Our Stories, in the News

By Steve Ralls on 09/09/2010 @ 10:19 AM

In case you missed it: We’re making headlines!

Immigration Equality’s communications team has been hard at work, continuing to ensure that our families’ voices are heard, and that our stories are told. This week, we’re making headlines again, with compelling stories about binational families . . . updates on our legislative work . . . and more coverage highlighting the struggles so many LGBT immigrants, and their loved ones, face under the current immigration system.

If you haven’t read it yet, be sure to start with this amazing profile – by The Advocate’s Andrew Harmon – of Immigration Equality spokescouple Roi Whaley and Aurelio Tolentino. Roi and Aurelio, who have been separated because of discriminatory immigration laws, are also battling another enemy: Roi’s stage III lung cancer. The couple turned to Immigration Equality’s legal team for help in their fight to be reunited, and within days of first telling their story in the media, we heard from Roi’s Congressman – Gene Taylor of Mississippi – who has indicated he will step in and help bring Roi and Aurelio back together.

You can also read more about Roi and Aurelio at The HuffingtonPost.

This morning’s Bay Area Reporter also tells the story of a binational couple forced into exile. Jerry Abrams and his Pakistani partner, Miel, have been forced to leave the United States, and are unable to remain together in either partner’s home country. Now living in South Africa, Jerry (a retired IBM employee) is now focusing his energy on helping the victims of the devastating floods in Pakistan. "There's still thousands of people in relief camps that are still struggling to find food," Abrams said.

You can read Jerry and Miel’s story online here.

And also be sure to check out more coverage from the Reporter about the struggles LGBT asylum seekers often face when seeking refuge in the United States. The paper’s coverage includes an interview with Ann Lewis, of the New York office of Ropes and Gray. Just this year, the firm was awarded a Safe Haven Award for its work on behalf of Immigration Equality pro bono clients.

Then, check back here for another, major news story – in one of the country’s top newspapers – coming soon.

With your help, we’re keeping our stories on the front pages, and at the forefront of the national conversation.

For a complete list of recent news articles, visit our online newsroom, here.