Gay debate: immigration
by Korene Gallegos
The Metropolitan
Tara Pierce / The Metropolitan
Michael Brewer and Chris Nettles of the Stonewall Democrats participated
in the “Gay Debates” in the Multicultural Lounge in the Tivoli
Oct. 19.
The Auraria Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Student Services (GLBT)
and the Metro Student Activities office hosted the “Gay Debates”
Oct. 19 in the Multicultural Center in the Tivoli.
Members from both the Democratic and Republican parties were asked to
participate. Despite the publicized issue of gay marriage in the election,
the topic of debate was immigration. Metro student and GLBT Program Assistant
Erin Durban chose the topic.
“Our nation has stepped away from immigration, except in terms
of Homeland Security,” she said.
Metro student and GLBT member Mike Frazier also found a different subject
needed to be addressed aside from gay marriage.
“We felt we’d get bored with the same topic,” he said.
“(Also) both (debate) groups have similar views on gay marriage.”
Daniel Merritt-LeSatz represented the Log Cabin Republicans in the debate.
Log Cabin Republicans is an organization which supports gay and lesbian
civil rights within the Republican Party.
Chris Nettles and Michael Brewer represented the Stonewall Democrats
in the “Gay Debates.”
The Democrats’ agenda, in alliance with the GLBT, is to pursue
the Federal Marriage Act, (by) bringing Americans together, not driving
them apart.
On the debate topic of immigration, Brewer, who is a lawyer and Director
of Public Affairs of the Denver GLBT, explains there are two categories
on immigration which affect the GLBT community.
“The most common is immigrants from other countries who are in
same-sex relationships within this country, which the U.S. government
does not recognize in terms of immigrating,” he said. “If
a couple is married, it’s not an issue at all.”
“I’m definitely in agreeance,” Merritt-LeSatz said.
“But in terms of illegal immigrants, there is no protection of our
borders.”
Merritt-LeSatz continued to explain the importance of security along
U.S. borders including Mexico, which has 12 million illegal immigrants
within the United States. According to Merritt-LeSatz, these illegal immigrants
cost the taxpayers 25 billion dollars per year.
“It’s a burden on the taxpayers,” he said.
According to Brewer, the second issue is people who suffer discrimination
in their own country. Sex-orientation persecution is hard to prove for
asylum in the United States.
Brewer gave examples of persecution of the GLBT community in Latin America
and countries like Egypt. Religious and political persecution are easier
to document.
“Unless you have a letter from your persecutor, it’s hard
to prove,” Brewer said.
Brewer explained that immigration policies and regulations are moving
from the judicial system to Homeland Security, which implies those who
are escaping from gay/lesbian persecution may be a threat to National
Security.
“I’m concerned this would lump them into a category in which
they do not belong,” he said.
The Republican side responded and re-iterated the importance of a better
tracking system for illegal immigrants in general.
Merritt-LeSatz is openly gay and a Republican. For the Log Cabin Republicans,
the goal is to make changes within the party. College Republican Chairman
Jesse Samora agrees.
“All parties need to set back and show more compassion,”
he said. “The Log Cabin Republicans are an active voice in our party;
I want to thank them for that.”
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