Immigration Equality Lesbian and Gay Immigration Rights Task Force/LA c/o L.A Gay and Lesbian Community Services Center/Legal Services Department 1625 North Schrader Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90028-9998 (new vox) 213-526-2915 (fax) 213-993-7699 (email) LGIRTF@abacus.oxy.edu http://www.qrd.org/qrd/www/world/immigration/lgirtfla.html NEWSLETTER:_May_1996_ NEXT MONTHLY MEETING SET FOR TUESDAY MAY 14 at 7PM The next regularly-scheduled monthly meeting of Immigration Equality will be, as usual, on the second Tuesday of the month at 7pm. To be exact, that is Tuesday, May 14 at 7pm at the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Community Services Center (1625 North Schrader Boulevard in Hollywood, two blocks west of Cahuenga Boulevard and one-half block south of Holywood Boulevard.) We will be meeting in Room 204 (on the second floor) in the library of the legal services department. CONGRESS ON THE VERGE OF SENDING IMMIGRATION BILL TO CLINTON The United States Senate has passed its version of an immigration ``reform'' bill, which is different from the more punitive House version. The bills now move to a conference committee, which has to produce one bill which can pass both houses of Congress and reach the President's desk. PRE-EMPTIVE FEDERAL STRIKE AGAINST GAY MARRIAGE LAUNCHED! On Wednesday, May 8 Congressman Bob Barr (R-GA) introduced the H.R. 3396, Defense of Marriage Act, which would define, in U.S. federal law, that marriage is a ``legal union between one man and one woman'' and allow the federal government and the states to only recognize heterosexual marriages. This is a direct response to the ongoing court battle in Hawaii, where the State Supreme Court is likely to end the bar against same-gender couples from marrying sometime in 1997. If this bill becomes law, then no federal agency (e.g. the Immigration and Naturalization Service) will be be able to recognize same-gender marriages performed in Hawaii for any purpose (e.g. immigration sponsorship of foreign spouses, tax returns, et cetera). You should write your congressperson as soon as possible and give them your opinion on whether you think H.R. 3396 should become law. IMMIGRATION EQUALITY PLANNING LEADERSHIP SUMMIT Continuing our outreach strategy, Immigration Equality is planning a leadership summit on ``Immigration Issues in the Queer Community.'' We will be inviting a large number of gay/lesbian/bisexual and HIV/AIDS organizations (especially ones which primarily serve people of color) to attend a meeting where together we can form a coalition to advocate for immigration issues in the queer community. PLANNING FOR SUMMER PRIDE EVENTS NEEDED This year's theme for gay/lesbian/bisexual pride events throughout the world is ``Pride Without Borders.'' This theme works perfectly with Immigration Equality's slogan of Love Knows No Borders and we would like to get a group of volunteers who would like to assist in giving immigration issues a high profile at pride events throughout Southern California. If you are interested, leave us voicemail at 213-526-2915 if you don't attend the May 14 meeting. Some upcoming Pride Dates are May 18-19 (Long Beach), June 22-23 (Los Angeles), August 17-18 (Orange County), July 4 (UC Riverside) and July 26-28 (San Diego). Immigration Equality seeks to end discrimination in immigration against lesbians and gay men through education, outreach, advocacy, and a nationwide resource and support network. OUR MISSION * To advocate equal immigration rights for lesbian and gay people * To support marriage as a vehicle for lesbian and gay immigration * To build an immigration legal resource and social support network for the lesbian and gay community. * To empower lesbian and gay people with knowledge of immigration rights