With No Shortcut to a Green Card, Gay Couples Leave U.S.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/18/us/with-no-shortcut-to-a-green-card-gay-couples-leave-us.html?pagewanted=2&_r=0&smid=tw-nytimes&partner=rss&emc=rss

This is where the UK system in comparison is vastly more fair, humane and civilised.   Same-sex couples can come with their partners on the dependent visas with sworn affidavits and proof of relationship (shared utility bills, photographs, travels records, etc.).   Same-sex couples are treated the same as male-female couples by the UK.   

I'm convinced the US will get there, but it will be a slow, difficult and nasty process that will leave a wake of hardship with many couples.   

I believe the federal marriage law is being heard by the Supreme Court in June, so this could well change. I suppose we'll see. Though I will admit I'm confused by which part of the DOMA they're hearing and all the implications if it's deemed unconstitutional.

I thought two of my friends were going to have to leave the US for the same reason.  One is American, and her partner is Dutch.  Luckily, the Dutch partner got a work permit after graduating college, so they could stay together.  Had that work permit not happened, they'd have had to leave the US or break up.