I would have posted yesterday the great news that legislation to allow lesbian and gay U.S. citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their non-U.S. citizen partners has been introduced again! See full press release from Immigration Equality. How gratifying to see this issue back on the agenda. Since 2000, when this bill (its original incarnation was Permanent Partners Immigration Act, which my law partner, Noemi Malsiah, and I helped draft) was first introduced, we have longed for the day when the extreme homophobes in the Republican party did not control House and Senate. This re-introduction is a historical milestone for all of us, but it is still only one more step toward the goal. For more information about how you can get involved, see Immigration Equality's website.

Legislation was introduced in Congress Tuesday that would allow Americans in a same-sex relationship to sponsor their "permanent partners" for legal residency in the United States, a right currently afforded only to opposite-sex couples under immigration law.
The Uniting American Families Act was introduced in the House by Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) (pictured) and in the Senate by Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT). Nadler and Leahy are each chairs of the Judiciary Committee in their respective house.
"Our bill recognizes that American families come in all shapes and sizes," said Nadler.
"Our laws should work to keep loving families together and not tear them apart. This is a matter of basic fairness and compassion. I am proud to work with Senator Leahy on this issue. We simply ask that gay and lesbian Americans in loving, committed relationships receive the same treatment as everyone else," he said. (365gay.com)