The Gutierrez Bill, Our Families & The Future
Earlier today, Congressman Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) introduced an immigration reform proposal in the House of Representatives that does not include lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender families. We pushed hard for inclusion in this bill, and we are deeply disappointed. However, I want to be clear: this is not the comprehensive immigration reform package which will move through the House. And, there are many reasons to remain optimistic about our inclusion in CIR down the road.
First, it is important to note that Congressman Gutierrez remains a co-sponsor of the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) and the LGBT-inclusive Reuniting Families Act (RFA) in Congress. In the weeks and months leading up to the introduction of the Gutierrez bill, Immigration Equality pushed for inclusion of our families. When it became clear that this was not to be, we asked for the Congressman to continue to work for an end to immigration laws that discriminate against LGBT families, and we have every expectation that he will do so.
Second, this bill is not the large-scale, comprehensive immigration reform bill that is expected in Congress early next year. That bill is currently being written, and a number of our champions – including Congressman Jerrold Nadler, Congressman Mike Honda and Senator Patrick Leahy – continue to work to ensure that bill includes our families.
Third, some LGBT families will benefit from other provisions in this bill: for starters, those who have fallen out of status because they cannot be sponsored by their partners; LGBT detainees, who are too often victimized and discriminated against under our current system; those who need a path to citizenship in order to keep their family intact; and queer teenagers who have grown up and come out in this country but who have no future without a change in the law.
Immigration Equality will not rest until Congress passes LGBT-inclusive immigration reform. We continue to push – every day – for passage of the Uniting American Families Act, the Reuniting Families Act and every other possible victory for our families. Our strategy has been – and remains – to pursue every available avenue for success.
The bill introduced today is, for all of us, disappointing. But the immediate future remains hopeful. There are many more steps on our journey together – and in the Congressional process – and we remain confident that, in the end, our champions will stand with us, and immigration reform will include our families, too.
Thanks for the news and message. Reading this while in exile gives me mixed feelings – sad that Sen. Gutierrez (who I personally told of this issue in April in San Jose) did not write a truly comprehensive immigration reform bill – and hopeful that Immigration Equality and other groups working with our champions in Congress will make sure that the right answer prevails and SOON! Thank you all for all your hard work.
Comment by Judy Rickard — December 15, 2009 @ 12:43 pm
[...] read more [...]
Pingback by The Gutierrez Bill, Our Families and the Future « NCLR Blog: Out for Justice — December 15, 2009 @ 12:59 pm
It’s time to stop forcing families to split up or live in exile!
Comment by James Johnson — December 15, 2009 @ 1:17 pm
This is disappointing. I have a feeling we’re to this bill like the public option was to the health bill: we’re being kicked to the curb in order to get the bill through Congress. I hope that’s not the case, though, let’s keep working together.
Comment by Shawn — December 15, 2009 @ 1:22 pm
I’m trying to be hopeful for 2010 here, but what do we do now? how can we push our cause, other than what we’ve already been doing? I’m sure I’m not alone in constantly getting looked over in this matter… it stings to know that US is so slow to resolving this when so many other countries have already passed some sort of version of UAFA!
Comment by bkbzipper — December 15, 2009 @ 1:25 pm
Could you write a post outlining what the larger bill will look like? Why are there two (are there more)? I think there were three health care bills in the House to start with). Thanks.
Comment by John Buie — December 15, 2009 @ 1:44 pm
That’s sad news. Any reason from the senator? Why didn’t he include LBGT families although he supports the UAFA bill?
Comment by Gabi — December 15, 2009 @ 1:52 pm
The fact is Uniting American Families Act will never pass as a standalone bill, we need to be included in another bill. Just look at how Mathew Sheppard Act was passed in a Defense bill.
Comment by InExile — December 15, 2009 @ 3:31 pm
Yes, it is very disappointing, and yet, I somehow knew he would not include us in his CIR bill, but like the article says. We have Mike Honda, Lehey, Nadler, so it is not totally hopeless, but what concerns me is that the senate seems to be willing to compromise with those fucking conservatives in the health care reform, I just hope that phenomenon would not extend to immigration reform. I try to remain hopeful, but sometimes I am afraid that we might not even have the momentum, to be even included. Let’s keep fighting, the battle has just begun. Don’t lose hope, guys!
Comment by Chung Cheng Fang — December 15, 2009 @ 4:09 pm
Disappointing! I still have hope but this one made me very sad. If he supports us why aren’t we included in this bill, i don’t get it. I hope 2010 will bring joy to our hearts, being away from him is painful and no human being should go through this! Fingers crossed!
Comment by F3lixP — December 15, 2009 @ 4:17 pm
As many of you probably know by now, there is one piece of good news today…marriage equality passed in Wash DC!!
Comment by Joe — December 15, 2009 @ 4:50 pm
That was supposed to be USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services). If we think that the senate version of the immigration reform will include us, it’s highly unlikely since the senate is significantly more “conservative” than the house.
Comment by nola — December 15, 2009 @ 5:49 pm
It is good news, but it does not have direct effect on UAFA or inclusion of CIR, and also, it is a very small victory that means so little about the overall gay movement here in the U.S. Let’s focus on UAFA now and stay away from gay marriage.
Comment by Chung Cheng Fang — December 15, 2009 @ 6:10 pm
Gutierrez signed on as a co-sponsor of RFA right before he introduced this bill, knowing he would not include us – probably to placate us in anticipation of there being backlash. Gutierrez, like Senator Menendez, bowed to the Catholic Church on this one folks. They lobbied hard against our inclusion and will do so in any bill that includes us. For Gutierrez to omit our families from his ‘progressive’ bill, and then turn around and push for our inclusion in the main bill coming next month seems a bit cowardly. The best thing he could have done would have been to include us in this bill to make it truly progressive and comprehensive. Please call his office and tell him you expect him to work hard to ensure LGBT families are included in the final CIR bill: (202) 225-8203. He owes us this much!
Comment by Tom T. — December 15, 2009 @ 6:14 pm
If this is not THE CIR bill, then could someone please explain why this bill was introduced in the first place? Is it, like the UAFA and RFA, a bill designed to outline a set of proposals that some congressional members want added in the real CIR? Is this a ‘fall-back position’ bill, where, if the larger CIR bill fails to pass, then this bill can be resurrected, along with other smaller bills like UAFA and RFA, and congress can try to pass them instead? I guess a little primer on the process and usefulness of several similar bills being introduced at the same time would be helpful.
Comment by Chris Waddling — December 15, 2009 @ 6:15 pm
I don’t understand why illegal immigrants are pushed ahead of us.
Comment by Sarah — December 15, 2009 @ 6:59 pm
Gay MARRIAGE……puhleeze, thats the very reason we are not included in any immigration bill…..We need federal rights on every level – just freakin’ grant them already and leave that damn word MARRIAGE out of the equation…..don’t you know that it scares the conservatives…..the more you push for MARRIAGE the more we will be excluded from other bills……get it into ur heads already! Unless the DOMA is scrapped….ur fighting a losing battle my LGBT brothers and sisters!
Comment by yo — December 15, 2009 @ 7:03 pm
How can we expect the future if we do not win something for now? They don’t care about us very much.
Comment by Alex Yan — December 15, 2009 @ 8:27 pm
Please, please, please…let’s stop arguing about marriage. We lose focus and argue amongst ourselves and things like CIR being introduced without us happen.
Comment by Shawn — December 15, 2009 @ 9:30 pm
Can someone send us Rep. Guiterrez’s e-mail and let’s all send him a note and tell him that we are disappointed and WILL NOT support his bill nor ANY immigration bill unless we are included.
Comment by Greg — December 15, 2009 @ 10:03 pm
There are many reasons this bill was introduced. One major reason is to get Immigration Reform on the agenda for early 2010. Those above are correct in saying that this is just one bill, and in many ways it is a place holder. Forgive me if I missed it but I think in all the discussion there was only one explanation offered for why Gutierrez excluded us. The Immigration Equality statement, while encouraging and context-providing, does not offer explanations as to possible theories for this exclusion. Was it really the Progressive Caucus bowing to the US Conf of Catholic Bishops, like Menendez? Perhaps I missed that but I didn’t read about that before. Anyway, if anyone has the answer, I think it would provide invaluable insight. We have to start getting much more aggressive if we want to be included in CIR. Anyone who introduces a bill excluding us needs to hear from us LOUD and CLEAR. Excluding LGBT couples from any CIR is unacceptable. Thanks Tom T. for your comment above. We have to fight for this and I don’t think we should be mincing words with Gutierrez. It is outrageous to be excluded from the Progressive Caucus’ version, and the first version to hit the floor and the airwaves. The fight is on. Unfortunately, this is how you learn the painful lesson that pro-gay progressives are often too ready to toss us overboard. 2010 will be the last time in a long time that we have an opportunity to be included in reform if any bill is passed; we cannot afford to be sidelined.
Comment by Lavi Soloway — December 15, 2009 @ 10:19 pm
this is a horrible news, but there will not be any CIR without our families included.
for CIR to go true all the organizations who have common interest have to support it. without LGTB inclusion they can kiss it good bye like they will to health care bill. gay community as whole will only take CIR if it benefits us, without it CIR has no chance. remember it takes a lot of effort to pass it and very little to take it down.
Comment by robert — December 15, 2009 @ 10:39 pm
Hey, Rachel. I just wanted to thank you for your hard work and effort for us. As disappointing as it is about Gutierrez’s Bill is, what you said in this article does give me some hope. There is Mike Honda’s Reuniting Families Act. There Patrick Lehey and Jerold Nadler. Thanks for the encouragement and hard word. I am not going to lose hope over this disappointment. Let’s continue fighting, and thanks again Rachel, and Merry Christmas and a very happy new year. I believe our better days will eventually come.
Comment by Chung Cheng Fang — December 15, 2009 @ 11:10 pm
Wow what a lame response from us. How about a more forceful response. How about telling people about this injustice instead of placating us with things will get better b.s. I leave for Europe Thursday worried about managing my business from overseas. This bill puts my security and livelihood at risk. If gay relationships aren’t included in legislation now, when will it ever happen? So how about a more forceful response from our community.
Comment by Robert — December 16, 2009 @ 12:26 am
I’m now in my 5th year in exile. Looking in at the US from the UK, I’m ashamed. I’m ashamed of the bickering over health care, which should be a basic human right, and I’m ashamed over the treatment of the LGBTQ community by a government that has allowed itself to be taken over by fundamental Christians. How ironic is it that I’ve fled to the UK to be with my loved ones, while the gay community is continuing to be persecuted by the Christian right, when the original Pilgrims fled England to escape religious persecution here? Political leaders here somehow are able to separate their religious beliefs from their ability to govern. I guess that just means that the UK and Europe is more highly evolved and intelligent.
Comment by Tammy — December 16, 2009 @ 3:27 am
@ IE: Thanks for this basic yet very important information and clarification that this RCC-beholden-Gutierrez proposal IS NOT the CIR. Great Job IE and pls keep it up….to all…remember just a few more days to donate to IE (I am not a member of IE in anyway, nor IRS..LOL) with deductibility for 2009. Whatever you do, pls withdraw your donations to RCC (Roman Catholic Church) and/or the Gutierrez camp… unless you are masochistic.
Comment by Joe — December 16, 2009 @ 6:43 am
Folks..DOMA reminder for you and/or your allies: http://www.change.org/actions/view/help_repeal_the_defense_of_marriage_act
Just 1300 to go for “mission accomplished” (goal of 15000)!!
Comment by Joe — December 16, 2009 @ 6:58 am
We need to continue pressing members of Congress on this, despite the disappointing news from Gutierrez. PLEASE sign this week’s petition and spread the word!
http://www.change.org/ideas/2008/view_action/urge_sen_bayh-rockefeller-shaheen-warner-webb_to_support_equal_immigration_rights_for_lgbt_couples
Comment by Tom T. — December 16, 2009 @ 7:00 am
Back in 2002, I was lucky enough to have had the foresight to realize that gay families would not receive immigration benefits in the USA for at least a 10 years. I’m sad and ashamed that my prediction probably grossly underestimated the wait. I am now happily in exile for the past 6 years in Canada, a country that supports both civil rights and religious freedom. I watch the events in the US with great sadness for what my country has become. I will always be an American at heart, but I doubt I’ll ever live there again. This bill confirms to me that while I still love my country, my country does not love me.
Comment by Ron — December 16, 2009 @ 10:03 am
I just called Gutierrez’s office and talked to his staffer in Chicago. I told him how unfair it is to not include LGBT families in his bill and told the staffer briefly about my situation and my partner. I told him I have been trying to stay legal for over 10 years, and it costs such a hardship and fortune just to stay here legally, and I said why do the illegal immigrants get pushed ahead of those of us who try so hard to stay legal here? And the staff told me he will include LGBT families in his final version of the bill, meaning he is still working on it?? I feel a bit skeptical about that. Anyhow, I think maybe we can call him, bug him, and voice our frustration and anger. We have to let Gutierrez know we can not be ignored. We have to help ourselves too. Here is his contact information:
# Washington 2266 Rayburn Building
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-8203
(202) 225-7810 Fax
# Chicago 2201 W. North Avenue
Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 342-0774
(773) 342-0776 Fax
Call him, bug him, email him(I think he only takes emails from his constituents),
One phone call is one phone calls. If he gets thousands of phone calls and emails from us, maybe he will feel the pressure from the LGBT familes. Please, we have to fight, call your gay American friends, tell them about this disappointment. Spread the word, we have Mike Honda, Nadler. Leahy that back us, but we have to put pressure on anyone who caves in to the exclusion of LGBT families. It is not enough we just depend on IE and Tiven to fight. Let’s call him and bug the shit out of him, we need to put pressure on lawmakers like Gutierrez. Bring it on, the fight has just begun. We have to win before 2012 because if GOP takes over, it will be all over. Keep fighting, and start emailing Gutierrez and call him and make him here our voice.
Comment by Chung Cheng Fang — December 16, 2009 @ 10:13 am
thanks for the phone numbers #30
Comment by bkbzipper — December 16, 2009 @ 10:26 am
It’s a shame that two people here have demonized “illegals.” FYI, there’s no such thing as an illegal person, immigrant or otherwise. Stop thinking that you’re “more deserving” of rights than someone else. It makes you the moral equivalent of the enemies of equality.
Comment by Rick D — December 16, 2009 @ 10:35 am
Write you representatives, post on blogs, write your newspapers and tell them no immigration reform without same sex couples being included.
Comment by InExile — December 16, 2009 @ 11:29 am
To all: what are your thoughts on this development as reported by americablog today?
http://gay.americablog.com/2009/12/house-dems-dont-want-to-vote-on.html
Frankly, if the Dems are really going to shy away from politically risky bills (which would include CIR etc) before the mid-term elections, they’ll be hugely mistaken if they reckon that this is not going to cost them votes. On the contrary, they’re going to get royally fucked at the polls. They better not underestimate the damage the LGBT and Hispanic community can deal them by abstaining in Nov 2010. The message has to be clear: you either live up to your promises and show your integrity or you have yourselves to blame if the GOP regains control of the House or worse.
Comment by Tim — December 16, 2009 @ 11:41 am
I just call his office in DC, I told them I am calling from Atlanta, and I am not his constituent but this CIR deeply matters to me since I am gay man in bi-national relationship.
They guy I spoke too was very nice and kept on repeating to me that we will be included in the final version.
I also told him that no reform is comprehensive without us.
He told me more then 3 times that he will include us.
I asked him what are the chances of passing CIR in 2010, because of the midterm elections, and he said congressman would not introduce it if he did not think it would pass, but it will be tough.
Thank you Chung for phone number, and I invite you all to call his office.
Robert, Atlanta
Comment by robert — December 16, 2009 @ 1:33 pm
@32 Rick – I do feel my partner and I are “more deserving” as we have made sacrifices to stay legal. And yes, there is such a thing as an illegal immigrant.
Its frustrating that this bill will allow an illegal immigrant to pay a $500 fine and start the process to become legal. It may be easier to have him come here to find a job illegally, then pay the fine to start the process.
We keep getting the shaft on these immigration bills. Its getting old. We need to start pressuring them more, and like other websites have said, we need to stop giving money to any political party. We give them money and we get nothing. The last “gay president” was clinton and he gave us alot of this mess with DOMA.
Comment by mark — December 16, 2009 @ 1:48 pm
I suppose he is going to try to sneak us into the bill somehow so we’ll fly under the opponents’ radar? If that’s his strategy, I hope it works, and he’ll have my eternal gratitude. In the meantime, let’s keep reminding him so he won’t “forget” us.
Comment by Shawn — December 16, 2009 @ 2:10 pm
#34, I think that’s going to backfire on the Democrats. I know a lot of people who usually support vote Democratic already say they’re not going to bother to donate to or volunteer on campaigns in 2010, and some say they’re not even going to bother voting. If they don’t start acting like, well, Democrats, then their supporters won’t come out and the Republicans will win by default. If that’s the case, goodbye immigration reform until at least 2013.
Comment by Shawn — December 16, 2009 @ 2:15 pm
I JUST CALLED BOTH OFFICES!..and and WAS VERY strong! about this and HOW DARE HE do this without us as we (certainly I0 stood with the latinos in LA with the marches/ protests etc etc…
Im following up with faxes too!..
JUST SO YOU OUT THERE KNOW!.(the woman in the DC office)
is REAL Petulant on this!……
Comment by Derek — December 16, 2009 @ 2:20 pm
I just CALLED AGAIN!!…to the DC office (im so outraged!).
and spoke to a different guy “Angel”.who was great to talk to.he said THEY HAVE BEEN flooded with calls and that “GUTIERREZ” does know and is planning “us” to be included……..BUT I TOLD HIM actions speak LOUDER thanx words!
(especially since I stood with the latino community in the protest marches etc in los angeles)
Comment by Derek — December 16, 2009 @ 2:36 pm
.also..per “joe” in the other previous blog (Immi/Edna .one)
stop any/all donations to the catholic church!
Comment by Derek — December 16, 2009 @ 2:41 pm
Chung….THANX for including the phone and fax numbers .it makes it EASY!.to respond RIGHT AWAY.
which i did to both offices via fax and .cc’d followed up to IE office also with what i sent to guitirrez
Comment by Derek — December 16, 2009 @ 3:05 pm
You are welcome, guys. Thanks for calling his office. Yes, I think this is the best we can do so far as far as Guitrrez’s bill. Calling him and voicing our frustration and concern and put pressure on him. To number 32#, no one is demonizing illegal immigrants. Every individual’s story is different in terms of immigration. In this crazy and broken immigration system, there is a lot of injustice and unfairness going among many groups of people, including gay bi national families, it is not the time to be idealistic, gay bi national families are outnumbered by both the society and the gay American society, it should be understandable that we are angry, fearful, uncertain about our future. I have been here legally for 12 years since I graduated from the university, and I will continue trying to be legal until CIR or UAFA passes so I can be with my partner and share our lives legally here, so I am legal and I have been legal for a decade, does that mean those Mexican illegal immigrants who don’t have papers or visas of any kind should have the right of way to gain their legal status just because they are in the majority of illegal immigrants? Of course, I would say it would not be fair if that happened. Yes, you are right, you can say who is more deserving than who when it comes to immigration rights, but it has to be fair, so should I be screwed for being legal for so long, and the latino illegal immigrants should get ahead of me?? You think about that. All i am saying is the CIR bills have to be fair, and we have to unite together to make sure our inclusion in CIR, and we have to make sure the bill is fair to us. Keep fighting and don’t give up, and don’t forget, we are totally outnumbered, nobody can help us except ourselves, I thank Tiven and IE again for their hardwork. This is just the beginning of the fight, and we have a long way to go.
Comment by Chung Cheng Fang — December 16, 2009 @ 3:22 pm
right I agree (re number 32..I don’t know where that thought was coming from …..”odd” ?…..)
BUT it’s SIMPLE…..THE so called “SYSTEM” is SO BROKEN!!!!!!! petulant and dysfucntional…..that we all need fair treatment …..I do understand why the latino community “does” the Illegal thing BECAUSE THE SYSTEM IS SO BROKEN AND TAKE’s YEARS AND YEARS AND YEARS AND YEARS AND YEARS..so why would you do it legally!
Comment by Derek — December 16, 2009 @ 4:27 pm
It is pretty sad that UAFA wasn’t included in this version of CIR, but I think UAFA will be included in the final bill. However, I’m not sure if it will pass, as there will be a lot of opposition to it, even amongst so called democrats. It still makes me angry at the thought of illegal immigrants jumping the line over someone that has spent so much money to be with their American partner legally for many years. I wish the gay community would start fighting for federally recognized civil unions. The UK legalized civil unions 4 years ago, and that automatically granted same sex binational couples immigration rights. Maybe civil unions will happen before any immigration reform. I would advise any binational couple to plan ahead, and think about moving to a different country just in case this CIR fails. We are thinking about moving to the UK in 2011 after I finish college if America doesn’t wake up. At least I can sponsor my partner there.
Comment by Gerry D — December 16, 2009 @ 5:16 pm
Thanks to all for hard work and for paying attention. I will definitely let Gutierrez’s office know what I think. My partner and I are spending thousands of dollars to keep her here in school (she would much rather be working with children) and we are facing ridiculous barriers in trying to start a family. I am so discouraged I am thinking of leaving family and friends and moving to Canada. I can’t take it anymore.
Comment by Katherine — December 16, 2009 @ 6:05 pm
JUST CALL “PEOPLE!” .CALL!
Comment by Derek — December 16, 2009 @ 6:42 pm
I have heard that Gutierrez’s office has told callers that same-sex couples will be included by him in a future version. Does that make any sense? If he intends to amend his own bill in the future with this particular provision, why exclude it now? We are just shy of having 10 years to build support in the House for PPIA/UAFA. It’s not like Mike Honda (D-CA) has not been extremely vocal about including us in RFA. What is the point of waiting for a future or “final” version of the bill? Excluding same-sex couples from this version is a slap in the face to every binational couple faced with deportation, separation, thousands of dollars in legal expenses, etc., and it opens the door for others to leave us out both in the House and Senate. 2010 is our year to remedy unequal immigration laws that exclude our families. If we don’t win now, we will be having this same circular conversation 10 years from now. We must mobilize.
Comment by Lavi Soloway — December 16, 2009 @ 6:51 pm
……well …I’m not sure and not a “mind” reader..
but my only other thought maybee..that….
it maybee “so contentious” to include it or reference it it in the begining
….and it maybee easier to add on or into close to the end ?
just my thought…..
(because the mean spirited republicans are gonna be ALL OVER the “illegal” word!….so this way it won’t give them a secondary excuse to delay/hold up/stop THE WHOLE BILL.)….just my thought I could be WRONG…….
Comment by Derek — December 16, 2009 @ 7:49 pm
@ Mark 36: ” I do feel my partner and I are “more deserving” as we have made sacrifices to stay legal. ” So that means that you are the only ones making sacrifices right? This is the most pathetic thing I’ve heard here where we’re suppose to unite and fight together. I’m sure the sacrifices the illegals have to go thru are nothing compared to yours… Please, give me a break…
Comment by Jay — December 16, 2009 @ 8:29 pm
@ Jay 50: We’re not the only ones making sacrifices. We’re following the rules, following the laws and should get some reward for it, vs someone who has been here illegally. I’m sure they made sacrifices as well, but they broke the law. Rewarding them seem very wrong to me.
Comment by mark — December 17, 2009 @ 10:03 am
To #50 and #36: Guys, please, we should not have internecine conflict now as this point. Whether we are more deserving than illegal immigrants or not is just a philosophical debate, the important thing here is to make sure the CIR bill’s fairness, it should be FAIR for all kinds of immigrants, including LGBT families. I am sure life has been hard for Latino immigrants who don’t have status as well, but to thing is, just because they are in majority of illegal immigrants, doesn’t mean they should get ahead of everyone, including LGBT families. At this point, it is more important to continuously fight for the inclusion of us in CIR, and again, we must realize, we are VERY VERY OUTNUMBERED. The public does not care about us, not even the gay American community, which only cares about nothing except gay marriage. So we won’t win until we pull ourselves together, we won’t win until we really put some effort and heart to fight. We won’t win until everyone recognizes how unfair it is for LGBT bi national families. Spread the word to your loved ones, to your American friends and gay American friends about this injustice and discrimination, and stay away from gay marriage. We still have a long way to go, but we have the power and ability to show the public and the USA that we can not be ignored, and it is not about marriage, it is about legally staying with your partner for the rest of your life. Bring it on, and I promise you, the better days will eventually come for us.
Comment by Chung Cheng Fang — December 17, 2009 @ 10:22 am
I have called both Gutierrez’s offices and left messages voicing my concerns, but have not heard back from anyone….. I intend to keep calling, but was wondering if nayone else has had the same issue ?
Comment by steve zazz — December 17, 2009 @ 12:52 pm
at steve zazz,
today my cooworkers made 20 calls to his office, phone lines were jammed.
one of the gutirrezz staffer told my friend, that they recivied hundreds of phone calls in protest of lgbt exclusion in CIR.
she also told my friend that phone lines were jammed at the time since the volume is high.
please continue to call and tell everyone to call as well.
Comment by robert — December 17, 2009 @ 1:40 pm
Yes, keep calling his officce. Keep bugging him, hundreds are not enough. Thousands of phone calls will even be better. His staffers told us that we would be included in the final version of the bill, ok, I assume his staffers would not lie in order for them to get us off the phone. Let’s hold them accountable, and keep calling, and one more thing that we can do is we can call Mike Honda and express our concerns and worries. We just keep calling and emailing them. We have to be persistent, aggressive, if we don’t, we will lose again!!
Comment by Chung Cheng Fang — December 17, 2009 @ 2:29 pm
to “chung”…..I AGREE/RIGHT!…..To #50 and #36: we should not have conflict now as this point. Whether we are more deserving than illegal immigrants or not is just a philosophical debate, the important thing here is to make sure the CIR bill’s fairness, it should be FAIR to all immigrants, including LGBT families.
Comment by Derek — December 17, 2009 @ 2:50 pm
…Steve..
I called BOTH OFFICES yesterday….and was VERY AGGRESSIVE and STRONG
about this,….(I was one step away from ripping the staffer a new asshole…I was so outraged)…but commom sense prevailed..as i said previous I spoke to ‘Angel” one of the staffers there..and to the point .he said they have been flooded with calls because the ‘LGBT” community was left out…….
Comment by Derek — December 17, 2009 @ 2:54 pm
Keep “CALLING” People…I just called again (my third time)…..
and spoke to ANGEL again!….I detected from his voice that their almost “Burned” out over the calls….he also….
WALKED THE POLITICALLY CORRECT LINE and REPEATED
he is and will express all calls thoughts concerns to “Gutierrez”……
Comment by Derek — December 17, 2009 @ 3:02 pm
Parity in immigration law for same-sex couples will not be a realistic outcome of this process unless we mobilize. Calling all 87 original co-sponsors and registering your extreme disappointment/outrage that we were excluded is not only worthwhile, it is vital. These are the most progressive members of the House Democratic caucus, and they have to hear from us. Call and tell your stories of exile, of thousands of dollars spent on uncertain legal processes and a broken bureaucracy. Tell of separation and of almost two decades of work to bring us to this day. Get your non-gay friends and family members to call. If we sit back and wait for another “version” to include us we are missing the point. Even if we are included in a future version, we can be easily traded out when the horse trading inevitably begins. We have to show that we can mobilize a phone jamming response. I don’t agree, respectfully, that it is helpful to think of ourselves as “outnumbered.” I think we should be encouraged by the fact that our stories speak volumes. Law reform is always about remedying problems for the affected population, so it’s not surprising that unaffected communities are not prioritizing this. But we should be aggressively communicating to each House member right now that we demand inclusion. Make no mistake: this is our moment. Gutierrez’s bill has the audacity to elevate spouses and children of LPRs out of the “Preference” system and into the category of immediate relatives while ignoring the partners of USCs entirely. Read the bill: there is a lot of reason to complain here; we don’t want that kind of “solution” to preference system backlogs to become the dominant approach, sidelining us. We should be adamant that partners of USCs must be considered immediate relatives under a revised INA.
Comment by Lavi Soloway — December 17, 2009 @ 3:25 pm
.LAVI..
what’s… “LPRs” and “USCs”.? ?….
Comment by Derek — December 17, 2009 @ 5:17 pm
so, i called back to the chicago office and talked to a lady there, she told me i should talk to susan collins in washington,who i guess is the policy writter or something like that, i am planning on calling first thing in the morning, just wondering if anyone else has spoken with her ??
Comment by steve zazz — December 17, 2009 @ 11:35 pm
LPR = Legal Permanent Resident
USC = U.S. Citizen
Comment by Tom T. — December 18, 2009 @ 9:54 am
Hi everyone, posted a new video trying to get the message across what the UAFA is all about and the meaning of if! here’s the link I hope you like it?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fE1_mOohzyQ
Comment by kev uk — December 18, 2009 @ 12:32 pm
.Steve..
what’s the number ?.
so I can call too..?
Comment by Derek — December 18, 2009 @ 3:39 pm
….Kev….great, easy , simple and CLEAR…….
your youtube video
Comment by Derek — December 18, 2009 @ 3:42 pm
[...] pointed out by Immigration Equality, however, the recently announced immigration reform proposal lacks any explicit reference to [...]
Pingback by 2009 CIR ASAP: Still Not Quite There Yet « Philosophical Chopsuey — December 18, 2009 @ 7:57 pm
To all of you who think that you have more deserving rights than the ilegal latino brothers and sisters, don’t forget that a great number of us are also part of the latino community and fully advocate for an inclusive CIR bill. My partner and I belong to both the latino and the LGBT community, so we have to double our efforts to include everybody on this bill.
Comment by Ariel — December 18, 2009 @ 9:46 pm
That is a very good point, whether you think one is more deserving than the other or not is just question of fairness, we have to make sure the bill has fairness and includes everyone and all families including ours.
Comment by Chung Cheng Fang — December 19, 2009 @ 8:56 am
..Ariel,… & Chung…..
“ABSOLUTLY….AGREED!…..it’s about “Fairness FOR ALL!”……
there is no one deserving over the other….BUT THAT”S THE PROBLEM
THE SYSTEM has become THAT!…(The system is/has become a “Box of Chocolates” “of”… let’s pick this one today”…..)
No There should be “ONE RULE” and applied evenly to all!
Comment by Derek — December 19, 2009 @ 6:44 pm
Glad senate is very close in passing health care reform, hopefully, immigration reform will start soon sometimes early next year. We have to keep fighting for our inclusion in CIR. Happy holidays to you all, and do not lose hope.
Comment by Chung Cheng Fang — December 21, 2009 @ 2:55 am
According to this article, Pelosi doesn’t want the House Democrats to have to vote on “controversial” issues like DADT and ENDA.
http://rodonline.typepad.com/rodonline/2009/12/house-dems-no-vote-on-controversial-dadt-and-enda-in-2010.html
This only shows how much of a fight we have ahead of us to get UAFA or CIR passed. DADT and ENDA are LGBT-issues with wide public support, the former especially and yet the morons on the Hill deem them controversial?
Comment by Tim — December 21, 2009 @ 3:54 pm
They seem determined to be a do-nothing Congress, and will be recognized as such and will be swept out next year if that’s the case. They need to realize that they need to do things of substance, like pass UAFA, that their voters elected them to do.
Comment by Shawn — December 22, 2009 @ 9:55 am
…Yeah..
“Congress ” is/has become a “Do Nothing” body…..
1)….they are more interested in working in/on their own strategy of “Re-Election”….and making a lifetime job situation for them selves
2)……because of that reason….there is very LITTLE “new blood/people” in there!…so they are an older generation with older points of view!….
points of veiw that do not fit the times or climate of everyday life!
Comment by Derek — December 22, 2009 @ 2:24 pm
Folks…many of you, but not all may know that Gay Marriage is now legal in Mexico City…USA will soon be the last bastion on primitive mentality in North America, when it comes to Gay Rights… just FYI!!
Comment by Joe — December 22, 2009 @ 3:28 pm
We all know, it is all over the news, that is a good news for global gay movement, but it does nothing for our fight of UAFA, please stay away from gay marriage and focus on our immigration rights.
Comment by Chung Cheng Fang — December 22, 2009 @ 6:42 pm
My understanding is that Speaker Pelosi promised that the House would not vote on any controversial bills (including comprehensive immigration reform and repealing “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell”) unless the Senate acts first. This could also explain why the House Committee on Education and Labor postponed their scheduled markup of ENDA (Employment Non-Discrimination Act) last month without any explanation. Therefore, Rep. Gutierrez’s entire bill is irrelevant because Speaker Pelosi won’t allow it to be voted on until the Senate passes it’s version. The problem is that there is a huge legislative backlog in the Senate right now because they have been so tied down with health care. Seeing how hard it is to get health care through the Senate, I would not hold my breath on passing immigration reform in an election year. The narrow window of opportunity to pass comprehensive immigration reform in the near term may have already closed.
See: http://thehill.com/homenews/house/72461-pelosi-to-shield-vulnerable-members-from-tough-votes
Comment by Bruce in Missouri — December 23, 2009 @ 1:12 am
Let`s wait for the final Bill from the Senate. We still have a choice!!!
I am in Spain and my bf in Los Angeles… It’s complicated this situation. We only have a job opportunity for me ( let’s see if someone responds me), the visa lottery or if not, my bf will come here with me…
Let’s trust in the Senate one more time
Comment by Santi — December 29, 2009 @ 6:38 pm