Canadian Lesbian Couple Forced to Fill Out Separate Customs Forms

[William769]

A married Vancouver couple say they’re less likely to travel to the U.S. after being told to fill out separate customs forms.

Not only have Karen-Marie and Andrina Perry been married for three years, they also live together and have the same last name. Yet on a recent trip to the United States, the women were instructed to fill out separate customs forms because they are not recognized as a family in America.

On past visits Andrina has completed one form for the two of them, but as they approached U.S. Customs at Vancouver International Airport July 28, the travelers were told they needed separate forms and that they would not be permitted to go through U.S. Customs together.

Instructions on the form read, “Each arriving traveler or responsible family member must provide the following information (only one written declaration per family is required).” But a spokeswoman for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection says the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act prohibits recognition of same-sex couples.

http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2011/09/01/Canadian_Lesbian_Couple_Forced_To_Fill_Out_Separate_Customs_Forms/

[digitaln3rd]

1. The United States is an embarrassment.

Superpower my foot. First world countries generally don't restrict peoples rights like this.

[CelticThunder]

2. That's because first world county govts. usually aren't run by fundies like ours is

[CBGLuthier]

3. DOMA is the stupidest law used by the stupidest people and signed by

one really stupid fucking president.

[sakabatou]

8. Probably one of the worst things Clinton ever signed into law

[provis99]

4. I wonder if this happens to Saudi princes with four wives.

Do you think they make the Saudi king and his four wives fill out different customs forms?

[William769]

5. I don't think they have to fill out any forms.

[dsc]

7. but it does beg the question of normal Saudis or other people

from polygamous cultures, do they have to fill out separate forms? I wonder.

[Tesha]

6. Do you think they make them go through Customs?

"Diplomatic Immunity!"