Immigration Reform, Marriage and Gay Rights: When we look at LGBT issues and immigration, we have to expand our focus beyond marriage equality

Opinion: Like basically every other white person who happens to be a citizen of the United States of America, I'm the product of immigration. I come from long lines of farmers on both sides of my family, so I understand having an attachment to the land that goes beyond the simple idea of ''this is where I live.'' You can develop an almost mystical attachment to land you live on, a type of attachment that's not limited to rural lives — every major American city comes with its own ''personality,'' celebrated in novels and memoirs and films. But the truth is that the Buggs and Kintners didn't just spring from the Kentucky and Indiana soil. Our actual history goes back the Scots-Irish, German and basic mongrel white European background from which my ancestors decided to shove off for America. Some wanted a better life, some were leaving behind a bad life, and I'm sure more than few were told in no uncertain terms that they couldn't stay. Whatever the reason, I'm glad they did. This knowledge that I am here because a distant relative chose to leave another home behind has always fascinated me. It's also why I bought so heavily into the American narrative of Ellis Island and the melting pot — although I prefer a ''stew pot'' metaphor, because it takes a long time for all the flavors to blend, while still having the individual ingredients stand out. ... (more)

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