According to The Advocate, a new bill that will be introduced to the Senate this week is expected to include help for some members of the LGBT community. According to news being shared from the office of Sen. Robert Menendez of New Jersey, the immigration bill that their senator is introducing will include language for same-gender loving individuals.“We fully expect that the Menendez comprehensive immigration reform bill will be inclusive of the Uniting American Families Act,” said Steve Ralls, director of communications for the pro-LGBT Immigration Equality. UAFA would allow American citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their same-sex partners for residency. “We have been in constant communication with Senator Menendez’s staff to ensure that the legislation will include lesbian and gay families,” Ralls added.
For me, this is very exciting news. I personally know several couples that have been in long term relationships where one of the partners is an immigrant. Now if these were straight couples this would not be an issue. They could get married and live happily ever after. Unfortunately as members of the LGBT community we are denied the right to marry and therefore are not afforded this luxury. As a result my friends have had to overcome some relationship burdening, legally taxing obstacles so that they can stay together. I don't think that's fair and I don't think that's constitutional.
So hopefully this bill will be LGBT inclusive and hopefully it will see its way to becoming law. If that happens I (and many of my friends) will release a collective sigh and dance a jig because it will definitely be a step in the right direction.
No comments:
Post a Comment