Downfall of DOMA Paves Path To Citizenship

When the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a key section of the Defense of Marriage Act on June 26, nearly 40,000 LGBT binational couples were suddenly eligible to sponsor their spouses for U.S. residency and citizenship.

“It was like a huge weight off my shoulders,” said Denver gay man Jesse Martinez, reflecting on the day the Supreme Court’s ruling was announced. “What I want more than anything is for my husband to be able to live his dreams and pursue his opportunities here in the U.S.”

Martinez moved to Denver from Grand Junction in 2003, and it was here that he met Fernando Hernandez Oliva, who was visiting Colorado from Guatemala. “We connected and hit it off right after we met,” Martinez said. “Fernando is a very sincere and genuine person. I knew he was the person I wanted to be with.”

Full article from Out Front