Living in fear...
Living Separated...
Or living in exile.
All of us are living very UN-American lives.
Americans take it for granted that if they fall in
love with a foreigner, they will be able to sponsor
their partner for residency in the United States.
But there is no such option for same-sex couples.
It simply does not matter how long a couple has
been together, how devoted they are to each other
or even if they are legally married in
Massachusetts, California (before Prop 8) or a
country that allows it; if the partners are the
same sex, their relationship is irrelevant in the
American immigration system. A matter of fact, if
our marriages become known to an immigration
official, it would be evidence enough (to them) of
a reason to want to stay permanently in the U.S.
and would be an automatic ground to deny our
spouses entry, or even a visa in the future.
Will YOU keep it going?
Our goal is to collect as many stories and "faces"
as possible, but iIf you don't feel comfortable
showing your face for various reason, trust us, we
understand. Don't let that stop you from submitting
your story. Photos are important in our effort to
put a face to the hardship that America has forced
upon us, but so is your story. It's a tragedy in
and of itself that fellow Americans have to resort
to extremes when protecting their families'
identity, but if you feel the need to obscure your
photo before you submit your story, try something
like this.