Freedom to Marry
On August 29, Henry Velandia and Josh Vandiver were married in Montville, Connecticut. But unlike most newlyweds, Henry & Josh aren't spending the fall sending out thank you cards or taking the honeymoon of their dreams.
Instead, Henry and Josh are fighting to save their marriage. Because of the so-called “Defense of Marriage Act” (DOMA), passed by Congress in 1996, the federal government does not honor same-sex couple’s marriages, which means that Henry – who was born in Venezuela and moved to the U.S. in 2002 – may soon face deportation. If Henry and Josh were not a same-sex couple, Josh would easily be able to sponsor Henry for a visa or citizenship.
Henry and Josh are now considering leaving the U.S. to keep their family together, and they’re not alone. Each day, DOMA tears apart thousands of bi-national families who have been separated or are facing deportation. DOMA excludes legally married same-sex couples from the more than a thousand federal responsibilities and protections of marriage, including Social Security survivor benefits, fair treatment by the IRS, and the ability to sponsor a spouse for a visa or citizenship.
Loving, committed, and legally married couples like Henry and Josh shouldn't have to fight against government-sanctioned discrimination to be together.
Tell President Obama to end the deportations and protect married couples like Henry and Josh by fulfilling his pledge to repeal DOMA.
Instead, Henry and Josh are fighting to save their marriage. Because of the so-called “Defense of Marriage Act” (DOMA), passed by Congress in 1996, the federal government does not honor same-sex couple’s marriages, which means that Henry – who was born in Venezuela and moved to the U.S. in 2002 – may soon face deportation. If Henry and Josh were not a same-sex couple, Josh would easily be able to sponsor Henry for a visa or citizenship.
Henry and Josh are now considering leaving the U.S. to keep their family together, and they’re not alone. Each day, DOMA tears apart thousands of bi-national families who have been separated or are facing deportation. DOMA excludes legally married same-sex couples from the more than a thousand federal responsibilities and protections of marriage, including Social Security survivor benefits, fair treatment by the IRS, and the ability to sponsor a spouse for a visa or citizenship.
Loving, committed, and legally married couples like Henry and Josh shouldn't have to fight against government-sanctioned discrimination to be together.
Tell President Obama to end the deportations and protect married couples like Henry and Josh by fulfilling his pledge to repeal DOMA.
Petition Text-
It's time to repeal the so-called Defense of Marriage Act
Greetings,
Honorable President Obama,
I am writing to urge you to help married couples like Henry Velandia and Josh Vandiver stay in the U.S. by fulfilling your pledge to repeal the so-called Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA.)
Henry and Josh were married in Montville, Connecticut on August 29. But unlike most newlyweds, Henry & Josh aren't spending the fall sending out thank you cards or taking the honeymoon of their dreams.
Instead, Henry and Josh are fighting to save their marriage. Henry – who was born in Venezuela and moved to the U.S. in 2002 – may soon face deportation.
Henry and Josh are now considering leaving the U.S. to keep their family together, and they’re not alone. Each day, DOMA tears apart thousands of bi-national families who have been separated or are facing deportation. DOMA excludes legally married same-sex couples from the more than a thousand federal responsibilities and protections of marriage, including Social Security survivor benefits, fair treatment by the IRS, and the ability to sponsor a spouse for a visa or citizenship.
During your campaign, you said:
“I support the complete repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) – a position I have held since before arriving in the U.S. Senate. While some say we should repeal only part of the law, I believe we should get rid of that statute altogether. Federal law should not discriminate in any way against gay and lesbian couples, which is precisely what DOMA does.”
Please fulfill your campaign promise, Mr. President, and bring an to end this discriminatory policy, which is harming American families and forcing couples like Henry and Josh to consider leaving the U.S.
Sincerely,
-end-
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