Brazilian man, Mass. husband rejoin in asylum case

[WillParkinson]

Source: The Associated Press

Brazilian man, Mass. husband rejoin in asylum case
By The Associated Press
06.07.2010 6:00am EDT

(Boston) A Brazilian man was reunited with his Massachusetts husband this week after U.S. Sen. John Kerry pressed federal officials to temporarily allow the 31-year-old gay man back into the country on humanitarian grounds.

Brazilian-born Genesio Oliveira rejoined Tim Coco, 49, of Haverhill, at an emotional reunion at Boston’s Logan International Airport.

Gay rights and immigrant advocates declared the case a rare victory for gay, married asylum seekers.

“I’m delighted,” said Oliveira, who married Coco in 2005 in Massachusetts where gay marriage is legal. “I’ve been waiting for this to happen. I never really undid my bags since returning to Brazil.”

Nearly three years ago, the couple split when Oliveira, nicknamed “Junior,” was forced to return to Brazil after being denied asylum in the U.S. because the federal government does not recognize same-sex marriages.

Read more: http://www.365gay.com/news/brazilian-man-mass-husband-rejoin-in-asylum-case/

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. Wow. Glad it was all worked out, but they were robbed of 3 years of their life together.

[Betty Karlson]

2. Glad to hear it.

Now let's start on working to prevent similar disasters, and repeal that ugly DOMA!