Meet the Plaintiffs: Tim & Edwin

By Rachel Tiven on 09/14/2012 @ 03:15 PM

This summer, Edwin Blesch celebrated thirteen years with his husband Tim Smulian, who is from South Africa. “We're in it for the long haul,” says Edwin. “The pictures say it all: two happy old guys!” Sadly, Tim and Edwin’s happiness has an expiration date: February 7th. That’s when Tim’s temporary reprieve to stay in the U.S. ends.

Immigration Equality is fighting to extend that reprieve and to keep this couple together, permanently. We need your help.

Edwin Blesch is the namesake of our lawsuit, Blesch v. Holder, which we filed in April. We are challenging the Defense of Marriage Act on behalf of Edwin and four other Americans who can’t sponsor their husbands and wives for green cards simply because they are gay or lesbian. Watch the video to learn more about Tim and Edwin and why they joined the lawsuit.

Over the coming weeks, I will introduce you to all five of our plaintiff couples. You’ll learn more about the case and about other DOMA challenges already advancing toward the Supreme Court and what those cases mean for you. We’re closer than ever to securing a big win for your families, but we can’t get there without your support.

Our goal is to sign up 100 new monthly donors before October 13th, in honor of Tim and Edwin’s thirteenth anniversary.

Stand with Tim, Edwin, and all the plaintiffs and say: It’s time! It’s time for LGBT families to stop being deported. It’s time for people who are in exile to return home. Finally, love and reason will win. Tim and Edwin know it’s time. They’ve been waiting since 1999.

Please be the first to stand with them today.