Eat, Pray, Love ... and Fight For LGBT Families

by Michael Jones · 2010-08-13 06:19:00 UTC
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Today marks the opening day of perhaps the next big summer blockbuster, Eat, Pray, Love, the Julia Roberts vehicle that is likely to pack in audiences for a cinema trek through Italy, India, and Indonesia. But while moviegoers buy their popcorn, large Diet Cokes and Junior Mints, the author of the book that the movie is based on will be working the halls of Congress in support of the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA), a key piece of immigration legislation that will keep more than 36,000 LGBT families together.

Elizabeth Gilbert, who wrote the powerhouse book that captured the attention of Julia Roberts and tens of millions of people around the globe, will join with Immigration Equality and other LGBT activists to  lobby Congress for UAFA, immigration legislation that will allow LGBT Americans to sponsor their same-sex partners from other countries. It's perhaps the next step of LGBT rights activism for Gilbert, who made a splash earlier this year with some pretty articulate and moving comments on why marriage equality matters.

For Gilbert, her support of LGBT-inclusive immigration laws stems from wanting to see the United States be the best country is can possibly be.

“In addition to being unjust and cruel and unconscionable,” Gilbert said, “these laws [separating LGBT families] are stupid because they are taking away some of the best and brightest minds and prospects out of the country . . . they are forced to do nothing but fight for their lives. And they are in a fight for their lives. And I am proud to be part of that fight; I'm humbled and honored to be part of that fight.”

UAFA is one of the most important pieces of LGBT legislation currently before Congress. Having Gilbert's voice join this fight is something that Immigration Equality hopes will add extra attention to the significance of this law.

"Elizabeth Gilbert is a great writer, and a great activist,” said Rachel Tiven, the Executive Director of Immigration Equality. "Millions of readers, and now millions of movie-goers, have been moved by Elizabeth’s story of love, courage and empowerment.  We know our elected leaders will be equally inspired by her passionate advocacy on behalf of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender binational families.”

Heck, if Gilbert can inspire millions to want to toss out the routine of the day-to-day grind, and travel around the world in search of some of the best food, spiritual experiences, romance, and sex ... well then, maybe she's got the magic power to persuade Congress that justice for LGBT families shouldn't have to wait.

Photo credit: mzarzar

Michael Jones is a Change.org Editor. He has worked in the field of human rights communications for a decade, most recently for Harvard Law School.
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