October 5, 2011
Video: DNC Chair Speaks at Immigration Equality Fundraiser
Michael K. Lavers READ TIME: 1 MIN.
Florida Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz spoke at an Immigration Equality fundraiser in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, Oct. 4.
Wasserman Schultz, who chairs the Democratic National Committee, discussed the prospects of the Uniting American Families Act, which would allow American citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their same-sex partners for immigration purposes. She referenced the case of Anthony Makk and Bradford Wells, a gay couple from San Francisco who faces separation because Makk faces deportation back to his native Australia, in her speech.
Wasserman Schultz conceded to EDGE as she left the fundraiser that she is not confident that UAFA will become law during this Congress.
"We have Republicans who are opposed to comprehensive immigration reform and even more opposed to including same-sex bi-national couples in any kind of immigration reform," she noted.
Wasserman Schultz also blasted Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain for asserting on "The View" earlier in the day that homosexuality is a choice.
"It's shockingly out of touch and insensitive for him to suggest-outdated, ancient-and sends a terrible message to gay kids, to gay Americans that somehow they should be treated differently and that we don't recognize that sexuality is simply a matter of the way you were born," she told EDGE.
Based in Washington, D.C., Michael K. Lavers has appeared in the New York Times, BBC, WNYC, Huffington Post, Village Voice, Advocate and other mainstream and LGBT media outlets. He is an unapologetic political junkie who thoroughly enjoys living inside the Beltway.
