SAME SEX,DIFFERENT RIGHTS: AMENDING U.S. IMMIGRATION LAW TO RECOGNIZE SAME‐SEX PARTNERS OF REFUGEES AND ASYLEES

Overcoming a long history of anti‐gay sentiment preserved in federal immigration law, the United States has made admirable advances during the past two decades in the protection it affords gay immigrants. Despite this promising progress, and in contrast to the practices of all other industrialized democracies, the United States remains firm in its refusal to federally recognize any form of same‐sex partnership, a decision which bears directly on those relationships considered valid for immigration purposes. The Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) represents the closest any proposed legislation has come to successfully granting immigration rights to gay immigrants. However, through its restrictive provisions, the UAFA fails to fully account for the needs of refugees, asylees, and their same‐sex partners. This Note argues that, while the UAFA is a step in the right direction, it does not go far enough to protect gay refugees and asylees. It further proposes that legislation be enacted which provides this unique segment of the immigrant population the opportunity to share their lives together, free from fear of persecution. It advocates for the use of the conjugal partner provision set out in Canada's Immigration and Refugee Protection Act as a template for changes to U.S. immigration law, thereby expanding the category of relationships viewed as valid for the purpose of immigration.     

解读婚姻“身份危机”——来自同性婚姻的挑战

面对同性婚姻的挑战，西方社会对于婚姻制度的走向可以分为三种意识形态阵营，第一个阵营相信婚姻制度的毁灭也许是最好的选择方式，认为传统婚姻制度不能适应同性婚姻的需要；第二个阵营相信婚姻制度能够改变，认为如果接受同性恋婚姻将使婚姻制度转变得更有生命力和更加公平；第三个阵营喜欢婚姻制度保持现有状态，认为包容同性恋婚姻将会改变婚姻现行的显著特征并且最终毁灭婚姻。婚姻出现了“身份危机”，面对这种危机，作为中立的法律应该综合考虑婚姻法的道德复杂性及婚姻中的国家利益，在保证不违反国家利益的前提下，婚姻制度应该接受多元化，进一步走向宽容。     

Psychological Distress Following Suicidality Among Gay,Lesbian, and Bisexual Youths: Role of Social Relationships

Longitudinal relations between past suicidality and subsequent changes in psychological distress at follow-up were examined among gay, lesbian, and bisexual (GLB) youths, as were psychosocial factors (e.g., self-esteem, social support, negative social relationships) that might mediate or moderate this relation. Past suicide attempters were found to have higher levels of depressive symptoms, anxious symptoms, and conduct problems at a later time than youths who neither attempted nor ideated. Psychosocial factors failed to mediate this relation. The interaction among past suicidality, social support, and negative relationships was associated with subsequent changes in all 3 psychological distress indicators 6 months later. Specifically, high levels of support (either from family or friends) or negative relationships were found to predict increased psychological distress among those with a history of suicide attempts, but not among youths without a history of suicidality. The findings suggest that GLB youths who attempt suicide continue to have elevated levels of psychological distress long after their attempt and they highlight the importance of social relationships in the youths psychological distress at follow-up.Earlier versions of this paper were presented at the biannual meeting of the European Association for Research on Adolescence, Oxford, UK, September 2002; and, at the annual meeting of the American Public Health Association, San Francisco, CA, November 2003.Associate Professor of Psychology, The City University of New York—The City College and Graduate Center. Received PhD in psychology from New York University. Research interests include the relation of identity to health, the intersection of multiple identities, and the relation of violence to health.Doctoral candidate in Social/Personality Psychology and Health Psychology, The City University of New York—Graduate Center. Research interests include the role of social relationships in the preservation of health and well-being.Research Scientist, HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, New York State Psychiatric Institute; and Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University. Received doctorate in social welfare (DSW) from The City University of New York—Graduate Center. Research and clinical interests include the design and implementation of interventions for gay, lesbian, and bisexual adolescents.     

Uncovering: The Economic Benefits of LGBT Workplace Inclusion

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people constitute approximately five percent of the population, but workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity remains troublingly commonplace. This article summarizes a large and growing body of social science research demonstrating the economic benefits of LGBT inclusion (and the costs of LGBT exclusion) in the workplace. It concludes with recommendations for (1) future research, stressing the need for more China-specific studies, which would inform policymaking and theoretical understanding of diversity and inclusion practices on business performance, (2) improving employer LGBT-inclusion policies, and (3) strengthening state protection of the equal employment rights of LGBT people.