THE BI-NAT-VISA SEE NEW ARTICLE UPDATED 3/28/10 http://gayusathemovie.com ; and http://oblogdeeoblogda.wordpress.com/2011/12/06/lgbt-foreign-policy-applauded-and-human-rights-should-start-at-home-with-fiance-visas-and-greencards-for-same-sex-couples/

While we wait for immigration equality under the US Immigration and Naturalization Act -to sponsor our foreign-born spouses, we endure unconscionable and inhumane situations on a day to day, hour by hour basis.

Our partners are persecuted at our airports by the profiling of ICE officials and arbitrarily turned away, despite having visas; our relationships are denied through our inability to live together in the US, or we live in fear, hiding or exile. We lose jobs, we lose homes, we lose our time with extended family, we give up our pensions. We are detained and deported.

Gay and lesbian (same-sex) foreign fiances and spouses cannot enter the USA and stay here under the family petition for a green card, in the same way as heterosexual couples can.

This has resulted in detention of spouses, exile of Americans, having to choose between their beloved and their country, and also unimaginable separations and expense.

Our exiles and exiles-to-be cannot wait for the impending immigration reform battle, for UAFA to garnish more co-sponsors before accomplishing some rights under the immigration law.

There is every reason for interim measures to serve the same-sex spouse community as DOMA is heading toward a repeal in the Congress, which in essence could be years long.

Recently Immigration Equality posted this statement on their BLOG when referring to Immigration reform: "The Senate immigration reform bill will be followed by a House bill, too. In-between, there will be countless steps, challenges and opportunities that must be addressed. As we have seen in the current healthcare debate, legislation does not move easily, or without hard work. Immigration reform will be similar: It is imperative that we build grassroots support for our families, Congressional support for UAFA and broad public support for fair immigration policies."

So just in case UAFA becomes the public option of immigration reform, in case DOMA's repeal takes another 8 years...

I believe that this makes the argument for a stop gap measure to help keep our families together in the USA. We want a SPECIAL VISA.

If you would like to read about the hardship suffered that necessitates such a VISA, please visit, http://lezgetreal.com/?p=24121

and http://gayusathemovie.com