Around the world, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender families face widespread discrimination. Most governments do not offer legal recognition for same-sex relationships. In addition, bi-national GLBT couples in many countries must cope with immigration laws that fail to recognize their families.
Immigration
In the United
States, out of 1 million green
cards or immigrant visas,
approximately 75 percent are
issued to family members of U.S.
citizens and permanent
residents. However, the current
definition of "family" in U.S.
immigration law does not include
same-sex partners. Therefore,
thousands of same-sex couples
are separated or live in
constant fear of being stopped
by officials who demand to see
documentation and threaten
detention. In some cases,
same-sex partners face
prosecution by the Immigration
and Naturalization Service –
including hefty fines and
deportations. U.S. citizens are
sometimes left with no other
choice but to emigrate with
their partners to a country with
more fair-minded immigration
laws.
The Human Rights Campaign is working with its allies in Congress to amend current immigration law to cover same-sex relationships.
If you are in a same-sex relationship and you or your partner is facing deportation, contact Immigration Equality for help.
International Law
Many countries
grant same-sex couples greater
rights, benefits and protections
than those available to GLBT
families in the United States.
In 2001, the Netherlands became
the first country to extend
marriage rights to same-sex
couples. Since then, marriage
equality has become the law in
Belgium, Canada, Spain and South
Africa. Domestic partnership
registration is also an option
in a growing number of
countries, and some governments
recognize same-sex partnerships
for immigration purposes. Learn
more about international
relationship recognition.
