Be Committed
By Gilbert Elizabeth on 05/27/2010 @ 05:35 PM
Throughout my travels around the world, I’ve discovered just how magical — and unexpectedly easy — it can be to fall in love. What is even more surprising, though, is just how difficult it can be for some to keep their families together. Whether you meet your soul mate in Brazil, or in your own backyard — and whether they happen to be the same gender as you, or not — should not matter. But under our country’s current immigration system, it unfortunately still does. That’s just not right.
It is time to change our immigration laws and honor the love and commitment of all of our families by making it possible for them to be together.
I hope you will join me at Immigration Equality’s Safe Haven Awards, on June 8th in New York City as we raise awareness, and funds, to end the unconscionable discrimination lesbian and gay binational families face under our current immigration system. I am proud to keynote this year’s ceremony, which also supports Immigration Equality’s critical legal services work on behalf of LGBT immigrants, asylum seekers and detainees.
This cause is personal for me. As many of you know, my own partner was detained at the U.S. border when he returned to the United States with me. No couple — and no family — should face separation or exile because of who they love. It is unacceptable that our government should do anything but work to ensure loving families remain together. Instead, it is tearing them apart.
That is why we must take action today. And it is why I am so proud to keynote this year’s event.
If you purchase a VIP ticket today, or join our host committee for the event, I’ll also be happy to present you with a signed copy of my book, Committed, about my own experience as one half of a binational couple. And I promise you an unforgettable evening of fellow travelers who are equally committed to celebrating our love, honoring our families and fixing our broken immigration system.
I know, first hand, what this fight for equality means to so many of you. I am committed to standing with you and supporting Immigration Equality’s work to end this injustice.
I hope you will join us on June 8th, and “be committed,” too.
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