Immigration Equality, the Los Angeles chapter of the national Lesbian and Gay Immigration Rights Task Force (LGIRTF), has launched a visibility and educational campaign called LOVE KNOWS NO BORDERS regarding the plight of bi-national same-sex couples. The group is mobilizing to contact any same-sex couples who are affected negatively by immigration laws.

Immigration laws particularly negatively impact bi-national couples, where one partner is a non-U.S. citizen, because there is currently no legal provision by which an American citizen can sponsor their same-sex partner for permanent residence in the United States based on their relationship. Thirteen countries (Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, Sweden, and the United Kingdom) have legal provisions, which allow gay and lesbian partners to remain together through immigration procedures.

As part of this campaign, we are asking everyone who is in a bi-national relationship to write a brief story (a few paragraphs long) describing how current immigration laws affect him or her. The idea is to assemble a packet of information to present to legislators and others to put a human face on the real-life consequences of the non-recognition of same-sex relationships. You should email your story to LoveKnowsNoBorders@yahoo.com

Another important part of the campaign, which you can participate in, is attending two upcoming events in February. On February 4 there is a benefit performance of Tim Miller's "Glory Box." This performance piece which is inspired by the artist's own bi-national relationship has received rave reviews from audiences and critics alike in New York City, San Diego and many other cities. The shows are February 4th & 5th and 11th & 12th at 8:30 PM at Highways Performance Space in Santa Monica. Tickets are $15. Bring your friends!

On February 14th, there will be a press conference and rally at the downtown I.N.S. building at 10:00 am. We'd like to get a good turn out of supporters to demonstrate before the federal agency that "Love Knows No Borders," especially on Valentine's Day. In particular, we will be raising awareness that love can take many forms, and same-sex love can also occur among people of different nationalities. The press conference will be geared towards the announcement of forthcoming legislation by a New York Congressman to end discrimination against same-sex couples in immigration by allowing U.S. citizens to sponsor their same-sex lovers for permanent residence in similar ways that straight U.S. citizens can.