‘Eat Pray Love’ Author to Lobby for Gay Immigrants:
The author of the runaway best-seller “Eat Pray Love,” whose foreign-born lover was barred from permanently living with her in the U.S., will go to Capitol Hill next month to lobby for changing immigration laws to allow gays and lesbians to sponsor their partners from other countries.
Elizabeth Gilbert, whose memoir was made into a film starring Julia Roberts that opens today, will announce today that she will join gay rights activists to push for passage of the Uniting American Families Act.
The measure would allow lesbian and gay Americans to sponsor their permanent partners for legal status under the immigration principle of “family unification.” Under current law, only partners who are married to American citizens may apply for permanent residency.
More on this anon, but I really need to get back to my dissertation.
FROM THE COMMENTS: At least one reader, The_ Livewire picked up on one of the reasons I posted on this, “Kudos for her lobbying congress, rather than bypassing the people on this.” Exactly, the elected legislature is where such issues should be resolved. Let’s hope her lobbying is effective and the bill clears Congress — and is signed by the president.
“will go to Capitol Hill next month to lobby for changing immigration laws to allow gays and lesbians to sponsor their partners from other countries.”
Kudos for her lobbying congress, rather than bypassing the people on this.
DItto that, Livewire.
My respect for her has risen because of this. Unlike you, although she made interesting observations about marriage – to me it felt like they were only valid if they made a case for her own personal choices.
I respect Elizabeth Gilbert’s position on this. I hope Republicans can sponsor this bill after the hearings and adjustments on it as it seems the Democrats have already sponsored it. The Democrats better stay honest on this and keep it bipartisan.
Lets just hope Republicans add some amendments to the bill to prevent illegal aliens and other criminals from abusing it. Of those international gay couples, illegal aliens shouldn’t be the ones getting free passes.
That’s The_Livewire.
Several Bothans died to get that underscore in the right place. 😉
Fixed. 🙂
I thought Bush signed something about that into law in 2008. I’m confrused.
Does she use “The Road Warrior” in her lobbying?