We were shocked to find out on Saturday that our friend Allan Spyere, a selfless and true champion of the LGBT community, is facing imminent deportation. Allan, a native of Brazil, who, despite being married to his American-born husband Chris and having called the United States home for years now, is being detained at the Otay Detention Facility. Allan is facing deportation by the Immigration and Naturalization Services (INS) because he does not have full citizenship. He is facing deportation within the next two weeks.
As you will see below, Mike has written a heartfelt letter to vouch for Allan Spyere's impeccable character. We have faxed and emailed this letter of appeal to the Congress representative and City Councilmember of San Diego and ask for you, the reader, for your support in doing the same.
Just realize, folks, how homophobia impacts us all, in very real ways. Discriminatory legislature, such as the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), treats each and every one of us in the gay community as second-class citizens. This has to stop. And this must stop now. We must immediately stand together and stand up for our equal rights and demand the immediate and full repeal of DOMA, so that upstanding individuals, such as Allan Spyere, are not to face such dastardly consequences.
For more detailed information, please watch the following video:
And write, call, email, or fax your thoughts or plea to:
Attention: Congresswoman Susan Davis
Attention: City Councilmember Todd Gloria
On behalf of Allan, I thank you for rallying on his behalf and for showing your support in his time of need.
If you want to correspond with me directly, please write me on Facebook:
Mike Ruiz:
Please read my letter of appeal to both Congresswoman Susan Davis and to City Councilmember Todd Gloria on behalf of my friend Allan Spyere, which is self-explanatory. I urge you to also reach out to them, as well.
Thank you so much
Lotsa love,
Mike
Dear Sir/Madam:
As a naturalized U.S. citizen born in Montreal, Canada, I understand too well the intrinsic value that the United States has afforded me in being able to live out my dream. As such, I have not taken this privilege lightly. Almost two decades of steadfast and hard work, I count myself as one of the lucky ones to have been able to follow my passion into a profession as a successful celebrity photographer.
Hand-in-hand with my success, I also realize the importance of giving back to the peoples of the country that has received me with open arms. In this regard, I have tasked myself with being a socially responsible human being, seeking to share some of the prosperity with the less fortunate and disenfranchised. As a consequence, I have become an ardent supporter of various community-driven organizations. In the process, I have made it my clarion call to surround myself with like-minded people whose intent is to foster the growth and general well-being of our fellow citizens.
In the course of my humanitarian and charitable efforts, I became acquainted and later befriended an individual who is the embodiment of honesty, compassion, and selflessness. His name is Allan Spyere. Allan and I became quickly became friends, as he was the consummate professional in serving as liaison between me and the San Diego City Commissioner, who bestowed upon me the 2011 Harvey Milk Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Arts. More saliently, Allan was also instrumental in successfully organizing one of my book signings for my coffee table book -- a collaborative effort where 100 percent of the profits from the sale of my book is donated to a nonprofit organization, The Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC).
It has come to my attention that despite the fact that Mr. Spyere is married to an American citizen, he is faced with deportation to his native country, Brazil. The issue at hand is that Mr. Spyere is married to his husband -- a marriage that, though legal in the State of California, is not a federally recognized union. Hence, Mr. Spyere is caught in a bureaucratic dilemma regarding his status as an alien in this country and is at risk for imminent deportation.
I am, along with hundreds of Allen's friends and supporters, making a personal plea to the Department of Immigration and Naturalization Services (INS) to reconsider the deportation of Allan Spyere and allow him to continue living in the country he loves and calls home. This appeal is based on the extraordinary merit of his infallible character and based on the many invaluable contributions he has made to his community and to the country, such as the ones I described above.
Thank you for your attention and hoping for a swift reversal in the decision to deport Allan Spyere.
Sincerely,
Mike Ruiz
Follow Mike Ruiz on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mikeruiz1
2. Was detained on a DUI charge
3. His student visa expired and violated the law by overextending his stay in the United States
4. He failed to return to Brazil to renew his visa or apply for an extension
5. By entering the country on a visa he agreed to not violate and laws
6. Failed to notify Social Secucity Aministration to cxl his visitor's social security #
7. Renewed his driver license after his visa expired and social security # expired
8. Worked at Bacchus House Night Club in San Diego illegally
9. Worked at NUMBERS NIGHT CLUB IN SAN DIEGO ILLEGALLY as a bartender / Promotions
10. Worked at "F ST Corporation Adult Store" as Public Relations
11. Christopher Pfiel is his lover not his husband
12. San Diego City Council failed to notice that he was in the US illegally?
Even if he were in a hetrosexual marriage, he would most likely have to return to Brazil and wait for his spous to sponsor him. With so many connections he could have had one of his "friends" sponsor him to stay. So he either forged documents to work at all these night clubs in San Diego, or all the night club owners knew! The fines that these clubs risk are enough to put so many other employees out of work.
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peace my friend.
What is wronf witho our politicians.