 40,000 gay and lesbian Americans in a relationship with a foreign born partner, whose predicament was dramatized in last year's controversial arthouse film, Maple Palm, released today on a Collector's Edition DVD.
With the recent defeat of immigration reform on Capitol Hill, it seems the exile of these 40,000 American citizens and their foreign born partners will continue indefinately. Complex in its simplicity, Maple Palm backs off from heavy stylization in favor of dropping the viewer into the action with a front-row seat to its raw and disturbing intensity. As seen in the movie trailer and new exclusive clips, the film reveals obscure truths lurking within the shadows, and the destructive impact on those involved. And perhaps the most intriguing, Maple Palm raises a notion completely unheard of by most Americans - that some U.S. born citizens have to flee their homeland to find freedom elsewhere in the world; and not because they don't love this country, but because this country does not love them.  With a recent case brought before the Georgia Supreme court by plaintiffs calling immigration officials the "Gringo Gestapo," and lawmakers leveraging politicking against reality, and law enforcement caught between compassion and the rule of law, it's clear there are no easy answers for anyone. Not even an immigration bill endorsed by both the President, and the Department of Homeland Security, could find supporters willing to prioritize progress and compromise over bigotry and inaction. Yet within the quagmire, few if any, have made mention of the problems faced by same-sex couples, leaving their future in limbo. A lesbian American forced to leave the U.S. for Europe to live with her same-sex partner sates, "The reality of deportation isn't pretty. My partner was ripped from my arms and I was physically restrained as they dragged her away kicking and screaming. What is this, Nazi Germany all over again?" The Maple Palm Collector's Edition DVD is available now at Amazon.com and various retail outlets. Exclusive promotions are also available directly from the film's official website: www.MaplePalmMovie.com
Maple Palm delivers an emotional and tragic love story that the filmmakers hope will leave viewers thinking long after the screening has ended. Sourcing information from longtime immigration attorneys and bi-national couples living the predicament the film depicts, and combining it with the universal commonality of love, the filmmakers insist their opus isn't just for gay audiences, "Maple Palm will resonate with anyone who's made deep sacrifices for someone they love. And first or second generation immigrants will appreciate the film's dramatization of how easily residency can be revoked; a fear many immigrants live with, straight or gay, legal or illegal." states actor/producer, Robert J. Feldman.  Many bi-national same-sex couples have written the filmmakers in appreciation for bringing their struggle to light, however some have stated they wouldn't personally watch the film since it would be too painful. As our exiled lesbian American explains, "I can understand why some bi-national couples might not want to see the film. It's an emotional roller coaster. The parallels between my life and that film still haunt me. Even worse, is no one gives a damn." Under the condition of anonymity, the exiled lesbian American continues, "Straight men can buy a foreign bride online and she'll have a green card before the couple knows anything meaningful about each other. With all the fear over security threats, how come no one's worried about that? But ask them to give a gay or lesbian bi-national couple the same privilege, and suddenly there's a problem." Feldman illuminates further, "The psychological damage endured by gay immigrants has left them shell-shocked, as is likely true for any illegal immigrant. I read a statistic that said people in the witness protection program are more prone to suicide due to feelings of entrapment and isolation. A study of illegal immigrants would likely reveal similar data." As the film's website states, the facts are simple for gay and lesbian Americans in love with a person from another country: there's no hope. No way out. No one knows. And no one cares. Be it general ignorance to the issue or simply indifference to a shunned sector of society, the end result is the same - if you're gay, you're not free to be with the person you love if that person is a citizen of another country. However, the filmmakers insist Maple Palm is not a gay-marriage advocacy film, but a presentation of facts.
Sixteen countries legally recognize same-sex partners for the purpose of immigration. No such law currently exists here in the U.S., however, Representative Jerrold Nadler [NY] has introduced legislation, The Uniting American Families Act (UAFA,) to Congress which would allow American gays and lesbians to sponsor their foreign born partners for the purpose of immigration. Senator Patrick Leahy [VT] has introduced similar legislation to the Senate.
 Until next time!
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CULTURE 
