On July 4 of 2005, a day when most Americans celebrated their unsurpassed freedoms and rights, Anton Anderssen was in Canada getting married - a right not afforded to him by U.S. federal law. Anderssen and his now-husband, Marcus, of Madison Heights, were married in Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario, because they were not free to marry anywhere in the U.S.

Now, they're facing problems with the law again and are fighting, along with many other couples and organizations, for the right to be together.
Anton and Marcus met on the internet near Valentine's Day of 2004. Marcus, a citizen of Italy, came to the states often on a travel visa to spend his vacation time from his job as a bank director with Anton. The two traveled to Las Vegas and Waikiki, took a cruise through the Caribbean and went to New England in autumn to see the foliage. On their last trip, Marcus proposed and they have since split their time between their homes in Michigan and Italy - when they're not traveling together.

Last month, however, their fairy tale-like love was torn apart as Marcus was forced to return to Italy. Currently, he is under investigation by U.S. Immigration, who have not, as of yet, decided whether or not he can return.
"Marco has a tourist visa, not a green card," Anderssen explained. "He is not allowed to live in the U.S., only pursue tourism." Read Story, "Border barriers to love Fighting for the simple right to be together" by Jessica Carreras, Between The Lines News.

(Photo: by Andrew Potter, Between The Lines News. Anton Anderssen hopes that one day his husband, Marcus will be able to return and live with him. The current immigration laws don not honor same-sex couples in any way.)

Tags: USA, Italy