Take Action for Equality

GLIFAA focuses on a range of issues for bringing about equality for LGBT Federal Government personnel and our families. Some of the measures we need most require legislation, including two key bills: UAFA and DPBO.

Uniting American Families Act (UAFA)
Why is UAFA important to GLIFAA? American citizens in same sex partnerships cannot sponsor their foreign born partners for immigration benefits. LGBT employees of US foreign affairs agencies are often forced to choose between the country that they love and the partner that they love. The Defense of Marriage Act defines marriage as between a man and a woman and therefore prohibits even same-sex couples who have been married in the US from immigrating. UAFA would allow a US citizen to sponsor his/her same-sex partner for immigration to the US. GLIFAA needs your support to help to ensure that UAFA is passed.
Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act (DPBO)
Why is DPBO important to GLIFAA? The federal government does not recognize the same-sex partners and spouses of federal employees. DPBO (S. 1102, H.R. 2517) is a piece of legislation that would allow LGBT federal employees to give their unrecognized same-sex spouses and partners health insurance, life insurance, government pensions, and other employment related benefits and obligations that married heterosexual employees enjoy by being married.
What can you do to help pass UAFA and DPBO?
  1. Become a part of the GLIFAA Friends and receive our email alerts.
  2. Call or even meet your Member of Congress: 
    To call your Member of congress, contact your Members' district office and ask to speak with a staff member responsible for immigration and/or LGBT issues. Find your members and contact information for their district offices at www.house.gov or www.senate.gov. Or, you can contact their DC office through the Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121. If you are ready to meet your Member of Congress, email us at glifaa@glifaa.org and ask for our latest Congressional handouts and helpful hints.
  3. Remember that your advocacy efforts with any elected officials should always be done in a personal capacity using either your personal telephone or your personal computer and email account.