Why Marriage Matters to Binational Couples
"Reunification of families serves the national interest not only through the humaneness of the policy itself, but also through the promotion of the public order and well-being of the nation. Psychologically and socially, the reunion of family members ... promotes the health and welfare of the United States."
"But, lesbian and gay people's families do not count. Their partners are excluded from the definition of 'spouse.' Such couples are trapped between two ferocious panics sweeping the U.S. One is over equality in civil marriage. Amid rancorous debate about whether to recognize lesbian and gay people's partnerships at any level, some distort the demand for simple fairness into a claim for 'special rights,' and portray the principle of non-discrimination as a bid for privilege. Some opponents of 'gay marriage' openly define lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people themselves as second-class citizens."
— Family, Unvalued: Discrimination, Denial and the Fate of Binational Same-Sex Couples Under U.S. Law, Human Rights Campaign
Use the key resources below to learn more about why marriage matters to binational couples.
FROM EVAN WOLFSON:
Marriage equality, justice in immigration go together
Gay people — both citizens and non-citizens — have a direct stake in
both immigration fairness and ending anti-gay discrimination.
The need to stand up against hostile or unfair policies
Evan Wolfson weighs in on immigration and the freedom to marry.
For Richer, For Poorer: Same-Sex Couples and the Freedom to Marry as a Civil Right
Excluding same-sex couples from the economic and social benefits of marriage harms the most vulnerable, those of lesser means, immigrants, people who are ill, and children.
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STORY CENTER COUPLES:
Meet some of the families from our Story Center
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WHERE YOU CAN GO TO GET INVOLVED OR LEARN MORE:
Immigration Equality
Immigration Equality is a national organization fighting for equality
under U.S. immigration law for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender,
and HIV-positive individuals.
Human Rights Campaign: International Rights and Immigration
Around the world, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender families face
widespread discrimination. Most governments do not offer legal
recognition for same-sex relationships. In addition, binational GLBT
couples in many countries must cope with immigration laws that fail to
recognize their families.
National Center for Lesbian Rights:
Immigration
In 1994 NCLR became the first national LGBT legal organization with an
Immigration Project. Since those early years NCLR has provided free
legal assistance to thousands of LGBT immigrants nationwide.
Love Sees No Borders
The inability to marry prevents individuals from sponsoring a
non-citizen same-sex partner for immigration purposes. This
disproportionately threatens the stability of Latino same-sex couples'
families, many of which include children. Love Sees No Borders is an
advocacy organization established in 2001 to assist bi-national
same-sex couples trying to live in the Unites States.
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LEGISLATIVE STATUS OF GAY AND LESBIAN FAMILIES IN THE U.S.:
The Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) was reintroduced in Congress on Tuesday, May 8, 2007. Read Immigration Equality and Human Rights Campaign's joint press release on the reintroduction.
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THE NUMBERS: POLLING & STATISTICS:
There are an estimated 40,000 binational same-sex couples in the U.S. according to the 2000 U.S. Census.
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PUBLICATIONS:
Family, Unvalued: Discrimination, Denial and the Fate of Binational Same-Sex Couples Under U.S. Law
The United States, a nation of immigrants, likes to see itself as a
symbol of freedom. Family reunification is central to U.S.
immigration policies. Yet some families have no recognition — and no
rights. Binational same-sex couples are lesbian and gay couples where
one partner is a U.S. citizen, the other a foreign national.
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NEWS:
View news about why marriage matters to binational couples.
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Gay people — both citizens and non-citizens — have a direct stake in
both immigration fairness and ending anti-gay discrimination.
Immigration Equality
Immigration Equality is a national organization fighting for equality
under U.S. immigration law for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender,
and HIV-positive individuals
The United States, a nation of immigrants, likes to see itself as a
symbol of freedom. Family reunification is central to U.S.
immigration policies. Yet some families have no recognition — and no
rights. Binational same-sex couples are lesbian and gay couples where
one partner is a U.S. citizen, the other a foreign national.
With the broadening view of human rights around the globe and
acceptance of gay relationships, 19 countries now permit citizens or
legal residents to sponsor same-sex permanent partners for legal
residency. The United States is not among them.
