File Photo American GLBT rights groups have joined forces to condemn gay couples being left out of a bill that would offer US citizenship to immigrants living in the country before 2012. Senator Patrick Leahy tried to have same-sex couples included, but could not get enough support, even from fellow democrats, who were worried the move would jeopardise the overall reform. “We are disappointed that certain senators threatened the entire immigration reform bill simply because it affords 28,500 same-sex binational couples equal immigration rights. At the same time, we thank Senator Leahy for standing up for these families,” a joint statement from the National Center for Lesbian Rights, GLAAD, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, United We Dream and Queer Undocumented Immigrant Project, Lambda Legal, Equality Federation and the National Center for Transgender Equality reads. “It is unconscionable that lawmakers committed to equality and common sense, humane immigration policy were forced to make a false choice between protecting the rights of same-sex binational couples and keeping a tenuous coalition together. This take-it-or-leave-it stance with regard to same-sex binational couples is not helpful when we all share the same goal of passing comprehensive immigration reform that provides a path to citizenship.” They continue: “'We desperately need to reform our broken immigration system immediately because it dehumanizes, scapegoats and vilifies all immigrants, including LGBT immigrants.”
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Thursday, 23rd May 2013 - 9:56am