SUNNYVALE, Calif., March 14, 2005 - Love Sees No Borders, an educational organization focused on raising awareness of the plight of same-sex binational couples and their fight to remain together, today hailed the decision of the San Francisco Superior Court Judge Richard Kramer, which stated that California’s current ban on marriage equality is unconstitutional. The decision opens the door for recognition of marriage equality nationwide that would grant immigration rights to same-sex couples.

According to Justice Kramer, ``It appears that no rational purpose exists for limiting marriage in this state to opposite-sex partners.” The judge also stated that the state's historical definition of marriage, by itself, cannot justify the unconstitutional denial of equal protection for same-sex couples and their right to marry. Opponents of marriage equality expressed that they will appeal the decision. The California Supreme Court is expected to settle the matter.

“Today binational same-sex couples have reason to celebrate,” said Leslie Bulbuk, Love Sees No Borders co-founder. “With each jurisdiction that recognizes that it is wrong to deny loving couples their rights, the closer we are to providing true stability to our families.”

Unlike their heterosexual counterparts, Americans and legal permanent residents in same-sex relationships are unable to sponsor a foreign partner for immigration purposes. The Permanent Partners Immigration Act would grant these couples the badly needed immigration benefit, and so would a federally-recognized marriage. Today’s victory is marred by the Defense of Marriage Act, which limits marriage federally to that between a man and a woman. Yet this decision -- along with Massachusetts’s decision to extend marriage rights to same-sex couples -- helps pave the way towards equality for binational couples.

“We hear constantly about couples who run out of options to remain together in the U.S.,” said Marta Donayre, Love Sees No Borders’ co-founder. “Many opt to leave the country altogether, taking with them their many needed and valuable skills and assets. This senseless discrimination hurts both families and the U.S. as a whole.”

Currently 16 countries have laws that allow citizens to sponsor a same-sex foreign partner for immigration. These are Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Israel, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

About Love Sees No Borders

Love Sees No Borders is an organization dedicated to promoting awareness of the plight of same-sex binational couples in the United States. Our work includes media outreach, public speaking, coalition building, and other educational activities. For more information about the organization and how to support our efforts through a donation, please visit www.loveseesnoborders.org.

Note to Editors: Leslie Bulbuk is a woman

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