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.

OUR MISSION