Apologies for blog disruption & best update avenues
(this post will be stuck to the top of the blog for a few days– check below for new posts!)
Due to some recent & unplanned changes in our web service, you may have noticed the Immigration Equality website disappearing or misbehaving for brief periods in recent weeks. We thought it was all behind us until the blog collapsed this week– I missed an important detail and in the resulting tussle we lost about 2 weeks of blog entries and comments. I tried and tried to get them back… to no avail.
As it is, we owe a big thank you to Morry & Dennis, especially Dennis, at litchinut.com for helping get things back up and running. Thanks guys!
If you are a regular blog reader but do not receive our email updates, please click on the “Sign Up” link to the right! Although we try to keep the blog updated, the best source for detailed updates and action alerts is our eBulletin. Sign up!!
We may re-post some recent blog entries, so advance apologies if there’s a little repetition. Thanks for your patience during the disruption!
Also, yay Maine!
Thanks Morry & Dennis! I missed checking in here. Yah Maine also!
Comment by bkbzipper — May 7, 2009 @ 6:11 am
I’m glad this blog is back.
Let’s keep it up.
Comment by osman — May 7, 2009 @ 10:00 am
Apparently we have to do more work in the LGBT community on the UAFA. Here is an article slamming the UAFA on a LGBT website. The author even claims that adding the UAFA to the CIR will only hurt the chances of passing the CIR. Apparently Don George was right when he said that there would be fractures within the LGBT and immigration communities. Be sure to read the article, it will make you head spin. Leave comments too.
(cut, paste, remove spaces)
ht tp://tinyurl. com/cg83bd
Comment by nola — May 7, 2009 @ 12:07 pm
And I was naive enough to think that the blog might be down for purposes of improvement or updating. Hmph.
Comment by TheHeatIsOn — May 7, 2009 @ 12:32 pm
@Nola
I and others have been commenting on this blog. However, the author ( Yasmin Nair) announced that she is going to delete ‘repetitious’ comments, which she already did. We are now writing to QueerCents about the censorship.
Comment by Lee — May 7, 2009 @ 1:21 pm
nola: interesting link. That person’s arguments are nonsensical. She’s opposed to marriage in general (gay or straight) and thinks UAFA is gay marriage by another name. Which it’s not – the whole thing is downright idiotic. Also amusing to note that they closed the comments even though none of them seem violate their comment policy – they were all respectful. Strongly opinionated but respectful. Anyhow; worth a laugh, or two. That’s about it.
Comment by Scooby — May 7, 2009 @ 2:56 pm
I looked for an email for Nair on Queercents, but could not find one. She is also a contributor for the Bilerico Project. If you want to email her directly her email is yasmin@bilerico.com
Comment by nola — May 7, 2009 @ 4:09 pm
Talking about nonsensical, idiotic and amusing….how about Outrageous. FYI the movie “Outrage” opens tomorrow May 8th. It is a documentary about hypocrisy of lawmakers who are closeted. What an appropriate movie for our movement (UAFA). Anyone care to speculate on its impact on the UAFA/movement?
Comment by Joe — May 7, 2009 @ 4:47 pm
We have another cosponsor in the House…
Rep Rush, Bobby L. [IL-1]
Total is now 98
Comment by Sue — May 8, 2009 @ 6:32 am
Hey! Has anybody noticed that we have a new co-sponsor?
Rep Rush, Bobby L. [IL-1] – 5/7/2009
via imeq.us link to Thomas
Yoohoo!
Comment by TheHeatIsOn — May 8, 2009 @ 6:42 am
Bobby Rush was on our list of congressmen we wrote to 2 weeks ago so I’m encouraged that more people will sign up still. Would be fantastic if we got several additions at once like we did back in March or so when we had 4 new cosponsors in one day.
Waiting on New Hampshire – could be any day now when they get marriage equality. Maine is by no means safe yet – if the opposition gets 55,800+ signatures within the next 88 days or so to put the issue on the ballot, they can delay the new legislation for some time. EqualityMaine are confident though that the voters will side with us. Keep an eye out on New York too – I’m still hoping that they will join this year; either them or New Jersey. If either wins marriage equality, the other is likely to follow soon. Rhode Island has better chances for 2010 when the current governor leaves.
Comment by Tim — May 8, 2009 @ 9:58 am
@Tim. Do you know if the referendum (assuming 55K signatures is met) in Maine requires a 1/2 or a 2/3 majority to overturn marriage equality in that state. Obviously, I hope marriage equality remains in Maine, but people were also confident that Prop 8 would not pass in CA. At least, I am assuming, that Maine doesn’t have the Black and Hispanic communities to contend with.
Comment by nola — May 8, 2009 @ 11:45 am
Nola, what a racist remark on your part: “the Black and Hispanic communities to contend with.” Being GAY you should know better. People like you make me sick. Shame on you!
Comment by tisme — May 8, 2009 @ 2:20 pm
@Nola, good question, and I’ve not been able to find an answer, having looked even at the Maine Constitution. I would imagine that a simple majority would suffice to ban same sex marriage but I can’t confirm for sure. However, I also read a blog entry from June 2008 which stated that people’s vetos against LGBT legislation have not fared well historically and oftentimes didn’t even make it to the ballot. Also, Equality Maine will have absorbed the lessons learned from Prop 8 in CA, and not be complacent. Even though the opposition can challenge the law again in June 2010 (I think), we can assume that Maine will be safe. New Hampshire, fortunately, does not grant voter referendums. I’d expect New Hampshire to have marriage equality late next week when the 5 day period expires, assuming John Lynch doesn’t support or veto the legislation beforehand.
Comment by Tim — May 8, 2009 @ 2:44 pm
Laws that are the subject of a people’s veto do not go into effect if what appears to be a sufficient number of signatures are submitted to the state.
In this instance, if opponents are able to gather at least 55,087 signatures by mid-September, the law would not take effect while the secretary of state is reviewing the signatures.
If the signatures are valid, the law continues to be stayed until the vote is taken in November. If they are not valid, the law goes into effect immediately, Dunlap said.
The people’s veto is outlined in the Maine Constitution and has been used in recent years to overturn legislative action.
Comment by Tim — May 9, 2009 @ 3:53 am
@Sue, THION, and Tim (#9,10,11): Thanks. Awesome that another US Rep has signed on. It is important to note as you do, that this may well be a result of our efforts to bombard individual targetted Congresspersons WEEKS ago. Indeed it is reasonable to expect lags of 2-3 weeks from the time that we (and it is not just IE, but other affiliated organizations as well such as out4Immig) initiate “projects” to the time they sign up. Out4Immig has been targetting Rep Patrick Kennedy of Rhode Island to sign on through this week (Mother’s Day), so let us watch out for the result of that by the end of May. By the time CIR is brought to the table, be it in the end of summer or in the fall, hopefully UAFA will have its own heft and clout to be surely included in any bandwagon in the most advantageous way.
Comment by Joe — May 9, 2009 @ 6:13 am
Folks, just a suggestion: Since it is not possible to email Reps Bobby Rush and Steve Israel directly to thank them, what I’ve done is write through my own Rep (E. Engel). In the brief note, I ask him to extend the thanks to recent US reps (his colleagues B.Rush and S.Israel) who’ve recently co-sponsored UAFA. This makes things easier and hits two birds with one stone: refreshes in the mind of our own Reps the issue of UAFA, and updates them on where the bill stands in addition to getting the message to the new ones who’ve signed on to UAFA. If you like, for your convenience, I am pasting my brief email which you can use as a template:
Honorable (your US Rep name here)
It is a pleasure to reiterate our admiration for your vision and courage in co-sponsoring the 2009 UAFA (Uniting American Families Act).
Please extend our thanks as well to your colleagues Bobby Rush (Illinois) and Steve Israel (NY) for following in your lead when they co-sponsored the UAFA as recently as the past couple of weeks.
Your names will be forever engraved in the grateful minds of the hundreds of thousands of oppressed citizens, their families, their friends and relative, and, supporters throughout the district, state and US.
We trust that you will continue to work with proponents of this (UAFA) bill to position it in the most effective way towards eventual enactment be it as a part of the upcoming CIR or the Reuniting Families Act (H.R. 6938).
We sincerely thank you.
Respectfully,
(your name here)
Folks, obviously, if your US rep is one who hasn’t signed up yet to co-sponsor the UAFA, then the first part of the letter should be altered accordingly.
Just a suggestion to keep the snow ball rolling and growing since the fall is only 4 months away. Then CIR and/or the Reuiniting American Families Act will be rolling along and we had better be ready and positioned to maneuver effectively!
Comment by Joe — May 9, 2009 @ 8:28 am
My posts keep getting deleted!
I just want to get my point across that nola’s racist remark [..."the Black and Hispanic communities to contend with"] is absolutely deplorable, especially coming from somebody who is GAY. You should know better nola. Shame on you!
Comment by tisme — May 9, 2009 @ 3:02 pm
@tisme. You’ve said your piece — twice. Let’s move on.
Comment by Rick — May 10, 2009 @ 8:25 pm
@tisme. Actually, my comments were directed more towards religion than race. I am proud to say that I am an atheist. And frankly, I am sick of religion’s influence in government policy. Both the Hispanic and Black community are by far more religious and “church going” than White communities; probably due to socioeconomic reasons. And in the North East (i.e. Maine), they are among the least religious regions of the US. Therefore, the reality is that, hopefully, religion will have less of an impact in New England. Furthermore, when those religious groups attack my civil rights, I don’t care what race they are I will open my mouth. The time has come for atheists to find their voices.
Comment by nola — May 10, 2009 @ 10:46 pm
@tisme. Besides, in politics they use demographics all the time to win elections. And correct me if I am wrong, but Hispanics and Blacks do constitute demographic categories. Or were you, tisme, offended by the wording “Hispanic” or “Black”? I use to live in a Black neighborhood with a Black landlord and Black neighbors in New Orleans. I once used the words “African American”, thinking I was being politically correct and my neighbor bit my head off saying that he is not from Africa he was Black. Anyway, the Hispanic and Black demographic tend to vote against LGBT rights (due to their religiousness). Therefore this will probably not be an issue to contend with in Maine. Though we still have to contend with the White religious fanatics.
Comment by nola — May 10, 2009 @ 11:26 pm
Is anyone here from Washington State’s 1st Congressional District – Represented by Congressman Jay Inslee? If so, please e-mail me privately as I need your assistance. tptierney at gmail dot com
Comment by Tom Tierney — May 11, 2009 @ 10:37 am
@IE: sort this blog out, I mean seriously. Posting a link is impossible of late.
Comment by Tim — May 11, 2009 @ 10:41 am
@Tim: Didn’t realize comment links were broken on the new server. Should be fixed now. If you see issues like this, let me know directly, as I don’t always watch the blog comments closely!
Comment by Gabe — May 11, 2009 @ 1:06 pm
Folks: this terrific editiorial by eugene robinson from this weekend’s Washington Post on Obama’s less than stellar LGBT support is a must-read:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/07/AR2009050703055.html
Comment by Tim — May 11, 2009 @ 2:15 pm
@Gabe, thanks it’s working now
Comment by Tim — May 11, 2009 @ 2:16 pm
If anyone here wants to help keeping the pressure on the White House re the repeal of DADT, have a look at this:
http://gayrights.change.org/actions/view/call_the_whitehouse_on_tuesday_may_12_in_support_of_ltchoi_and_all_the_12500_others
Comment by Tim — May 11, 2009 @ 2:56 pm
#26 why arent’ we setting up a day for uafa call? we should be doing something like this for us too…
Comment by bkbzipper — May 11, 2009 @ 3:48 pm
@ Tim #25: Thanks for the info/heads up on such a nice article. I immediately responded with an email to Eugene Robinson as follows:
Re: Friday May 8th (MIA on Gay Marriage)
Sir, Thank you for speaking out loudly for our rights as US citizens. While others pontificate and posture, we live as second class citizens every second and minute and hour of each day, waiting for our rights to be granted.
One day more than a year ago, I watched my plane’s door close without my partner because he was held back at immigrations, not allowed to come to the US, because I don’t have the right to claim him as a resident (a right of heterosexual US citizens). Dogs and Cats were allowed through to board the plane, but not my partner.
We have since been separated and thinking of all the means and ways to be reunited. Meanwhile I continue to pay (probably more taxes than most US citizens who enjoy all the rights of citizenship) my dues and contribute to society like the rest of the country without even the basic human right of being with the one we choose as a life partner.
So, as our lives pass inexorably on from second to second, minute to minute, day in and day out, we can only keep fighting, advocating and hoping that decent, fair-minded people like you, join us in our quest for equality. Thus, Thank You!
Sincerely,
jmd/joe
New York, NY
Comment by Joe — May 11, 2009 @ 4:26 pm
To all, try not to miss this intriguing NY Times article today that may give many people on both sides of the argument some insight into the true complexity (or ultimate simplicity) behind the meaning of marriage: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/12/opinion/12boylan.html?_r=1&ref=todayspaper
Comment by Joe — May 12, 2009 @ 8:27 am
Joe…#28
GREAT.comment…short and to the point!………
that’s how all the letters should be..nobody reads anymore…and those who do.
have so much mail that short and to the point info is required.
Comment by derek — May 13, 2009 @ 3:22 pm
Andrew Sullivan has an article on the Obama administration. Worth reading perhaps
http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2009/05/the-fierce-urgency-of-whenever.html
Comment by Simon — May 13, 2009 @ 6:40 pm
Thank you IE, Gabe and Julie (if I may) for keeping this blog up.
It’s so encouraging with so many responses and comments. May I suggest IE to put up another round of email letter on the site for us to send to various house representatives and senators on UAFA, and one to the HHS for pushing the lifting of the HIV ban?
We might also set up signing desk, at GLBT centers at major cities of the country, to collect signatures to be submitted to them. Gay Pride Parades are coming up everywhere, perhaps we can contact the organizers to help.
Comment by Mike — May 15, 2009 @ 4:21 pm