This week, like many lawmakers on Capitol Hill, we are turning our attention to the issue of immigration reform. On Tuesday, Congressman Jerry Nadler, D-New York, and Senator Patrick Leahy, D-Vermont, introduced the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA). This legislation would allow citizens and legal residents in same-sex relationships to sponsor their partners for immigration purposes. We congratulate the two lawmakers on their leadership. And we are looking forward to working with Immigration Equality (http://www.immigrationequality.org/) and our other coalition allies on this issue.  (You can send a message to your elected officals about the legislation by clicking here).

One of the key supporters of the UAFA is Congressman Chris Shays, R-Connecticut. The congressman continues to distinguish himself, this term, as an outspoken GOP leader for GLBT equality. Last week, the Washington Blade ran an interesting front page profile, looking at how Congressman Shays' views have evolved over the last decade. (To see the article, click here.) He and a handful of other Republicans are continuing to serve as an increasingly important voice of inclusion in the new minority on Capitol Hill.

Speaking of the need for inclusion, our rightwing opponents haven't relented for one moment since our historic victory on the hate crimes bill last Thursday. And, the saddest part of all is that they lie, distort, and mislead again and again with absolutely no shame. One anti-equality activist even called the legislation "the most dangerous bill in the country." Another pulled the "homosexual/transgender panic" scare tactic out of her playbook, announcing that, under the law, a man could no longer defend himself from unwanted advances from a transexual without the risk of being charged with a hate crime. While these activists' rhetoric is ridiculous, their national infrastructure and power still remain daunting. Last week, they swamped Capitol Hill with calls and letters and may have even won over some last-minute wavering votes. We are going to have to be ready for their next round of irresponsible lobbying when the Senate takes up the Matthew Shepard Act.

We, however, do have great citizen-lobbyists telling the truth all the time. And one group that will be walking the halls of Congress, next Tuesday, is over 120 members and supporters of the National Center for Transgender Equality. With the first ever transgender inclusive version of ENDA now introduced, it is vitally important that transgender members of our community tell their personal stories and educate lawmakers. A special training for the NCTE Lobby Day will take place at the HRC Equality Forum on this Monday and then the lobbying and a rally will take place the next day. If you'd like to learn more about the great work of NCTE, check out: http://www.nctequality.org/.

In the states, this week, we had a disappointing setback in Minnesota, where Governor Tim Pawlenty vetoed a bill that would have empowered local municipalities to offer domestic partner benefits. I know that our friends at OutFront Minnesota will continue to move forward after this setback and keep up their great work.  Meanwhile, in Oregon, it was an amazing week as Governor Ted Kulongoski signed the state's new domestic partnership and non-discrimination laws; the Governor has an impressive record of over 30 years of supporting GLBT civil rights. He was joined at the signing ceremony by a former Oregon governor, Barbara Roberts, who also is a former HRC Board Member.