Before she fell in love with Hollender, the 30-year-old Fortner knew about the restrictive visa possibilities, but never thought it would affect her directly. “I was just hoping that be 2009 that it would be resolved,” she says, “but I guess not…” The separation has been difficult to endure, but the couple has made it so far: “That hasn’t stopped either of us from crossing oceans for our love.” Nor has it deterred her from aligning family, friends and friends of the GLBT community to help support efforts to change U.S. immigration policies dealing with same-sex couples. Each of them makes it a point to alert their social circles about legislation they find discriminatory. Luckily, they’re not alone.

Great news for Fortner, who says legally residing with Hollender will help her once again believe in the American dream. “I am only trying to have the same right as my neighbors if they were in my predicament,” she says. “I waited a lifetime for this type of love. I want to share my life with Kelly for more than a few moments at a time.” Read Story, Local singer Shannon Fortner is separated from her partner thanks to U.S. policy toward same-sex couples, but new legislation might allow the two to live together year-round by Cooper Levey-Baker and and Anthony Paull for Creative Loafing

(Photo, personal; Creative Loafing)

Tags: USA, United Kingdom