U.S. customs denies gay couple...

[kuifje75]

From Salt Lake Tribune, Sunday, 21 September 2003, page 2

U.S. customs denies gay couple entry into country as a family

TORONTO - A homosexual couple married in Canada said Thursday they were denied entry into the United States as a family and told they had to file individual customs forms instead.

Kevin Bourassa and Joe Varnell abandoned their trip to a human rights conference in Georgia after a U.S. Customs official at Toronto's Pearson International Airport refused to accept their joint customs declaration form, saying the United States doesn't recognise same-sex marriages.

"We could have filled out separate forms, but how much of your dignity do you want to have chipped away?" Bourassa said.

"The customs officers were upholding U.S. law," said a U.S. Embassy spokeswoman in Ottawa.

 

[javapride]

OH JEEZ and we re supposed to be the land of the free ???????????? what the HELL is really wrong with USA Closed minded arrogant idiots! and fyi ONE state does reconize same sex marriage ( union) therefore they doh wrong!

 

[Lasza]

OH JEEZ and we re supposed to be the land of the free ????????????

We(Americans) are living in the land of FREEDOM right now. Give time to processing to accept and understanding more about GLBT. Why? cuz of different generations. I am sure that Generation X (or later) have more open mind than Baby Boomers and elders.
Hurry up for welcome more Xers into Congress. I still fowarding to see the system change. Sensed there are few Xers there already. But want increase more!
Javepride, U should be glad we are not living in the communtist country. Probably take forever for people and their goverment to accept same sex marriage. Maybe never! Which one is much better between Freedom and Communist? Freedom!
If u don't like it, join the advocate group. Use ur energy to speak out and convience our country start accept same sex marriage more.
Plus not forgot to regrister for become a voter.

what the HELL is really wrong with USA Closed minded arrogant idiots!

Notice USA have somewhat narrowminded right now. Cuz of Christianity style. USA start change their traditional for allow same sex marriage SLOWLY. But one thing we should be grateful about being in 2003! Compare to 1950's, they were guarantee disapproved quickly.

and fyi ONE state does reconize same sex marriage ( union) therefore they doh wrong!

Thought there are two States (Vermont and Hawaii). Both are Civil Union but not legal marriage yet. I think few states are considering but not approve yet. Ofc cuz of political conflicts.

 

[ASLuser101]

as long as Bush is in the White House, NOTHING is going to improve. remember this in 2004. tell your friends to vote for the other guy.

 

[Fly Free]

Hurry up for welcome more Xers into Congress. I still fowarding to see the system change. Sensed there are few Xers there already. But want increase more!

i agree Lasza!!!!

altho USA did not accept gay couples registered at the customs office -- some laws that has been knocked down (ie: Lawrence et al v Texas) by the US Supreme Court has been the first big court decision and it would then pave way for the gay couples to be recognized -- in many counties across the USA gay couples are recognized as "domestic partners" but not allowing the recognization of the vows that were done in a religious insitution that is open to marriages (ie: MCC and other faiths) -- im just grateful that the US is starting to at least give us some rights -- ie: living will, domestic partnerships, health care, adoptions and etc -- thats a start -- the NGLTF (National Gay and Lesbian Task Force) is the well known advocate group that does alot of legal issues ref to this along with the Lambda Society -- the Gen Xers basically (at least IMO) are the first generation that has recognized and accepted the fact that there are gay and lesbians out there -- in time when we have more Gen Xers in Congress the road would be paved for more equal legal rights to the GLBT community members

 

[Fly Free]

as long as Bush is in the White House, NOTHING is going to improve. remember this in 2004. tell your friends to vote for the other guy.

i agree -- gotta get Bush OUT of office at the 2004 elections

 

[Kai Onca]

its the law- I myself agree its not fair but until a solution comes up its the best for everyone to put up with it. I know its the price that you guys pay but safety comes first. I rather have my rights stripped away just to be safe

 

[VamPyroX]

I don't blame the customs for doing that.

For instance, some countries allow multiple marriages... men with more than one wife. However, if they were all to move to America... the man would only be allowed to have one of his wives recognized as his legal wife. That's life in America... :sure:

Secondly, that couple should have known better about sneaking out only to defy American laws. If you want cuban cigars, going to Mexico will get you cuban cigars but they certainly aren't gonna let you back in with those cigars!

 

[ASLuser101]

"I rather have my rights stripped away just to be safe"


I rather be DEAD than be stripped of my rights.

But you have a right to your opinion so thanks for posting!

 

[Kai Onca]

"I rather have my rights stripped away just to be safe"


I rather be DEAD than be stripped of my rights.

But you have a right to your opinion so thanks for posting!

to those who rather be dead... less people and less complicated the world would be therefore, I'll gain back my rights/freedom

 

[javapride]

Lasza I now totally understand ur point of veiw and i do apperticate u pointing them out true today we should FIGHT to let the same sex couple be allowed to come into the states without provocations and feeling like there is no barrier in the community.

Cricket, be grateful LIKE Lasza said we live in the land of the free, BUT to want to have ur rights stripped away is like u wanting to live in a communist world or in a imperalist world, but i respect ur opioion i just think being dead and less poeple in this world only makes the *other* poeple win thier rights to block any one!

bush I agree VOTE the other guy

Fly free YES u are right abt that and i totally agree with ur comment

 

[sablescort]

i agree -- gotta get Bush OUT of office at the 2004 elections

Yes! It's time Dubya gets the hell outa here.

Fly and Java and our other GLBT friends in this forum, I invite y'all to vote in Howard Dean and General Wesley Clark 'cuz they both support gay rights. (General Clark even supports gays in the military too)

 

[Lasza]

I ain't surprise that USA is not only country for not recognize "Same Sex" marriage. Possible other countries like Iraq and others might get more worst than USA's doing. In my imagine, one country (not know which one) find out gay couple who are married then might end up in the prison or receive the worst punishment. Some countries still care about sodomy laws as well. Glad USA get over with it last spring. Whew!

 

[Kai Onca]

I thought the Vice Prez's daughter was a lesbian? My point would be that Cheney or whatever his name would be spelled was gonna pass more laws protecting the rights of gay/lesbians

 

[sablescort]

I thought the Vice Prez's daughter was a lesbian? My point would be that Cheney or whatever his name would be spelled was gonna pass more laws protecting the rights of gay/lesbians

Yeah Cheney's daughter was a lesbian.

I dont think Shrub and Cheney didn't even lift a finger to protect gays/lesbian rights.

Dean was on the right track when he signed the Vermont Civil Union bill.

 

[Oddball]

Yes! It's time Dubya gets the hell outa here.

Fly and Java and our other GLBT friends in this forum, I invite y'all to vote in Howard Dean and General Wesley Clark 'cuz they both support gay rights. (General Clark even supports gays in the military too)

Who the hell is Dubya???? Forgive me.

 

[sablescort]

Who the hell is Dubya???? Forgive me.

Dubya=Bush

 

[Oddball]

Dubya=Bush

Ohhh.. that Bush??? interesting name. DUBYA is out!!