F**k Your Petition

So, this morning I'm strolling through the Internet, you know, browsing, making a comment here and there, when I stumble upon the news that there is a petition circulating to allow Sesame Street's Bert and Ernie to get married. Cute, right?

Wrong; this incensed me. Incensed.Me. And not because I'm anti-Muppet, but because I don't want to waste one single iota of my life signing frivolous, cutesy petitions for felt characters to get married when there are real issues out there.

Like, say, Bradford Wells and Australian John Makk. They been partners for nineteen years, and were legally married in Massachusetts seven years ago. But, John Makk is Australian and his visa has expired and he's being forced to leave the country.

And someone wants my name on a Muppet petition?

Citing that old bigoted, hate-filled DOMA, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services denied John Makk's application for residency, even though he meets several of the criteria needed. he is the spouse, the legal spouse, of an American citizen, and he is the sole caregiver of said American citizen; he has no criminal history whatsoever and he has resided in this country, under various visas, for many year.

Too bad, so sad, you're gay, get out.

But, um, could you sign this petition for Bert and Ernie before you go?

Where's the petition for Bradford Wells and John Makk? And for countless other same-sex, bi-national couples facing deportation because they happen to reside in a backasswards country that doesn't recognize their marriage? We all giggle and coo over the idea of fucking Muppets getting married and just sit back and do nothing while a real-life couple is torn apart.

Hey GOP? Listen To "We The People"

A new poll HERE shows that American voters oppose the Defense of Marriage Act--America's Prop H8 that forbids the federal government from recognizing legally married same-sex couples. And the poll also shows that American voters oppose efforts by the House Republican leadership to intervene in court cases defending the law.

Are you listening Boehner?
Wipe away the tears and do the job that the people ask of you.

Are you listening Michelle Bachmann?
Turn down the voices in your head and pay attention.

Are you listening Newt Gingrich?
Stop planning your next adulterous affair.

Are you listening Sarah Palin?
Oh, just go away already.

Look.
And learn.

DOMA: That's Gay

Good News Monday: Immigration Equality Will Sue Over DOMA

Immigration Equality, a group that works on LGBT immigration-related issues, is planning to file a lawsuit against the Defense of Marriage Act [DOMA], challenging that the statute is unfair to married bi-national same-sex couples.

Steve Ralls, of Immigration Equality, said the lawsuit will be filed on behalf of gay Americans who are married and have their marriages recognized in their home state, but are unable to sponsor their partners for residency under current immigration law: “There’s no doubt that the administration’s new stance on DOMA has created a new window of opportunity to advocate on behalf of our families within the court system. We believe we have a good shot at winning and securing immigration rights for, at the very least, couples who are legally married in states where those marriages are valid.”

Preparation for the lawsuit comes in the wake of the announcement from President Obama last week that he will no longer defend the Defense of Marriage Act against litigation in court--now, before some of you wingnuts go all crazy, he said he wouldn't defend DOMA in court, but he is still enforcing it because it's the law.
 
Ralls hopes to have plaintiffs identified within the next three to four weeks, and the suit will follow shortly thereafter. “We believe there is a real opportunity to bring a successful challenge in federal court and win a victory for couples who are struggling to remain together under current immigration laws. We’re expanding our legal advocacy work to include a federal challenge because, as the legal experts on bi-national couples and immigration law, we believe we have the expertise to mount the strongest possible suit.”

Another footfall on the path to real equality.

source

Kirsten Gillibrand Standing up [AGAIN!] For LGBT Rights

New York Senator, Kirsten Gillibrand, in a letter to House Speaker John Boehner:

"Dear Mr. Speaker,

In a letter to you last week, the Attorney General advised that the Administration has concluded that Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is unconstitutional and therefore will cease to defend the statute in pending litigation. It is in the best interests of taxpayers and the constitution for you to refrain from appointing special counsel to defend this law. A decision to appoint special counsel would be an unnecessary cost to taxpayers, and would detract from our shared goal of cutting wasteful spending and creating jobs.

The executive branch’s responsibility to defend federal laws is not absolute, particularly in instances such as the present case, where the federal law is in direct conflict with the confines of the Constitution. At this critical economic juncture in our nation’s history, it is imperative that we as legislators do not devote resources to defending an antiquated and unconstitutional law."

Hat Tip to Joe.My.God.