Happy Holidays

By Steve Ralls on 12/23/2010 @ 01:11 PM

All of us at Immigration Equality and the Immigration Equality Action Fund want to wish our clients, donors, allies and families a wonderful holiday season.

With your help, 2009 has seen some of the most significant progress for our families ever. The HIV Travel and Immigration Ban came to an official end. First the first time, LGBT binational families were included in the Senate's comprehensive immigration reform measure. A total of 162 Members of Congress - the most in history - are now co-sponsors of the Uniting American Families Act. And 93 - and counting - LGBT asylum seekers won safe haven in the United States this year, thanks to Immigration Equality's legal team.

Even with these steps forward, however, we know there are still too many families facing separation and too many already forced into exile. Just this week, we were reminded of the painful consequences of our country's discrimination, when Richard Dennis saw his family torn apart as his partner was deported just one week before the holiday.

Richard's story - and the stories of all the families we hear from every day - have us more determined than ever to win.

Thank you for your support, commitment and advocacy. Your families are all truly part of the Immigration Equality family . . . not just during the holidays, but every day of the year.