This video was made for presentation at a Candlelight Vigil
Haverhill, Massachusetts
August 12, 2008
Created and Edited by Genesio Oliveira
©2008 Genesio J. Oliveira, Jr. All rights reserved.
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Bay windows -
Love in exile: One year later, Brazilian spouse still blocked from returning
by Ethan Jacobs
associate editor
Wednesday Aug 13, 2008
On a cool summer evening on a quiet residential street in Haverhill about 35 friends, neighbors and family members gathered for a candlelight vigil to mark the one-year anniversary of the forced separation of Tim Coco and Genesio Oliveira, Jr. The couple was legally married in 2005, but Oliveira, a Brazilian citizen, was forced to return to his native country last August after his request for asylum in the United States was denied.
Coco held the vigil at the couple's Haverhill home, now occupied by Coco and the couple's dog, Q-Tip, to raise awareness about the unjust treatment he and Oliveira have received as a result of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). While immigration law allows spouses of American citizens to obtain legal permanent residency, under DOMA Coco and Oliveira are not considered spouses. The couple is considering filing a legal challenge to overturn DOMA in federal court, but Coco told the crowd at the vigil that he and Oliveira have become activists by necessity, not by choice. He said if the federal government was willing to allow Oliveira to return they would happily resume their normal lives and abandon any efforts to take legal action.
"Junior is a victim of a government-sponsored hate crime. The United States government knows we're a family, they know we're legally married. ... We're willing to go away quietly, just let us get back together," said Coco, who owns a Haverhill-based advertising agency.
...The couple legally married during the asylum process. Last August, after Oliveira's visa expired, he was forced to return to Brazil. The couple filed an I-130 request, which a U.S. citizen would file to allow his or her spouse to obtain residency, but they expect that petition will be denied. Once they receive the formal denial Coco said the couple might take legal action.
... The couple's former minister, the Rev. Janet Bowering, formerly of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Haverhill, began the vigil with an invocation.
"When a gay partner or spouse cannot be with their loved one we are robbing both of a basic human need, the need to love and to be loved," said Bowering.
...Oliveira himself addressed the group gathered on the lawn, speaking via a pre-recorded video played on the television screen. The video began with animated footage of a polar bear and a monkey frolicking outdoors before being separated by a chasm opening up in the earth, with the songs "Somewhere Out There" and "There's a Place For Us" as the soundtrack. Then the video cut to Oliveira himself, who spoke about his hopes for being reunited with Coco.
"I wish I could say I will be home soon, but it looks like we have a long fight ahead of us," said Oliveira.
...Coco said the couple is pursuing other avenues to get Oliveira back into the country beyond the legal challenge...
The couple has also reached out to members of the Massachusetts congressional delegation. Coco said they have spoken with staff for Congresswoman Niki Tsongas (who sent an aide to the vigil) and Sens. John Kerry and Ted Kennedy. Kerry's office got directly involved, sending a letter to the Department of Homeland Security urging them to expedite the process for their I-130 petition, but Coco said Homeland Security denied Kerry's request.
"Senator Kerry met Tim Coco twice this past spring, once in Haverhill and again at 5th District Day in Washington. The senator was personally moved by Tim's plight and his office has explored several ways to be helpful since then. Unfortunately, due to bureaucratic entanglements, very little progress has been made. However, our office continues to explore ways as to how the senator can be helpful to both Tim and Genesio," said Kerry spokesman Andrew O'Brien in a statement to Bay Windows.
Coco said he is also urging Kerry and other members of Congress to appeal directly to U.S. Attorney General Michael Mukasey, who he said has the authority to unilaterally grant Oliveira residency.
In the meantime Coco said he and Oliveira talk every night via online video chats, and he has traveled to Brazil three times to visit. He said if either immigration authorities or Mukasey allow Oliveira to return home through an administrative ruling the couple would happily abandon their efforts to be reunited through the courts.
"I would put aside that challenge if they would just let Junior come home," said Coco.
For more informations:
www.reunitethisfamily.com
full story at: (http://www.baywindows.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=glbt&sc2=news&sc3=...)
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Day 731 - 2nd Annual Candlelight Vigilby genesio1234657 views
So Happy your home!
Cocolove083 1 month ago
for what
MrNelson4444 4 months ago
Is this a tribute for gay marriage?
Clemburke1111 1 year ago
WE'RE PRAYING FOR YOUR RETURN
RICHMOND94114 2 years ago
Great Job on this video Genesio. Just more proof that the Uniting American Families Act or UAFA needs to pass. Best Wishes
4uafa 3 years ago