GOP Ex-Congressman Testifies About Struggle Getting Visa For His Gay Partner
Source: TPM
BENJY SARLIN 12:43 PM EDT, MONDAY APRIL 22, 2013
Former Rep. Jim Kolbe (R-AZ) cited his own relationship with a Panamanian man at a Senate Judiciary Comittee hearing on immigration to argue for including LGBT protections in a bill.
"I know, as the partner of an immigrant how difficult it can be to build a life and protect the system under the current system," he said. "While this is an excellent starting point, I submit to you it is still incomplete. Families like mine are left behind as part of the proposal."
Immigrant and gay rights groups were disappointed last week when the "Gang of8's" bipartisan immigration bill did not include measures allowing Americans to bring same-sex partners or spouses from abroad on family visas. Because of the Defense Of Marriage Act, now under review by the Supreme Court, the federal government is barred from recognizing gay marriages for immigration purposes, forcing many families into effective exile abroad.
"My partner was born in Panama and came to the United States on a scholarship to pursue [a graduate degree] in special education," Kolbe, who was outed in 1996 after voting in favor of DOMA, said. "He has been a dedicated teacher for almost two decades. He was...was forced to turn to Panama when his visa expired. The separation was painful."
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matt819
(10,749 posts)Another R who seems unable to figure out why he's suffering when his party has nothing but contempt for people like him.
kestrel91316
(51,666 posts)That mental process requires a very special sort of stupid.
awoke_in_2003
(34,582 posts)valerief
(53,235 posts)awoke_in_2003
(34,582 posts)Behind the Aegis
(53,833 posts)"Kolbe, who was outed in 1996 after voting in favor of DOMA,.
It is good he is trying to bring this issue to attention, but he deserves much of the blame for helping create the situation.
brooklynite
(93,873 posts)marble falls
(56,359 posts)DOMA.
Hosnon
(7,800 posts)When the person is using his or her position of power to discriminate against the LGBT community, while at the same time being an active member (e.g., dating and therefore requesting that his or her decision to remain in the closet be respected).
This was in the mid-90s - a different time (hell, 2010 was a different time) - so I don't hold is vote against him. Self-hatred is common in many of us. However, any gay person who advocates for discrimination in 2013 or beyond does not deserve the same courtesy, and better be prepared to face a lot of shit if and when they start to take advantage of the rights that the rest of us are working for.
Ash_F
(5,861 posts)The answer to his problem, and America's, lies in that question.
sofa king
(10,857 posts)... Had it that Kolbe was a silent partner in the attempt to overthrow Newt Gingrich as Speaker in 1997, along with Boehner, DeLay, Bill Paxon, and Dick Armey.
Armey, too stupid to be a dependable part of any faction, eventually ratted Paxon's plan out to Gingrich, and the Grinch successfully defended himself in part by threatening to expose the "gay mafia" within the GOP, of which Paxon and Kolbe were alleged to be a part (edit: as well as others).
In the event, Paxon's quickly-rising career was totally crushed. His alleged lover, Brit Hume's gay son, committed suicide, and Paxon resigned, never to return to public life.
But Kolbe, who had already been kicked out of the closet by the infuriated gay community, was immune to such attacks and sailed through the whole thing with nary a scratch.