"This is about recognizing the humanity in each and all of us, not just LGBT binational couples, not just LGBT Dreamers, but the entire community."
Over 267,000 people in this country identify as LGBT and undocumented. A new website, out4citizenship.org, was launched this week to uplift the voices of the activists who have been living in "dual shadows" and are coming out for immigration reform that includes a pathway to citizenship for all 11 million Americans-in-waiting.
Out4Citizenship highlights the stories of LGBT undocumented immigrants in this country as well as "the challenges this community faces every day – whether it's discrimination in employment or separation from partners because of their legal status and laws that discriminate against same-sex couples."
See for yourself in this video with LGBT undocumented activist Jose Antonio Vargas and others:
More LGBT immigration advocates are speaking out:
"I'm ALL IN for immigration reform because there is no real progress if communities within a shared struggle are left behind. I am both, queer and a child of immigrant parents. I've had to come out as both identities. We talk about and fight for our values in the same way so it's important that we don't silo ourselves into one kind of fight or one victory."
– Diana Bui, Membership & Chapter Coordinator at the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance.
What is clear is that the immigrant movement is as diverse as America itself. It is through this diversity that our movement finds strength and comes out for a comprehensive immigration reform bill that is attainable and inclusive of all those fighting for it.
Show YOUR support by taking the out4citizenship.org pledge now:
"I stand in support of immigration reform that puts 11 million Americans-in-waiting, including more than 267,000 LGBT people on the road to citizenship. I believe Congress must act now to enable LGBT undocumented immigrants to become full and equal participants in our society."