Binational LGBTQ Families and Their Inclusion in Immigration Reform
Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) organizations who seek immigration equality (Immigration Equality, The DOMA Project and Advocacy at the Latin American Coalition) and those who are part of a binational LGBTQ (Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender and questioning - someone who is questioning their sexual and/or gender orientation) household continue to strive for change even after the decade-long battle for inclusion and access to green cards for their spouses appear to be over.
LGBTQ community members of the Latino persuasion, and those who are associated or concerned, were outraged when they discovered through media sources that religious leaders opposed the inclusion of LGBT families in immigration reform, only to find that, that was only a partial truth. Yes, many in the Christian community discriminate against LGBT families in the immigration system, but that does not mean that all religious leaders are guilty of that claim. According to The Huffington Post's contributor Bishop Minerva G. Carcano, over 40 denominations or national faith organizations stand in full support of LGBT inclusion in the immigration policies, and support the dismissal of Section 3 of DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act).
Lesbian and gay individuals with a partner born outside of the United States have found that their marriage to members of the same-sex are now being recognized by the Federal Government, which means that gay American citizens can now sponsor foreign-born spouses for green cards, thanks to the undermining of Section3 of DOMA, which was unconstitutional, and violated a specific protection that was supposed to guaranteed. DOMA was signed into a law by President Clinton in 1996, leading to the denial of benefits and protections of binational same-sex couples.
"The sole basis for denial by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) was Section 3 of DOMA. After today's ruling, that obstacle has, at long last, been removed," said the DOMA Project website.
Lacey Williams, Director of Advocacy at the Latin American Coalition, said that its organization works with "natural allies" within non-LGBT communities, such as immigrants, people of color, those who face criminal justice issues, and those who are impoverished - because their plights coincide, as they face discrimination. The need for job protection and health benefits runs parallel to discrimination faced by some binational families when seeking marriage benefits and citizenship for their significant others. And, though the update on DOMA is good news, it does not mean that LGBT organizations can retire their battles and disperse; because the day-to-day life of all LGBT couples and all binational couple still needs protection.
"You can have incredible policies as a city and a county, but what happens on the day to day to LGBT people who are not employed by the city?" Williams asks. "There has to be this sort of ongoing conversation and cultural shift that can only happen if we have a strong, unified community that sees LGBT people of color as part of the LGBT community," said Williams.
LGBT advocates continue to strive for countrywide human rights equality and demand that the government listens to undocumented voices.