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
May 1996 Newsletter
NEXT MONTHLY MEETING SET FOR TUESDAY MAY 14 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, April 9 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 H.R. 3396, the 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 {\it Pride Without Borders}. This theme works perfectly with Immigration Equa
lity's slogan of {\bf 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 {\bf 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).
WE NEED TO HEAR FROM YOU
In order to reduce our costs of sending these newsletters we need to hear
from people who want to continue receiving them. Please CALL US at 213-526-2915
and leave your name and phone number to let us know you want to remain on our
mailing list. Thanks!
Immigration Equality
seeks to end discrimination in immigration against lesbians and gay men through
education, outreach, advocacy, and a nationwide resource and support network.
- 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