I keep getting asked why is it so important for federal recognition of gay marriage and not just on the state level? There are over a thousand reasons. The number of benefits denied by not having federally recognized marriage is more accurately 1,138. I obviously cannot address each of these, but one of them that effects, or will effect, me the most is the failure to recognize binational marriages. It is no secret that my partner (And future husband) is not a citizen of the US. In his country, gay marriage is already legal. We have talked about getting married, and where we will live after. At this point, the only option would be for me to live there. He could not come here unless we went back and forth as his visas expired. If our marriage was federally recognized, then that would not be necessary. I think there is this huge misconception that binational couples only get married so one could get a US citizenship. There are, in fact, a few who do marry for this reason, but the majority of them do so for love, and that would no different in a gay marriage than a straight one. Although a handful of same sex couples have been given a reprieve from deportation, without federally recognized marriage, there is no guarantee as, for now at least, it simply depends on who is assigned the case and their personal view on the matter. Regardless of which country we decide to build our lives together in, it is a given that we will travel back and forth from time to time to visit family, and it is important to know that if something happens, our rights will be protected no matter where we are. At least in his country we will be. Should it be the same here? Love to all.
Burly Bear Chris
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