Wednesday February 27, 2013, 9:23 am
Mary and Sara want the same things we all do: a chance to live with the person they love, to raise their son together.

But their family could soon be torn apart. You see, Sara is now living in the U.S. on a student visa. Because Sara and Mary’s relationship is not recognized under the law, Sara will depend on finding an employer who can sponsor her visa … or be forced to leave the country.

For some of us, it’s unimaginable. But for bi-national LGBT couples living in the U.S. like Mary and Sara, this is reality.

This month, members of Congress are working on new, comprehensive immigration reform legislation. In recent weeks, President Obama has called for reforms to include protections for LGBT couples and their families – but there's no guaruntee that protections will be included in the legislation that Congress is drafting.

Right now, our staff is hard at work on Capitol Hill, reaching out to key lawmakers and making the case for comprehensive immigration reforms that include LGBT families. But we need your help – here are two things you can do NOW to make a difference:

1) Speak out! Tell your members of congress that immigration reform must consider the needs of all families. It’s not fair that families like Mary and Sara's face the threat of being torn apart, just because their relationship isn’t recognized by the law. Sign the petition and add your voice now.

2) Support Family Equality Council. Our ability to advocate for comprehensive immigration reform, and dozens of other issues affecting families with parents who are LGBT, depends on generous supporters like you. By making a gift to Family Equality Council today, you’ll make an investment in equality for all families. Donate.

There are 36,000 bi-national LGBT couples living in the U.S. today. Many of these families are forced to make impossible choices: should they live apart and split up their families … or leave their communities, schools and jobs behind to start a new life outside of the U.S.?

Even worse, about half of these couples have children, which means that innocent children are suffering because of unfair and archaic laws.

Will you stand with us? Speak out by signing the petition and making a gift today.

Emily, Sharon, & SadieOnward,

Emily Hecht-McGowan
Director of Public Policy

Wednesday February 27, 2013, 9:28 am
Noted and message sent, thanks.

Wednesday February 27, 2013, 9:36 am
signed & noted, thnx.

Wednesday February 27, 2013, 11:19 am
You cannot currently send a star to Sue because you have done so within the last day.

Wednesday February 27, 2013, 12:08 pm
Signed.

Wednesday February 27, 2013, 12:18 pm
You cannot currently send a star to Sara because you have done so within the last day.

Wednesday February 27, 2013, 1:30 pm
S and N.

Wednesday February 27, 2013, 1:51 pm
You cannot currently send a star to Mitchell because you have done so within the last day.

Wednesday February 27, 2013, 2:14 pm
If LGBT couples are recognised legally then surely you would have to recognise it in immigration laws Does not make sense They are splitting hairs

noted Thanks US only

Wednesday February 27, 2013, 2:19 pm
Thanks JL. Signed and noted.

Wednesday February 27, 2013, 3:04 pm
Good points Carol! You cannot currently send a star to Carol because you have done so within the last day.
You are welcome Carol and Joe.
You cannot currently send a star to Joe because you have done so within the last day.

Wednesday February 27, 2013, 4:46 pm
Noted, signed, twittered and google shared. Thanks J.L.

Wednesday February 27, 2013, 4:47 pm
You are welcome Tamara and thanks for spreading the word! You cannot currently send a star to Tamara because you have done so within the last day.

Wednesday February 27, 2013, 5:11 pm
You are welcome Terry! Thank you for posting that wonderful montage with music (turn your speakers on to watch--and have tissues handy!) You cannot currently send a star toTerry because you have done so within the last day.

Wednesday February 27, 2013, 10:01 pm
Thanks J.L. for the post and the link. Message signed and sent. Post noted.
"Thank you for standing with us to ensure LGBT couples and families are included in immigration reform."

Wednesday February 27, 2013, 10:05 pm
noted and signed :)

Wednesday February 27, 2013, 10:36 pm
N&S

Thursday February 28, 2013, 7:02 am
You are welcome John.
You cannot currently send a star to John because you have done so within the last day.
You cannot currently send a star to Vicky because you have done so within the last day.
You cannot currently send a star to Giana because you have done so within the last day.

Thursday February 28, 2013, 8:19 am
Done! Thanks, JL.

Thursday February 28, 2013, 9:06 am
Signed, thanks JL. I hate putting labels on people (we are all ONE after all) but I suppose this is necessary for the yahoos in Congress.

Thursday February 28, 2013, 1:08 pm
Signed

Thursday February 28, 2013, 1:14 pm
You cannot currently send a star to Winn because you have done so within the last day.

Thursday February 28, 2013, 1:43 pm
Done.

Thursday February 28, 2013, 2:03 pm
You cannot currently send a star to Beth because you have done so within the last day.

Thursday February 28, 2013, 3:58 pm
Previously signed. Noted. Thank you, J.L.

Thursday February 28, 2013, 4:00 pm
Signed

Thursday February 28, 2013, 4:28 pm
Thanks

Thursday February 28, 2013, 5:24 pm
You are welcome Lois and Birgit

Thursday February 28, 2013, 11:03 pm
signed thank you

Friday March 1, 2013, 8:27 am
You are welcome Christina. You cannot currently send a star to Christina because you have done so within the last day.

Friday March 1, 2013, 5:18 pm
previously signed.

Friday March 15, 2013, 3:22 pm
Noted and thanks for the info! :)

Friday March 15, 2013, 3:41 pm
You are welcome Hannah

Sunday March 17, 2013, 3:14 pm
I would like to sign and show my support but am not allowed as I m not citizen. Let me show my support here, instead. This issue actually is international one, it s human rights. anyway, if these is something I can contribute, I shall definitely do it.