[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 54 (Thursday, April 3, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E677]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      LESBIAN AND GAY IMMIGRATION RIGHTS TASK FORCE ANNUAL MEETING

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 3, 2003

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Lesbian and 
Gay Immigration Rights Task Force, which holds its Annual Meeting this 
weekend in Washington, DC. The LGIRTF advocates for the rights of HIV 
positive immigrants, persons seeking asylum because of sexual 
orientation, and bi-national couples.
  The Lesbian and Gay Immigration Rights Task Force grew out of a small 
group of Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund attorneys, who, in 
1993, held a meeting at the New York City Lesbian and Gay Community 
Services Center. Over 50 persons attended and expressed interest in 
forming a group to address immigration issues affecting lesbians and 
gays.
  In December 1994, the LGIRTF was incorporated in New York City. The 
LGIRTF began publishing The Status Report the following year. 
Implementation of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant 
Responsibility Act of 1996 in 1997 increased the need for Gay and 
Lesbian specific immigration services. By 1998 the LGIRTF ceased being 
an all-volunteer organization and in 1999 the LGIRTF hired its first 
attorney. The LGIRTF has grown from one chapter to an international 
organization with 19 chapters in the United States, including 
Washington, DC and Europe.
  We, who live in our Nation's Capital and are taxed without 
representation, feel a special affinity to any other group that is 
denied the full rights and privileges, which most United States 
citizens enjoy. While any straight married couple may petition for 
permanent residence for a spouse and his or her children, Lesbians and 
Gays cannot petition for pen-nanent residence for their life-partners.
  I remind the House that we have the ability to correct these 
inequities: passage of the ``No Taxation Without Representation Act'' 
and the ``Permanent Partners Immigration Act.''
  I ask this House to join with me in welcoming the members of the 
Lesbian and Gay Immigration Rights Task Force to Washington, DC.

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