in which I am politically engagée for about five seconds
I guess I would have realized this if I'd ever thought about it, but I never had: legalization of gay marriage at the state level is irrelevant to the question of deportation. A story from Reuters:
Rita Boyadjian wishes she were in a better mood to celebrate the weddings of fellow gay friends after California began legally marrying same-sex couples last month.
But her partner of six years is a German woman whose U.S. visa runs out soon. Even if they were to legally marry in California, her partner could not stay in the United States because the federal government does not recognize same-sex marriage for immigration purposes.
This month the couple and their nine-month-old baby will move to Germany so they can stay together.
"It's a little bittersweet, I have to be honest," said Boyadjian, 38, "I am very happy for my friends and I do know a lot of people who are getting married this summer ... but I am sad that while the celebrations are going on, I have to leave."
So ... huh. The debate over whether to do gay marriage at the federal or state level isn't just a strategic one.
(the story
Rita Boyadjian wishes she were in a better mood to celebrate the weddings of fellow gay friends after California began legally marrying same-sex couples last month.
But her partner of six years is a German woman whose U.S. visa runs out soon. Even if they were to legally marry in California, her partner could not stay in the United States because the federal government does not recognize same-sex marriage for immigration purposes.
This month the couple and their nine-month-old baby will move to Germany so they can stay together.
"It's a little bittersweet, I have to be honest," said Boyadjian, 38, "I am very happy for my friends and I do know a lot of people who are getting married this summer ... but I am sad that while the celebrations are going on, I have to leave."
So ... huh. The debate over whether to do gay marriage at the federal or state level isn't just a strategic one.
(the story