Obama, Our "Fierce Advocate Again Does Nothing - Gay Brazilian Husband Deported

In yet another example of why one needs no enemies when they have a "fierce advocate" for LGBT equality like Barack Obama, a legally married (in Massachusetts) native of Brazil has been deported despite the efforts of his American husband to halt the deportation. Thanks to DOMA and Obama's spinelessness, legally married gays in states that allow same sex marriage do not get the same treatment as heterosexual couples where marriage to an American citizen provides assurance of the ability to remain in the USA. I can only wonder what comment the simpering folks at HRC have to say about this situation - assuming they can take a pause from kissing Obama's butt. The story sadly is but another example of how our relationships and lives are not afforded equal status as those of straight couples. No doubt Tony Perkins and James Dobson are thrilled by the unequal result. Here are some highlights from Yahoo News:

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A gay Brazilian man has been denied asylum by the Obama administration and won't be reunited with his Massachusetts husband in the U.S., the husband said Monday. Tim Coco said Attorney General Eric Holder did not act on a Friday deadline in the case of Genesio "Junior" Oliveira, effectively denying the 30-year-old Brazilian man's request for asylum in the U.S.

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According to federal immigration law, immigrants also can apply for residency if they marry U.S. citizens. But the federal government does not recognize gay marriages under the Defense of Marriage Act, and Oliveira's request to remain in the United States based on his relationship with Coco was denied this year. In March, Sen. John Kerry asked Attorney General Eric Holder to grant Oliveira asylum on humanitarian grounds.

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Kerry spokeswoman Brigid O'Rourke said Monday that the senator will continue to work toward a solution that would reunite the couple for good. "The fact is that if Tim and Junior were a heterosexual married couple, they would never have suffered through more than two years of separation," said O'Rourke.

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The case comes as Obama tries to smooth a rocky relationship with gay activists, who want him to end the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy on gays, which he has pledged to do but hasn't given a timeline. Tens of thousands of gay rights supporters marched in Washington earlier this month, demanding Obama keep his promise to end the policy.

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Coco said he has spent about $250,000 in legal bills and hasn't seen Oliveira since January, though the two video chat online every night. Oliveira was denied a visa to return to Massachusetts last year for the funeral of Coco's mother.

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Once again, Obama has demonstrated that his pretty speeches mean nothing in terms of practical action to stop stories such as this one. At this point, I'd love to see him have a serious challenge for the Democrat Party nomination in 2012.