The horrors that thousands of lesbian and gay couples face are detailed in this moving political and personal story of immigration and love. As Judy and Karin’s legal battles reveal, when only one half of a gay couple is an American citizen, immigration struggles are confounded by the fact that the partners cannot legally marry in most parts of the United States. With resources that outline which organizations can help and what the challenges and the realities of this situation are, this reference reaches out to couples, their friends and family, and anyone interested in assisting by offering advice and camaraderie on this subset of the gay marriage issue. Royalties from the book, which is published in association with Immigration Equality and Out4Immigration, go to groups working to overcome immigration denial for gay couples.
Judy Rickard is a lifelong lesbian, U.S. citizen and nearly lifelong resident of California. She has worked for civil rights and LGBT rights since she single-handedly challenged the leader of anti-gay activities in her town as she was coming out in 1973. She served as a board member for an LGBT political action committee in the San Francisco South Bay Area for 15 years.
She has worked with mayors and clergy and university presidents on diversity committees and special task forces, among other civil rights activities. She has worked with political candidates and elected officials to educate them on LGBT issues and has worked to elected numerous openly-gay or supportive candidates for local, county, state and national offices.
Late in life, Judy met and fell in love with a non-U.S. citizen. That's when more fights for equal rights began...
Judy and Karin's story is not over - and their challenges are not over. In fact, writing this book and making it public may make it impossible for Judy and Karin to be together in America. But their dedication to the cause galvanized them and they want to help fix a system that discriminates against lesbians and gay men from America who fall in love with lesbians and gay men from other countries. They have met wonderful people on this journey and they are committed to help!
Words to live by:
No American should have to choose between partner and country!
No American should have to choose between family and country!
No American should have to choose between career and country!
But I have had to do all three...
Follow our story and the stories of others who have shared theirs in Torn Apart: United by Love, Divided by Law at http://tornapart.findhornpress.com
