Anthony John Makk's expulsion from the US has been ordered. His seven-year marriage to Bradford Wells was not considered "a petitionable relationship". "For a relationship to qualify as a marriage for purposes of federal law, one partner must be a man and the other a woman," the US Citizenship and Immigration Services decided.
But wait; there's more...
Bradford Wells suffers from AIDS. His husband Anthony is his primary caregiver. When Anthony is thrown from the shores of our United States on August 25th, Bradford Wells must either speed to his death in Anthony Makk's country of origin, Australia (unless someone knows something about Australian health care I don't, Wells loses his insurance and what medical care he was receiving here) - or - give up his partner of 19 years and husband of 7.
That's what we have, people. This is DOMA at it's finest: Bradford Well dies - suffering and soon - with his husband in Australia, or lives - suffering and alone - in the United States.
Anyone think they could make that call? Anyone think that decision should be forced on another human being?
There is no excuse for this. There is no possible explanation or justification or rationalization for this fucking abomination.
Rep. Nancy Pelosi has apparently appealed to immigration officials on Makk and Wells' behalf, and she's given her statement of support-but-don't-get-your-hopes-up. I applaud whatever efforts she's made. I'm already on the phone, for whatever a Wisconsin boy's rage will be worth.
Please visit the change.org petition and lend your voice, if you haven't already. Please call anyone and everyone. Offer your support to Pelosi; vent your anger to Immigration; do whatever you can. Please.
Help stop this. This is not who we are, and it cannot be allowed to become who we are. It is monstrous, inhuman, despicable... adjectives fail. I am already ashamed of my country that this has even gone this far. If Anthony John Makk and Bradford Wells are forced into exile or separation, I don't know if I could ever forgive anyone responsible.
Including myself.