Washington - The Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, today lauded the introduction of the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) in the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill, sponsored by Representative Jerry Nadler (D-NY), would allow U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents in same-sex relationships to sponsor their partners for immigration purposes.

Under current immigration law, U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents may sponsor their opposite-sex spouses for immigration purposes. But Americans in any same-sex relationship are not afforded this basic right. Consequently, many bi-national same-sex couples are kept or torn apart.

"Our nation should bring families together, not tear them apart," said HRC President Joe Solmonese. "For far too long, our country has ignored the devastating real-life consequences that current immigration policies have had on thousands of same-sex couples in loving, committed relationships."

According to the U.S. Census, nearly 36,000 lesbian and gay Americans are in bi-national couples. Their median age is 38, and 47% of bi-national couples are raising children.

The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.