photograph, Judy Rickard, from Windy City Media Group 

When it comes to gay rights and the 1,000+ practical/financial benefits of marriage in the United States, one often overlooked is the right of the American spouse of a binational heterosexual couple to sponsor his or her spouse for U.S. immigration. Yet, some 36,000 same-sex couples are in binational relationships not recognized as marriages under U.S. federal law. Judy Rickard and her partner are one such couple, writing and working to keep families from being "torn apart."

Judy Rickard, 63, and Karin Bogliolo, 71, have been together as a couple since 2005, when they met online and got to know each other long-distance (Karin in Oregon; Judy in California) until, though both admitted they didn’t dance, Karin invited Judy to come north for a PFLAG dance. Bit by bit, they recognized their love for each other, were united as domestic partners in California on Valentine’s Day 2007, and married in Vermont last April. Along the way, they have faced the typical adjustments of merging two lives – “Karin absolutely did not like my bright colors and ethnic art and massive, organic furniture!” says Judy – but they have also dealt with a much larger challenge. Though not faced by most couples, it is a challenge confronting a significant enough number that it’s time we all took notice, and Judy hopes her first book will help the general public and U.S. government leaders to do so. (10,000 Couples Publisher Delena Wilkerson reviewed the book, "Torn Apart," last February.)

By Heidi Mann, Associate Editor

Rev. Heidi Mann serves as Associate Editor, copy-editor, "Someone You MUST Know" feature author, and all around "God send" for 10,000 Couples. She is also a freelancer and owns Final Touch Proofreading and Editing, LLC. Heidi has been something of a wordsmith in various contexts throughout her life, from junior high, when she first started writing poetry; through high school, college, and graduate school, where writing skills came in very handy; and on through 13+ years of ministry as a pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), a role in which she wrote regularly for sermons, newsletters, and correspondence. Heidi lives in the tiny and delightful town of Hendrum, Minn., with her husband, 2 young sons, and 4 mischievous cats.

Comments(2):

1. Adorable pictures!

   Too cute ladies! http://www.facebook.com/BiNationalCouples

   Tuesday, January 03, 2012 Kelly

2. Agreed!

   Kelly, I know, right? Aren't they sweet?! Now we need to really PUSH so government leaders see how important it is to keep ALL loving couples together. Thanks for reading and commenting! -Heidi

   Tuesday, January 24, 2012 Heidi

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