GAYS SUPPORT IMMIGRATION REFORM
GAYS SUPPORT IMMIGRATION REFORM
CHICAGO -- The director of Illinois' statewide gay and lesbian civil rights organization will be among the speakers at the May 1 immigration reform rally in downtown Chicago.
"Immigration reform is certainly an issue of importance to gay and lesbian Americans", said Rick Garcia, public policy director of Equality Illinois. "Current immigration policy is unfair and unjust for gay people and our families."
Equality Illinois is especially concerned about the undocumented partners of gay and lesbian US citizens. Because the US will not recognize same sex marriages, gay and lesbian people are not eligible for legal immigration on the basis of their relationships. Non-citizen heterosexual spouses, on the other hand, can immigrate here easily and legally.
"Our non-citizen partners can be deported," Garcia claimed. "That causes financial hardship, emotional suffering and it tears our families apart -- especially for gay couples with children."
"We need immigration reform and we need it now," Garcia said.
Equality Illinois was founded in 1992 to secure, protect and defend equal rights for gay, lesbian and transgender Illinoisans. Garcia, one of the organizations founders, is the grandson of immigrants.
Following are Garcia's remarks at the immigration rally:
Statement in Support of Immigration Reform
Rick Garcia, Director of Public Policy
Equality Illinois
May 1, 2006
I stand here today as the grandson of immigrants -- Rogelia Yglesias and Angel Garcia -- and I stand here today as a gay civil rights activist.
We are a nation largely made up of immigrants. And yet we need immigration reform. Current immigration policies are unfair, unjust, hurt our families and diminish the greatness of this country.
The opponents of immigration reform are the same opponents of civil rights for gay people. We share a common enemy. The political forces that seek to criminalize undocumented workers are the same bigots who work against the basic rights of gay and lesbian people.
We are especially concerned about the undocumented partners of gay and lesbian US citizens. Because the US will not recognize same sex marriages gay and lesbian people are not eligible for immigration on the basis of our relationships. Non-citizen heterosexual spouses, on the other hand, can immigrate here easily and legally.
Our non-citizen partners can be deported -- which causes financial hardship and grievous suffering, especially for gay couples with children.
We need to protect our families. We need to send the message that we are a country of fairness, equality and justice. We need immigration reform and we need it now.
CHICAGO -- The director of Illinois' statewide gay and lesbian civil rights organization will be among the speakers at the May 1 immigration reform rally in downtown Chicago.
"Immigration reform is certainly an issue of importance to gay and lesbian Americans", said Rick Garcia, public policy director of Equality Illinois. "Current immigration policy is unfair and unjust for gay people and our families."
Equality Illinois is especially concerned about the undocumented partners of gay and lesbian US citizens. Because the US will not recognize same sex marriages, gay and lesbian people are not eligible for legal immigration on the basis of their relationships. Non-citizen heterosexual spouses, on the other hand, can immigrate here easily and legally.
"Our non-citizen partners can be deported," Garcia claimed. "That causes financial hardship, emotional suffering and it tears our families apart -- especially for gay couples with children."
"We need immigration reform and we need it now," Garcia said.
Equality Illinois was founded in 1992 to secure, protect and defend equal rights for gay, lesbian and transgender Illinoisans. Garcia, one of the organizations founders, is the grandson of immigrants.
Following are Garcia's remarks at the immigration rally:
Statement in Support of Immigration Reform
Rick Garcia, Director of Public Policy
Equality Illinois
May 1, 2006
I stand here today as the grandson of immigrants -- Rogelia Yglesias and Angel Garcia -- and I stand here today as a gay civil rights activist.
We are a nation largely made up of immigrants. And yet we need immigration reform. Current immigration policies are unfair, unjust, hurt our families and diminish the greatness of this country.
The opponents of immigration reform are the same opponents of civil rights for gay people. We share a common enemy. The political forces that seek to criminalize undocumented workers are the same bigots who work against the basic rights of gay and lesbian people.
We are especially concerned about the undocumented partners of gay and lesbian US citizens. Because the US will not recognize same sex marriages gay and lesbian people are not eligible for immigration on the basis of our relationships. Non-citizen heterosexual spouses, on the other hand, can immigrate here easily and legally.
Our non-citizen partners can be deported -- which causes financial hardship and grievous suffering, especially for gay couples with children.
We need to protect our families. We need to send the message that we are a country of fairness, equality and justice. We need immigration reform and we need it now.
posted by Carlos T Mock at 8:21 AM
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