Lesbian & Gay Immigrant Families File Suit Challenging Federal Defense of Marriage Act

NEW YORK, April 2, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Five Couples Ask Court to Recognize Families for U.S. Immigration Purposes

Five lesbian and gay couples filed suit today in the Eastern District of New York, challenging Section 3 of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which prevents lesbian and gay American citizens from sponsoring their spouses for green cards. The lawsuit, filed on the couples' behalf by Immigration Equality and the law firm of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, alleges that DOMA violates the couples' constitutional right to equal protection.

"Solely because of DOMA and its unconstitutional discrimination against same-sex couples," the lawsuit states, "these Plaintiffs are being denied the immigration rights afforded to other similarly situated binational couples." Were the Plaintiffs opposite-sex couples, the suit says, "the federal government would recognize the foreign spouse as an 'immediate relative' of a United States citizen, thereby allowing the American spouse to petition for an immigrant visa for the foreign spouse, and place [them] on the path to lawful permanent residence and citizenship."

The five couples named in today's suit are:

Edwin Blesch and his South African spouse, Tim Smulian. Edwin and Tim, who have been together for more than 13 years, were married in South Africa in August 2007. While their marriage is honored by Edwin's home state of New York, their green card petition was denied on March 14, 2012. They reside in Orient, New York.

Frances Herbert and her spouse, Takako Ueda, who is originally from Japan. Frances and Takako, who have known each other for 22 years, were married in April 2011. Their petition for a green card was denied on December 1, 2011. They reside in Dummerston, Vermont.

Heather Morgan and her spouse, Maria del Mar Verdugo, a native of Spain. Heather and Mar have known each other for 14 years. They were married, in New York, in August 2011 and have a pending green card petition, which is expected to be denied. They reside in New York City.

Santiago Ortiz and his spouse, Pablo Garcia, a native of Venezuela. Santiago, a Puerto Rican American, met Pablo in 1991 and registered as domestic partners in 1993. In May 2011, they were married in Connecticut. The couple have filed a green card petition, which is expected to be denied. They reside in Elmhurst, New York

Kelli Ryan and her spouse, Lucy Truman, a native of the United Kingdom. Kelli and Lucy have been a couple for more than 11 years and entered into a civil union in July 2006. They were married in March 2010 in Connecticut. Their petition for a green card was denied on March 27, 2012. They reside in Sandy Hook, Connecticut.

The plaintiffs in the suit include a retired professor of English at a New York college (Blesch); a home elder-care provider (Herbert); a marketing director for a global non-profit organization (Morgan); a retired school psychologist (Ortiz); and two doctors of immunology (Ryan and Truman).

"The families in today's lawsuit meet every qualification for immigration benefits, with the sole exception that they happen to be lesbian or gay," said Rachel B. Tiven, Esq., executive director of Immigration Equality. "Solely because of their sexual orientation, they have been singled out, under federal law, for discrimination and separation. That's not only unconscionable; it is unconstitutional. We know DOMA cannot withstand careful review, and we know we will prevail on their behalf."

Immigration Equality is widely recognized as the country's premiere national organization providing legal counsel to LGBT immigrant families. In 2011, the organization fielded 1,431 legal inquiries from binational couples like those in the suit filed today, a 141% increase over the previous year. A recent analysis from the Williams Institute at the University of California-Los Angeles estimated 36,000 couples - and the nearly 25,000 children being raised by them - are impacted by the United States' refusal to recognize lesbian and gay relationships for immigration purposes.

"Whether the federal government recognizes a couple's marriage can determine whether a family may remain in the United States and live together, or may be torn apart," the suit states, adding that, ". . . the federal government also has set the preservation of families as national priority."

"As a nation," the complaint filed with the court says, "we want to keep families together, not rip them apart."

"These families represent the tens of thousands of others like them who are threatened with, or have already been forced into, separation or exile," Tiven said. "Their victory in court will end the threat that has hung over their families, their homes and their marriages for far too long."

DOMA, the lawsuit concludes, "threatens . . . marriages while purporting to 'defend' marriage. It does violence not only to these five couples, not only to the institution of marriage, but to the Constitution of the United States."

A copy of the lawsuit, biographies of each plaintiff couple and other information are available online at www.immigrationequality.org/lawsuit .

Immigration Equality is a national organization fighting for equality under U.S. immigration law for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and HIV-positive individuals

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/lesbian-gay-immigrant-families-file-suit-challenging-federal-defense-of-marriage-act-2012-04-02-171900

Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation to honor Facebook

Summary: The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) has announced it will be honoring Facebook during its 23rd Annual GLAAD Media Awards at the Marriott Marquis Times Square later this week.

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) has announced the people and groups it plans to honor during its 23rd Annual GLAAD Media Awards at the Marriott Marquis Times Square on March 24, 2012. Among the honorees are film and television producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, writer and producer Shonda Rhimes, financial services company Wells Fargo, and Facebook.

You might be wondering what Facebook has done to get a nod from the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) media advocacy and anti-defamation organization. Facebook will receive a Special Recognition Award at the ceremony for its company’s strong stand and leadership around bullying prevention as well as its inclusive options for LGBT users. The video embedded above is just one example.

Another is what happened following anti-gay comments on a memorial page for LGBT youth. Facebook worked with GLAAD to monitor the highly visible page and launched, in conjunction with several LGBT organizations, and its Network of Support, which serves in a consultative capacity on issues of importance to the LGBT community like bullying prevention.

In February 2011, Facebook added two new relationship status options: “in a civil union” and “in a domestic partnership.” The following month, President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama used Facebook to promote their anti-bullying message in a video and Facebook announced two new safety improvements in conjunction with the White House summit for preventing bullying.

Last but not least, Facebook was among corporate leaders that participated in Spirit Day with GLAAD. The day’s goal is to encourage employees to turn Facebook photos purple and wear the color on October 20 as a sign of support for LGBT youth.

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/facebook/gay-lesbian-alliance-against-defamation-to-honor-facebook/10562

L’homoparentalité dans les mains de la Cour européenne des droits de l’homme

C’est une histoire qui part de Clamart et pourrait connaître, après près de dix années, une forme de happy end à Strasbourg. Demain, la Cour européenne des droits de l’homme dira si Anaïs (le prénom a été modifié), 12 ans, peut espérer être adoptée par la compagne de sa mère. Et donc avoir deux parents, comme n’importe quel enfant. Même s’il s’agit de deux femmes.

Nathalie D., 50 ans, sa mère biologique, l’a mise au monde après une insémination avec donneur anonyme en Belgique ; Valérie G., 45 ans, est sa compagne. C’est ensemble qu’elles ont voulu cette enfant. Et c’est ensemble qu’elles l’élèvent. Ensemble encore qu’elles ont écumé en vain les tribunaux avec un seul objectif : permettre à Valérie d’adopter Anaïs. Sa demande, une adoption simple (1) qui lui permettrait de transmettre à Anaïs son nom de famille, son patrimoine et autoriserait un vrai partage de l’autorité parentale. Afin d’être, à égalité avec Nathalie, l’interlocutrice du collège, du médecin, etc.

Faute d’assurer cette égalité, la France risque d’être condamnée, demain, par la Cour européenne, pour «discrimination». Au nom de l’article 8 de la Convention européenne des droits de l’homme qui veille au respect de la vie privée et familiale, et de l’article 14 interdisant toute forme de discrimination (sexe, race, religion, etc.).

Blackbouler. Pour l’instant, la France n’autorise l’adoption qu’aux couples mariés (art. 365 du code civil). Et comme le mariage gay n’existe pas, les couples homos sont d’office mis hors jeu. C’est peu dire que Nathalie, mère au foyer, et Valérie, psychologue, croisent les doigts. Comme les 175 000 couples homosexuels français (et au moins autant d’enfants) qui, depuis des années, se font systématiquement blackbouler par tous les tribunaux de l’Hexagone.

Mais si la Cour européenne jette l’éponge ? «Si je ne gagne pas, souligne Caroline Mécary, l’avocate de ce couple de femmes, seul un changement législatif en France pourra résoudre la situation. Et ce ne sera possible qu’avec la victoire d’un candidat de gauche, Sarkozy s’étant prononcé contre l’évolution des droits des homos.Or, l’enjeu est de taille : il s’agit de la protection des enfants. On est forcément beaucoup mieux protégés quand on a légalement deux parents plutôt qu’un seul.»

C’est au nom de cette protection que l’avocate a décidé de guerroyer jusqu’à Strasbourg. Une première pour ce genre de dossier. Le combat avait pourtant commencé classiquement. 2005 : première demande d’adoption simple devant le tribunal de grande instance de Nanterre. Retoquée. Nouvelle tentative devant la cour d’appel de Versailles. Encore ratée. Reste, logiquement, à se pourvoir en cassation. Mais, en juin 2007, l’avocate bifurque et décide de s’en remettre directement à l’instance européenne. Car entre-temps, la plus haute instance française a rendu deux arrêts de principe (cinq à ce jour) rendant impossible tout espoir d’adoption simple par des couples homos. «C’est pour cela, explique Caroline Mécary, que j’ai préféré m’en remettre à Strasbourg, l’organe judiciaire suprême qui veille à la bonne application de la Convention européenne des droits de l’homme par les Etats membres.»

Août 2010 : Strasbourg juge la requête recevable. Et fixe une audience publique (fait rare) au 12 avril 2011. L’affaire est de taille : le gouvernement français missionne dix-huit fonctionnaires à Strasbourg. Anne-Françoise Tissier, sous-directrice des droits de l’homme (au ministère des Affaires étrangères), plaide. Elle enfonce le clou sur le mariage, et rappelle que dans l’esprit du législateur, l’union conjugale reste «le cadre le plus protecteur de l’enfant», avant d’invoquer une question sociétale dépassant la cour : «La possibilité pour un enfant d’avoir une filiation établie uniquement à l’égard de deux femmes ou de deux hommes est un bouleversement sociétal de la conception séculaire de la famille fondée sur une appréciation de l’intérêt supérieur de l’enfant[…]. De tels changements ne peuvent être avalisés que par le Parlement.»

Espoir. En face, des ONG ont demandé à être tiers intervenant. Dont la Fédération internationale des ligues des droits de l’homme (FIDH), l’European Region of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (Ilga-Europe)… Le dossier mobilise. Avec l’espoir que l’heure est venue : «Désormais, onze pays européens permettent l’adoption simple au parent social d’un couple homo (Allemagne, Belgique, Espagne…), explique M^e Mécary.Et la Suisse et le Luxembourg sont en train de modifier leur législation pour permettre cette forme d’adoption. Cela veut dire qu’aujourd’hui en Europe, il existe un consensus sur le fait que l’intérêt de l’enfant doit prévaloir sur des considérations morales concernant la sexualité de ses parents.»

http://www.liberation.fr/societe/01012395805-l-homoparentalite-dans-les-mains-de-la-cour-europeenne-des-droits-de-l-homme

LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER, AND QUEER (LGBTQ) ORGANIZATION GETEQUAL TEXAS HOLDS PROTEST TODAY DURING PRAYER EVENT ORGANIZED BY GOV. RICK PERRY

Group will hold “funeral” to bring attention to LGBTQ youth who have committed suicide

HOUSTON, TX - GetEQUAL Texas is assembled outside Reliant Stadium in Houston, the site of Rick Perry's "The Response," an event run by the American Family Association, the organization which the Southern Poverty Law Center calls a hate group.

The group is holding a funeral outside the stadium, drawing attention to what they say is the impact of these kinds of events on youth in Texas and across the country. With banners and signs, along with a giant coffin bearing the names of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth who have committed suicide, GetEQUAL will chant “WE SHALL OVERCOME.”

"Our Governor invited, and therefore endorsed, groups to preach hate in our state," said Michael Diviesti, GetEQUAL Texas’ State Lead. "The American Family Association and the Family Research Council empower the bullies that are driving our youth to suicide and the murderers who kill out of hatred and ignorance. We will no longer allow our community to be hurt in silence!"


http://www.thecypresstimes.com/article/News/National_News/LESBIAN_GAY_BISEXUAL_TRANSGENDER_AND_QUEER_LGBTQ_ORGANIZATION_GETEQUAL_TEXAS_HOLDS_PROTEST_TODAY_DURING_PRAYER_EVENT_ORGANIZED_BY_GOV_RICK_PERRY/48934

Festival of Rights LGBT Groups Talk Rise in AIDS and Legal Victories

More than 5,000 people turned out to support Santa Barbara’s LGBT community last Saturday for the annual Pacific Pride Festival. The event at Leadbetter Beach was part of a five-day citywide celebration hosted by the Pacific Pride Foundation, which is the largest LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) organization between San Francisco and Los Angeles that offers services to HIV/AIDS patients. The foundation was joined by a host of other LGBT advocacy groups including Santa Maria’s GRACE (Gay Rights Activists for Change & Equality), as well as members of the First Congregational and Unitarian churches, there to demonstrate that many communities of faith embrace gays and lesbians.

The event marks a moment when a number of California LGBT foundations are struggling to provide aid and support. Pacific Pride lost $750,000 in state money two years ago when Governor Schwarzenegger eliminated AIDS funding for small and mid-size counties. “It really decimated our budgets,” said David Selberg, executive director of Pacific Pride. “I had to lay off half our staff.” Before the cuts, Santa Barbara County averaged two new AIDSinfections a year. In the last four months alone, the foundation has seen 12 new infections. “These are young people, these are two pregnant women, these are UCSB students—these aren’t just [LGBT community members],” said Selberg. Pacific Pride’s nurses and social workers are paid with donor dollars. Other organizations haven’t been as lucky attracting outside help. Selberg pointed to the Ventura County Rainbow Alliance, which is closing its doors at the end of this month due to lack of funding.

Despite the budget crunch, LGBT communities across the country recently celebrated a number of legal victories: The approval of civil unions in Rhode Island, same-sex marriage in New York, and a UN resolution endorsing LGBT rights. Just last week, a federal appeals court ordered the Defense Department to stop enforcing the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy. Still, only six states currently allow same-sex marriage. California’s Proposition 8, eliminating gay marriage, remains embroiled in legal challenges. Passed in 2008, the bill was struck down by a federal district court and now drifts in limbo.

Selberg spoke about the need for more youth outreach to make communities as a whole more accepting of LGBTindividuals. As the trial of Brandon McInerney unfolds in nearby Ventura County—McInerney allegedly shot and killed a transgender classmate during school—the notion that Santa Barbara is ahead of the curve, said Selberg, understates the real animosity that many people in the area still feel. “I can’t tell you the number of kids in our youth groups who get bullied or bashed,” said Selberg, who receives angry phone calls and hate mail on a regular basis.

Pacific Pride works with teachers and high schools to improve support systems for LGBT students, but Selberg believes that even with available counselors, the lack of dialogue within public schools only undermines their efforts. “Teachers want to talk about our movement with other movements. They just don’t have language for it,” Selberg said, referring to a bill passed by the California State Assembly last week. If signed by the governor, it would require schools to include American LGBT contributions in history textbooks. “I think if it’s in a textbook, and they’re able to have a discussion about Harvey Milk or the Stonewall [riots], it facilitates that conversation,” said Selberg.

The foundation is also training law enforcement, an area of support Selberg said is sorely lacking. “Oftentimes we’re afraid to approach law enforcement. And so bullying and hate crimes are grossly underreported in our community,” he said. Many victims of hate crimes come to Selberg or Pacific Pride Foundation personally but do not want to report incidents to the authorities. With the help of a gay officer and volunteer, the foundation recently held a workshop with the police department with the hope of improving the way officers reach out to the community.

Similarly, Selberg emphasized the need for the gay community to assert itself in a positive way. “It’s the old Harvey Milk thing. If we all came out, this issue would be over,” he explained. “And those that are most fearful of us need to meet us, get to know us. We’re not scary people. We don’t want special rights, we don’t want separate but equal rights, we just want the same rights. It’s pretty basic.”

http://independent.com/news/2011/jul/13/festival-rights/

Focus sur National Center For Lesbian Rights

Focus sur le National Center for lesbian rights, une formidable organisation, comme il en faudrait plus.

The audacity to fight for justice. The perseverance to win.

We started as pioneers. And we still are.

In 1977, a brave and determined woman—fresh out of law school and eager to make a difference—decided to put her knowledge to good use. As a legal scholar, Donna Hitchens saw the courtroom as a way to change the world. As a lesbian, she had experienced frustrations and fears—both personal and professional—and didn’t want others to suffer the same. And as a future parent, she knew she would face even more challenges ahead.

On this foundation, the National Center for Lesbian Rights was born.

That was over three decades ago. Today, that pioneering spirit and unwavering commitment to advance the civil and human rights of LGBT people continues. Each year, through litigation, public policy advocacy, and public education, NCLR helps more than 5,000 LGBT people and their families nationwide. And our precedent-setting case victories literally re-write the law, changing the legal landscape for all LGBT people and families across the nation. For three decades we’ve led historic cases, and today we are still trailblazing in pursuit of justice, fairness, and legal protections for all LGBT people.

Making change means changing everything.

From a humble yet tenacious initial focus on addressing the overlooked discrimination against lesbians, NCLR has grown to expand its life—and law—changing work in order to advance the legal landscape for every LGBT person. No stone will go unturned in pursuit of our goal of achieving full and equal access to civil and human rights for all. Our programs focusing on employment, immigration, youth, elder law, transgender law, sports, marriage, relationship protections, reproductive rights, and family law create safer homes, safer jobs, and a more just world.

The National Center for Lesbian Rights is a national legal organization committed to advancing the civil and human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and their families through litigation, public policy advocacy, and public education.

Year Founded: 1977

What We Do: NCLR is a non-profit, public interest law firm which litigates precedent-setting cases at the trial and appellate court levels; advocates for equitable public policies affecting the LGBT community; provides free legal assistance to LGBT people and their legal advocates; and conducts community education on LGBT legal issues.

Who We Serve: More than 5,000 lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and their families in all fifty states each year, including LGBT seniors, immigrants, athletes, and youth. And our impact litigation serves all LGBT people in the United States.

http://www.nclrights.org/site/PageServer

Cubs go to bat for LGBT youth Team becomes just 2nd in U.S. pro sports to align with 'It Gets Better' campaign

The Cubs are sending a message of support to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth, becoming only the second professional sports team in the country to join the anti-bullying "It Gets Better" campaign.

"Hatred, intolerance and bigotry have no place in this world," Cubs pitcher Ryan Dempster says in a new video the team put together.

The Chicago Cubs organization celebrates you for exactly who you are, gay or straight," says manager Mike Quade.

The video joins thousands of others posted on the itgetsbetter.org website, launched in 2010 by syndicated columnist Dan Savage and his partner as a response to the high rate of suicide among lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) teens.

The San Francisco Giants were the first professional sports team to join the "It Gets Better" campaign, and several other Major League Baseball teams have signed up to produce similar videos.

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-06-22/news/ct-talk-cubs-it-gets-better-0623-20110622_1_lgbt-lesbian-transgender-youth

http://www.itgetsbetter.org/