Due to our close proximity to the Mexican border, San Diego is home to many GLBT individuals in need of immigration assistance. We also draw GLBT tourists in large numbers from all across the world, many of whom wish to stay here long term.

Leading the GLBT immigration battle in support of these individuals is Anthony White, San Diego Chapter Coordinator for Immigration Equality. White, who is in a binational relationship of 11 years, was prompted to fight for the cause after watching an episode of “Who Wants to Marry a Millionaire”.

“I was so upset that someone could go on television for an hour, meet someone and marry them, and be granted the rights that my partner of 11 years did not have, especially the right to sponsor my partner to immigrate to the United States,” explains White.

At that time, the chapter was facing difficulties because the local leader was leaving the country so that he could be with his partner in Germany. White was handed a thick binder of information and asked to do what he could to keep the chapter alive. “So, I put my nose to the grindstone and started learning. I first went to Washington to the national meeting in April of last year, which was an incredible educational experience. The week after I got back we held our first fundraiser under my leadership. And with some money granted to us by the San Diego Foundation for Change and the help of Diversionary Theatre, we presented the West coast premiere of a play dealing with LGBT immigration issues.”

The rest is history. White now heads up what John Nechman refers to as “one of the two top chapters in the country.” The San Diego chapter is thriving and fighting every day to move one step closer to equality.

The local chapter meets the first Thursday of every month at The Center.

“Every month we hold a discussion on a topic of interest to our members, like ‘The Status of the PPIA’ or ‘Business Options for Immigration’ and even ‘Immigration to Canada’, as many of our couples are working on moving to Canada to stay together, which is very sad,” says White. “Following these discussions we open it up to questions and comments, as people share their struggles and successes. We also conduct free legal clinics two to three times per year, where we offer complimentary 20-to-30 minute consultations with volunteer immigration attorneys.”

If you’re wondering how you can get involved in this issue, White has plenty of suggestions. “People can get involved with our chapter by e-mailing us (at immigrationequalitysd@yahoo.com) or by just coming to a meeting. We also ask others in the community to join us in urging their representatives to support the PPIA. We are launching a project here in San Diego that we hope will go statewide, called “Focus on Feinstein” where we will be working with other organizations to try to persuade Dianne Feinstein to co-sponsor the PPIA. She touts herself as being for equal rights and yet holds back her support of this measure to insure equal immigration rights for her LGBT constituents,” explains White.