Out 4 Immigration: A New Advocate for Gay, Lesbian, Transgender and HIV-positive Immigrants and Their American Partners
Out 4 Immigration is a new organization focused on providing empowerment, education, information, and awareness about the immigration issues faced by the LGBT and HIV-positive community.
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (PRWEB) June 9, 2006
The debate on immigration continues to dominate the nation’s attention and that of lawmakers in Washington and in state governments across America, but two immigrant groups have been left out of the discussion--those who are lesbian, gay, and transgender and those who are HIV-positive. American citizens in same-sex bi-national relationships are denied the right to sponsor their partner for a green card under current U. S. immigration law. HIV-positive immigrants continue to be prohibited entry to the U. S.--a law that has been in effect since President Reagan’s administration.
Out 4 Immigration is a new organization focused on providing empowerment, education, information, and awareness about the immigration issues faced by the LGBT and HIV-positive community. As these groups are limited under current U. S. immigration law in their options to keep their families together, Out 4 Immigration aims to make the American public aware of these conditions and bring the issue into the current national immigration debate. Out 4 Immigration also educates LGBT and HIV-positive immigrants and their partners about the unique challenges created by the law so they may better understand their rights and responsibilities and effectively respond to current legal requirements.
Bi-national same-sex couples, where one partner is a U. S. citizen and the other is not, are considered “legal strangers” under current U. S. immigration law. Many of these bi-national couples face extremely difficult choices when the non-U. S. partner’s visa runs out because the LGBT U. S. citizen cannot sponsor their partner for a green card. Some have chosen to move to a foreign country that will legally recognize their relationship; others have been forced to live apart.
Out 4 Immigration founder Belinda Ryan has first-hand experience as an immigrant from Britain. After vacationing in the U. K. with her partner Wendy, Ryan was detained and refused entry to her return flight home due to a glitch in her visa paperwork. It took her two weeks before she could rejoin her partner in California.
"As LGBT immigrants we are often too afraid of repercussions to speak out. Our American partners feel helpless as they cannot take any legal action to protect their families. We have been excluded from the immigration debate and we are invisible in the community,” Ryan said.
Out 4 Immigration is powered by people actually affected by immigration discrimination. The organization will advocate on behalf of those who have not been included in the current immigration debate among our state and national lawmakers. The organization will be headquartered in San Francisco, California.
Launch Party Benefit at Café Flore
To celebrate its launch, Out 4 Immigration will be hosting a benefit reception at Café Flore (located at 2298 Market at Noe Street) in San Francisco on Thursday, June 22 from 9 p. m. to midnight.
The extraordinary Irene Soderberg will be headlining the event with her brassy mix of wit and song. San Francisco’s own MC Trauma Flintstone will showcase her numbers and the evening will feature a lively auction and a raffle.
Honorary hosts for the event include San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, U. S. Congresswoman Hilda Solis, California State Senator Liz Figueroa, California State Assemblyman Mark Leno, San Francisco Supervisor Bevan Dufty, and immigration attorney Sheila Quinlan. They are proud to take a role in recognizing and celebrating the launch of this worthwhile organization.
A $10 donation is requested at the door, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds. Limited preferred seating will be offered with a $50 donation. Please contact Gary Virginia at (415) 626-5004 or by email at MrSF96 at aol. com to check for availability.
OUT 4 IMMIGRATION provides accurate information to educate the community and the general public about the U. S. immigration system and the impact it has on Lesbian, Gay, Transgender, Bisexual, and HIV+ people. For more information, please visit: http://www. out4immigration. org (http://www. out4immigration. org).
Press contacts:
Belinda Ryan, President, Out 4 Immigration
408-499-0342
Out4immigration at gmail. com
Marina DiCerbo, Media Relations
415-692-4481
Marina. dicerbo at gmail. com
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