There doesn't seem to be a resolution in sight, as An doesn't think the Bush administration is ready to embrace the PPIA. She jokes that a proclamation of "Welcome queer immigrants" doesn't seem likely considering the current government is anti-gay, and after 9-11, anti-immigrant. "But LGIRTF won't give up," Leslie says as she smiles and grabs her partner's hand. "Just like so many other gay issues that are being brought up right now, this one will continue to rear its head and be a thorn in the side of the federal government and the INS."
Leslie says that activism is happening with so much force now, things will have to change. "You've got Diane Sawyer confronting a conservative homophobe from Florida on TV, you've got a couple of ministers in Massachusetts who are refusing to sign any marriage licenses until gay couples can get married, you've got transsexuals getting legal custody of their children. Everyday some new important legal actions are being taken on behalf of lesbians, gay, bisexuals and transsexuals. Things will change because we will make them change. It just takes time and patience, neither of which An and I have in spades!"
For more information, click on the LGIRTF website: www.lgirtf.org .
(Reprinted with Author's permission.)
