The Uniting American Families Act was introduced May 8th in the U.S. House by Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) and in the Senate by Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) The bill would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act by adding “permanent partner" next to “spouse" and provide the same immigration procedures for same-sex partners as currently exist for immediate relatives of United States citizens.

COLAGE applauds the reintroduction of this bill and hopes for its swift passage. We know that families that are able to legally and easily stay together are healthier, happier environments for youth and parents alike.

One member of the COLAGE Speak OUT program, Marina Gatto commented, " As a child of LGBT parents I am told everyday that my family and I are second class citizens and that we are unequal in the eyes of the law. Since my parents are a bi-national couple I am a legal stranger to one of my moms, and they are legal strangers to each other. My moms do not even have the right to claim each others bodies. I think it is important that we as a community demand and expect nothing less than full equality for all people and all families. This bill deserves immediate attention and support as it will help to gain much needed equality for children like me and families like mine."

You can learn more about the bill and efforts to support its passage on the Immigration Equality website.