Previous (same sex) relationship.

It depends on what type of annullment you had.  I know there are legal annullments but what peedal was referring to was a Catholic annullment, which is not a legal dissolution of marriage-you can only apply for an annullment through your local archdiocese after your marriage has been legally dissolved.  So if you're talking about a Catholic annullment, then yes, you would just say duvorced and provide papers.

Sorry, off-topic slightly, but since I know a bit about this area I thought I would throw it in in case anyone was interested.

 Don't be surprised if applying for a fiancee visa to be with a man raises some eyebrows after being in a gay relationship for 17 years and likewise, don't be surprised if your application is denied.

Are you saying it would be denied if I omitted information about my previous relationship--which I understand and agree with;
or are you saying that it would be denied if I was in a relationship with a woman and now am in a relationship with a man.
That is discriminatory and I am sure I could appeal it successfully. I have lots of proof that my relationship with my fiance is real.
Anyway, my understanding, based on what I was told at the beginning of this thread and have read elsewhere,  is that UK immigration is very fair when it comes to dealing with gay people. I would assume that bisexual comes into that category.

It depends on what type of annullment you had.  I know there are legal annullments but what peedal was referring to was a Catholic annullment, which is not a legal dissolution of marriage-you can only apply for an annullment through your local archdiocese after your marriage has been legally dissolved.  So if you're talking about a Catholic annullment, then yes, you would just say duvorced and provide papers.

I was asking about legal annulment. If you have a Catholic annulment but are legally divorced, then you are legally divorced.  Not really an issue.

My analogy was more towards the having been in a long-standing relationship and then trying to back-pedal as if it never existed...

I was asking about legal annulment. If you have a Catholic annulment but are legally divorced, then you are legally divorced. Not really an issue.

Uh...yeah.  That's exactly what I said.  I was actually replying to the post just before mine and not to you.

My analogy was more towards the having been in a long-standing relationship and then trying to back-pedal as if it never existed...

Yes, I understood that. I do not want to pretend the relationship never happened.  I wanted to know what someone would actually do in that situation, which is why I asked what would be done if a marriage were annulled. I thought the situation was similar.  I can provide the proper paperwork. It's not a problem. On the other hand, I would like to avoid "raising eyebrows" if it's completely unnecessary, and I'm not violating an regulations.

I suppose I really have to try to contact the consulate on that one. I will try another one besides New York. The reason I was hoping to ask New York is they would be more familiar with the situation.

I don't know how familiar any Consulate is going to be with a situation like this one, to be honest.  You have to admit that it is FAR from routine.

Are you saying it would be denied if I omitted information about my previous relationship--which I understand and agree with;
or are you saying that it would be denied if I was in a relationship with a woman and now am in a relationship with a man.
That is discriminatory and I am sure I could appeal it successfully. I have lots of proof that my relationship with my fiance is real.
Anyway, my understanding, based on what I was told at the beginning of this thread and have read elsewhere,  is that UK immigration is very fair when it comes to dealing with gay people. I would assume that bisexual comes into that category.

I was simply giving my opinion.  Your situation is unusual which was why I said not to be surprised if your application was denied.  I don't know how many applications come in where someone has been in a gay relationship for 17 years and then applies for a fiance visa with someone they have known less than a year.  

Who says I have know him for less than a year? We have been internet friends for over 2 years. We were phone friends before I left my partner.  My previous relationship was an abusive one. Do I need to supply proof of that?

If I were married to a man for 17 years, divorced, and married another man, would it raise eyebrows? If I had a relationship with another woman after leaving my partner, would it raise eyebrows? Why should the fact that I am a monogamous bisexual mean that my relationships should be considered differently.

I'm out of this Springer show...you do what you want however you want - you seem to know the *best* way of doing everything you ask questions about anyway...

I'm out of this Springer show...you do what you want however you want - you seem to know the *best* way of doing everything you ask questions about anyway...

I'm with Peedal on this one.  I have no clue why you bother asking people anything when you're already an expert on everything and anything. 

I'm out of this Springer show...you do what you want however you want - you seem to know the *best* way of doing everything you ask questions about anyway...

Oh, because I am bisexual it suddenly becomes a Springer show.  Very nice. That says a lot about you.  How do you feel about all the other gay people that post here? Unless you don't believe that a person can be bisexual and in a committed, monogamous relationship. In which case you  are just ignorant.

I did not really want to discuss my bisexuality; I commented on it because Kristi made a comment about it "raising eyebrows."

I ask questions because I want advice. I listen to the advice and use my judgement.

Funny, but on the "other" board--I know I'm not supposed to mention that board, but I think it's appropriate--the general consensus was not to mention the relationship at all, which by the way, I felt was wrong, I was planning to mention it from the start.

I apologize for going to official websites and doing research myself. Sorry if I hurt anyone's egos. There are times when the information I receive from people on message boards conflicts with "official" information.  There are times when people report their personal experiences as if they were universal. I would rather go to the source, if I can. That doesn't mean I am not interested in other people's experiences or advice.

I'll contact one of the Consulates and find out.

I will comment only to this extent:

As far as mentioning "the other board" - that's not a problem here.  It's mentioning this one over there that can get one banned.    You want warm fuzzies instead of sane advice - then you're welcome to stay there.

OK, Wishstar does't appear to be around at the moment, so I'll comment here since it seems this topic might come to me anyway.

Let's try to keep this civil, shall we?  I think perhaps we're all getting a bit heated and although I don't think anyone intends it, people are starting to feel attacked.  So why don't we all take a step back.

Oh, because I am bisexual it suddenly becomes a Springer show.  Very nice. That says a lot about you.  How do you feel about all the other gay people that post here? Unless you don't believe that a person can be bisexual and in a committed, monogamous relationship. In which case you  are just ignorant.

Now any of us here who know anything about peedal know that she has absolutely no problem with gay people.  I think by "Springer show" she merely meant that this thread is becoming a bit of a circus.  Since she has even commented in this thread about how she feels your previous relationship is a valid one, I'm not sure why you're suddenly implying that she has a problem with gay people or bisexuality.

I did not really want to discuss my bisexuality; I commented on it because Kristi made a comment about it "raising eyebrows."

But this entire threas is about your bisexuality, is it not?  The question is about whether your previous homosexual relationship will affect the status of your current heterosexual one.  I understand that you do not want to discuss the whys and wherefores of your sex life, but your bisexuality is the main issue here, isn't it?  And I'm sorry to say it might very well raise some eyebrows.  Has your intention to marry a man after 17 years with a woman not raised any eyebrows among people you know?
Nobody here is judging you.  We're just trying to present all possibilities, and one very real one is that Immigration-who, let us keep in mind, are suspicious of everyone-might wonder at the circumstances of your engagement.  Sorry, but the fact is they might.  You should be prepared for that.

I ask questions because I want advice. I listen to the advice and use my judgement.

Excellent.  We're here to give advice.  Just please don't think that we are all against you if our advice isn't advice you agree with.

Funny, but on the "other" board--I know I'm not supposed to mention that board, but I think it's appropriate--the general consensus was not to mention the relationship at all, which by the way, I felt was wrong, I was planning to mention it from the start.

And your point here is...?  That we are more honorable than they? (Since I know you've mentioned your strict ethical code.)  That's nice to hear, and makes us all feel good, but not really relevant.  Mention away if it makes you happy, though, by all means.

I'll contact one of the Consulates and find out.

Please let us know what they say!

Does anyone else have any advice?  I'm thinking it's a good time to end the discussion of ethics and gay relationships.  It's interesting, though, and if anyone wants to take it up in Pettifog feel free.

Oh, because I am bisexual it suddenly becomes a Springer show.  Very nice. That says a lot about you.  How do you feel about all the other gay people that post here? Unless you don't believe that a person can be bisexual and in a committed, monogamous relationship. In which case you  are just ignorant.

I think you'll find that homo/hetero/bisexuals are welcomed here.  Nobody knew you were bisexual until you brought it up.  And nobody cared.

I was just unloading the dishwasher and thinking about your thread.  I'm just wondering why you're intent on "hiding" a serious, again, legally recognised relationship with a woman?  The only thing I can think is that you're afraid of your sexuality being questioned.  If that's something you can't explain, then you really don't need to be applying for a fiancee' visa at the moment.   It's also kind of a sad statement since so many gay/bi couples are working so hard to gain the right to have legally recognised unions in the US at the moment--and here you are wanting to "forget" about yours for the sake of a visa application.