Senate to Hold First-Ever Hearing Addressing Anti-Gay Discrimination in US Immigration Law

So check out this exciting news...the Senate is going to hold its first-ever hearing addressing discrimination towards LGBTQ persons in immigration law!

Immigration Equality, an organization I work with that focuses on ending discrimination in US immigration law and helping obtain asylum status for LGBT and HIV+ persons persecuted in their home countries, just sent me this press release:

For Immediate Release Contact: Steve Ralls
May 28, 2009 (202) 347-7007 / sralls@immigrationequality.org

Senate to Hold First-Ever Hearing Addressing Anti-Gay Discrimination in U.S. Immigration Law
June 3^rd Judiciary Hearing Will Debate Uniting American Families Act

What: The Senate Judiciary Committee will hold its first-ever hearing on The Uniting American Families Act (UAFA), a bill to end discrimination against lesbian and gay Americans in U.S. immigration law and allow lesbian and gay citizens to sponsor their partners for residency in the United States.

Who: The hearing was scheduled by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Chairman of the Judiciary Committee and the lead Senate sponsor of UAFA. Witnesses will include binational couples who have been separated, or face separation, because of discriminatory U.S. immigration law.

Why: An estimated 36,000 binational couples are impacted by U.S. laws prohibiting gay and lesbian Americans from sponsoring their partners for residency. Countless lesbian and gay families, including many with children, are torn apart by U.S. immigration law, or are forced to leave the United States in order to remain together. While 19 other nations allow lesbian and gay citizens to sponsor their partners, the United States continues to discriminate against tens of thousands of families. As the nation prepares to consider immigration reform, the Judiciary Committee hearing will provide an important opportunity for lawmakers to hear from some of those families.

When: Wednesday, June 3, 2009

10:00am

Where: Room 226 – Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C.

For more information, please contact Steve Ralls, with Immigration Equality, at (202) 347-7007, or email sralls@immigrationequaltiy.org.

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Immigration Equality is a national organization that works to end discrimination in U.S. immigration law, to reduce the negative impact of that law on the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and HIV-positive people, and to help obtain asylum for those persecuted in their home country based on their sexual orientation, transgender identity or HIV-status. Through education, outreach, advocacy, and the maintenance of a nationwide network of resources, we provide information and support to advocates, attorneys, politicians and those who are threatened by persecution or the discriminatory impact of the law.

Check back in next week and I'll make sure I get you full coverage of the hearing!