The longer version

So what brought all this about?

In November of 2000 I met a man in Rio de Janeiro. His name is Mauricio Novais. We fell in love. I have since then been to Brazil to be with him eight times, for periods ranging from two weeks to three months. Additionally, we traveled together in Italy for three weeks in 2001, and worked together on a performance project in Germany for a month in the summer of 2002. He has tried to come to the US, but he has not been allowed. A little over a year ago Mauricio applied for a tourist visa to come here. He was turned down. Like me, he is a gay artist, working in dance and theater, and scrambles to make a living. Our consulate looks for "proof of ties to his country". This would be a wife and children, a full time job, ownership of a house, and a lot of money in the bank. He’s a gay and an artist and has none of these (just like me). His application was refused. (Fortunately for me my first-world-privilege means no one ever asks me for these.)We decided this year to try again, with a different approach. We had the pro bono advice of two immigration attorneys in Minneapolis. On May 15, 2003 Mauricio had an interview at the US Consulate in Rio as part of his application for a student visa. He had been accepted to study English at the Minnesota English Center at the U of M. My brother had agreed to sponsor him. He had a letter explaining that he is an apprentice with a professional dance company based in Rio, a company which tours internationally, and will be a full time company member as of January 1, 2004. He was going to study here from September through December. Our consular officials asked him why a dancer needs to learn English, and suggested he stay in Brazil to learn English. Visa denied. $195 spent applying down the drain.If there were true equality in this country, I would be able to apply to bring Mauricio into this country as my life partner, as any heterosexual can. We would not have to resort to tourist and student visas.As it now stands, I am forced to choose between living in this community, which I love, and being with the man I love. I wish I could stay, but I am leaving for love. This is sad and unfair. It will be a great loss for me and for our community.

I have contributed much to our community in my lifetime. Among my contributions to our community are:

	Over thirty years of performing on stages ranging from the Walker and Guthrie to the Southern and Illusion Theaters, to scores of schools across the state
	Creation of Patrick’s Cabaret in Minneapolis
	Development of the Science Museum of Minnesota’s outreach program, Museum on the Move
	Original development of the Museum Magnet School in the St. Paul Schools
	Contribution of my papers to the Tretter Collection at the Andersen Library at the University of MN

At my age, forty-nine, I figure I have contributed about half of what I have to give. I would love to have the opportunity to continue to make such contributions in Minnesota, and to be able to live with my partner at the same time.

I sent a letter explaining all this to both Senator Mark Dayton, and Representative Martin Sabo, encouraging them to get the Partners Immigration Bill passed. Rep. Sabo responded, he is a co-sponsor of the bill, and wants to get it passed.

Unfortunately, it seems first we will require regime change here. Canada’s recent embrace of gay marriage makes clear how far we have to go in this country to have truly equal rights for gay and lesbian citizens.