cover image Torn Apart: United by Love, Divided by Law

Torn Apart: United by Love, Divided by Law

Judy Rickard. Findhorn (findhornpress.com), $20 (272p) ISBN 978-1-84409-548-3

The Defense of Marriage Act and other federal legislation have forced Rickard and her British partner, Karin, to live much of their lives apart. Rickard collected stories from some of the other 36,000 LGBT couples, in which one partner is an immigrant, forced into itinerancy and convoluted living arrangements to abide by immigration requirements that don%E2%80%99t recognize their relationships, such as resettling in a more tolerant country where neither member originates, enduring constant fear of seeing their undocumented partner deported, or opting for a sham citizenship marriage with a member of the opposite sex. Rickard recounts the byzantine hoops through which she and Karin jump, including savings-draining trips abroad every six months to keep in compliance with Karin%E2%80%99s visa. Their story demonstrates the strain these laws take on couples and the families they are forced to leave behind much of the year. Rickard puts a human face on a political issue and offers actionable steps for her readers: encouraging them to support the United American Families Act and contact their congressmen or women. (May)