this discriminatory policy in the U.S. immigration code. The Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) is currently in committee again--H.R. 221 and S.1328 respectively. In fact, according to the 2000 U.S. Census there are an estimated 40,000 such couples.

The UAFA seeks to fulfill the pledge of family unification under current U.S. Immigration policy by adding the term “permanent partner” where the word “spouse” currently appears in the Immigration and Nationality Act. This would allow American citizens and permanent residents the ability to sponsor their same-sex partner for immigration benefits without challenging the Defense of Marriage Act.

I met my partner in February 2003 in Portland, Oregon. She was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. Somehow I knew she would change my life forever. Before we planned our commitment ceremony, my partner informed me that in 2002 she had filed a claim for political asylum in the U.S. At first I had no idea of the impact this would have on us or how our future could possibly be affected. Then I did some research. My partner had passed the one-year deadline and it would be almost impossible to get past this legal challenge. I further found that there was no relief for same-sex couples under the law. In January 2005 we were both forced to flee to Canada for protection. It is hard to quantify how it feels to be exiled from your own country. Yes we are safe, together, and grateful to this country for giving us that opportunity but we still have not been able to adjust. I think it has to do with the fact that we were essentially forced to live here. If we had a choice, we would still be home in the U.S. There is not a day that goes by that both of us yearn to be back home. As a U.S. citizen, I am still struggling to understand how my relationship is so threatening that it warrants being exiled. Our life at home was totally destroyed. We had to leave our home, jobs, family, friends, and posses­sions behind. Our credit was literally devastated from attempting to stave off our departure and live a normal life at the same time.When we came to Canada, we had no support network, no place to stay, and no status. For almost three weeks we lived in a shelter. Neither of us had ever lived like that before and to this day it has affected us in a way that is hard to explain.
Finally, I hope you will agree that not only is it fundamentally unfair to force any American into exile, separating them from their family, friends and community but it is essentially a form of persecution. The UAFA remains the only way to keep loving couples together, and I hope that there is way that you can help. I urge you to take a look at the following websites to read our stories firsthand--to see our suffering and longing for only one thing--to be able to keep our families together in the country that we love:

http://www.immigrationequality.org/
http://www.loveexiles.org/
http://www.out4immigration.org/

LIVING IN EXILE

I often wonder what is wrong with me. Why have I not accepted my new home? Will it be permanent? Am I just ungrateful? Why do I keep longing to "be home"? Do people look at me and think she needs to just get over it?

I look at other people who have made the move and they seem undoubtedly excited--why not me too. I am grateful and excited about us being together however I still feel we were not given a choice and this fact I just can't seem to reconcile.