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www.ambiente.us JUNE| JUNIO 2010
Faith Leaders Reject Demands
to Exclude Gay Families From Immigration Reform
Leaders of Multiple Denominations Respond to Anti-Gay D.C. Lobby Effort
Washington, DC - Faith leaders joined the Immigration Equality Action Fund today in
rejecting calls to exclude lesbian and gay families from immigration reform legislation.
Clergy and leaders from numerous denominations responded forcefully to a
Washington, D.C. press event today, coordinated by a coalition of right-wing
evangelical groups, in which participants called on Congress to pass a
comprehensive immigration reform bill, but to exclude the Uniting American Families
Act (UAFA), which would allow lesbian and gay Americans to sponsor their foreign-born
partners for residency. Senate leaders endorsed inclusion of UAFA in future
immigration reform legislation earlier this year, as part of a framework for a
comprehensive bill.
Today, faith leaders strongly disagreed with conservative activists who are urging
Congress to remove that provision from future legislation.
“Just as Jesus did not set any preconditions on identifying himself with, and loving, the
sojourner, so too does he call all who claim to follow him to love and welcome the
sojourner without moral preconditions,” said Bill Mefford, Director of Civil and Human
Rights for the General Board of Church and Society with The United Methodist Church.
“To demand the right to prophetically challenge the nation to incorporate hospitality into
our immigration policy, but then to work to
Faith Leaders Reject Demands
to Exclude Gay Families From Immigration Reform
Leaders of Multiple Denominations Respond to Anti-Gay D.C. Lobby Effort
Washington, DC - Faith leaders joined the Immigration Equality Action Fund today in
rejecting calls to exclude lesbian and gay families from immigration reform legislation.
Clergy and leaders from numerous denominations responded forcefully to a
Washington, D.C. press event today, coordinated by a coalition of right-wing
evangelical groups, in which participants called on Congress to pass a
comprehensive immigration reform bill, but to exclude the Uniting American Families
Act (UAFA), which would allow lesbian and gay Americans to sponsor their foreign-born
partners for residency. Senate leaders endorsed inclusion of UAFA in future
immigration reform legislation earlier this year, as part of a framework for a
comprehensive bill.
Today, faith leaders strongly disagreed with conservative activists who are urging
Congress to remove that provision from future legislation.
“Just as Jesus did not set any preconditions on identifying himself with, and loving, the
sojourner, so too does he call all who claim to follow him to love and welcome the
sojourner without moral preconditions,” said Bill Mefford, Director of Civil and Human
Rights for the General Board of Church and Society with The United Methodist Church.
“To demand the right to prophetically challenge the nation to incorporate hospitality into
our immigration policy, but then to work to
exclude some people based on their sexual orientation, is to lose the moral basis for making
that prophetic challenge. We want immigration reform that is just and humane, and that is truly
comprehensive and truly moral.”
Reverend Madison T. Shockley, Pastor with the Pilgrim United Church of Christ in Carlsbad,
California, also called for passage of a fully inclusive bill “that is a true reflection of the promise
of America and as a land of freedom and opportunity for men and women of every nation, every
race and every creed.” Comprehensive reform, Rev. Shockley said, “should . . . include the
Uniting American Families Act, ending immigration discrimination against lesbian and gay
Americans.”
In May, Congressman Luis Gutierrez, a key leader on immigration issues in Congress, said
he, too, believes immigration reform must include lesbian and gay families, telling The
Chicago Tribune that, “We need to speak more clearly and more articulately and more
frequently that the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, and same-sex couples
and their binational relationships, are part of families.”
The Immigration Equality Action Fund, which advocates on behalf of the more than 36,000
LGBT binational families facing separation or exile because of discriminatory immigration
laws, hailed today’s statements.
“Today, faith leaders from across denominations have come together to call on their
congregations to truly ‘love thy neighbor as thyself,’” said Rachel B. Tiven, the group’s executive
director. “As many as 18,000 children are being raised by loving LGBT binational families. It is
inexcusable that some activists would tear those children away from their families, and
threaten to undermine real, positive reform simply to make a divisive political point. The only
true pro-family bill is one that keeps all families together.”
that prophetic challenge. We want immigration reform that is just and humane, and that is truly
comprehensive and truly moral.”
Reverend Madison T. Shockley, Pastor with the Pilgrim United Church of Christ in Carlsbad,
California, also called for passage of a fully inclusive bill “that is a true reflection of the promise
of America and as a land of freedom and opportunity for men and women of every nation, every
race and every creed.” Comprehensive reform, Rev. Shockley said, “should . . . include the
Uniting American Families Act, ending immigration discrimination against lesbian and gay
Americans.”
In May, Congressman Luis Gutierrez, a key leader on immigration issues in Congress, said
he, too, believes immigration reform must include lesbian and gay families, telling The
Chicago Tribune that, “We need to speak more clearly and more articulately and more
frequently that the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, and same-sex couples
and their binational relationships, are part of families.”
The Immigration Equality Action Fund, which advocates on behalf of the more than 36,000
LGBT binational families facing separation or exile because of discriminatory immigration
laws, hailed today’s statements.
“Today, faith leaders from across denominations have come together to call on their
congregations to truly ‘love thy neighbor as thyself,’” said Rachel B. Tiven, the group’s executive
director. “As many as 18,000 children are being raised by loving LGBT binational families. It is
inexcusable that some activists would tear those children away from their families, and
threaten to undermine real, positive reform simply to make a divisive political point. The only
true pro-family bill is one that keeps all families together.”
The Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) has been endorsed by numerous faith
organizations, including African American Ministers in Action (a project of People for
the American Way); Call to Action; Catholics for Equality; Church World Service,
Immigration and Refugee Program; Clergy United; The Episcopal Church; Friends
Committee on National Legislation; Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society; Religious
Action Center of Reform Judaism; Standing on the Side of Love; the United
Methodist Church; and the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations.
For more information, and a full list of endorsing organizations,
visit www.immigrationequalityactionfund.org.
# # #
Immigration Equality Action Fund advocates on Capitol Hill for equality for lesbian,
gay, bisexual, transgender and HIV-positive immigrants and their families. To end
discrimination in U.S. immigration law, Immigration Equality Action Fund works to
pass the Uniting American Families Act and LGBT-inclusive Comprehensive
Immigration Reform. The Action Fund lobbies legislators and other policy makers,
builds coalitions, and empowers LGBT immigrant families around the country to
fight for change.
Copyright © AMBIENTE MAGAZINE. Do not reproduce without citing this source
organizations, including African American Ministers in Action (a project of People for
the American Way); Call to Action; Catholics for Equality; Church World Service,
Immigration and Refugee Program; Clergy United; The Episcopal Church; Friends
Committee on National Legislation; Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society; Religious
Action Center of Reform Judaism; Standing on the Side of Love; the United
Methodist Church; and the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations.
For more information, and a full list of endorsing organizations,
visit www.immigrationequalityactionfund.org.
# # #
Immigration Equality Action Fund advocates on Capitol Hill for equality for lesbian,
gay, bisexual, transgender and HIV-positive immigrants and their families. To end
discrimination in U.S. immigration law, Immigration Equality Action Fund works to
pass the Uniting American Families Act and LGBT-inclusive Comprehensive
Immigration Reform. The Action Fund lobbies legislators and other policy makers,
builds coalitions, and empowers LGBT immigrant families around the country to
fight for change.
Copyright © AMBIENTE MAGAZINE. Do not reproduce without citing this source