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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/03/world/us-to-give-equal-treatment-to-same-sex-spouses-visa-applications.html
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| U.S. to Give Equal Treatment to Same-Sex Spouses’ Visa Applications | U.S. to Give Equal Treatment to Same-Sex Spouses’ Visa Applications |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| LONDON — The United States will treat the visa applications of same-sex married couples in the same manner as opposite-sex spouses, Secretary of State John Kerry said Friday. | LONDON — The United States will treat the visa applications of same-sex married couples in the same manner as opposite-sex spouses, Secretary of State John Kerry said Friday. |
| The policy change, which will take effect immediately, will apply to American citizens as well as foreign same-sex couples, dependent only on the marriage having taken place in a jurisdiction that recognizes same-sex marriage. | The policy change, which will take effect immediately, will apply to American citizens as well as foreign same-sex couples, dependent only on the marriage having taken place in a jurisdiction that recognizes same-sex marriage. |
| “Effective immediately, when same-sex spouses apply for a visa, the Department of State will consider that application in the same manner that it will consider the application of opposite-sex spouses,” Mr. Kerry announced at the American Embassy here. | “Effective immediately, when same-sex spouses apply for a visa, the Department of State will consider that application in the same manner that it will consider the application of opposite-sex spouses,” Mr. Kerry announced at the American Embassy here. |
| “If you are the spouse of a U.S. citizen, your visa application will be treated equally,” he said. “If you are the spouse of a noncitizen your visa application will be treated equally.” | “If you are the spouse of a U.S. citizen, your visa application will be treated equally,” he said. “If you are the spouse of a noncitizen your visa application will be treated equally.” |
| After the Supreme Court struck down a section of the Defense of Marriage Act that defined marriage as a union between a man and woman, President Obama asked federal agencies to review their policies. Mr. Kerry said Friday that his announcement was the result of that review. | After the Supreme Court struck down a section of the Defense of Marriage Act that defined marriage as a union between a man and woman, President Obama asked federal agencies to review their policies. Mr. Kerry said Friday that his announcement was the result of that review. |
| Mr. Kerry said the State Department was “tearing down an unjust and an unfair barrier that for too long stood in the way of same-sex families being able to travel as a family to the United States. “ | Mr. Kerry said the State Department was “tearing down an unjust and an unfair barrier that for too long stood in the way of same-sex families being able to travel as a family to the United States. “ |
| “This is one of those moments when policy and values join together,” said Mr. Kerry, who noted that he had voted against the Defense of Marriage act as a senator. | “This is one of those moments when policy and values join together,” said Mr. Kerry, who noted that he had voted against the Defense of Marriage act as a senator. |
| Mr. Kerry spoke shortly after arriving in London from Pakistan. | Mr. Kerry spoke shortly after arriving in London from Pakistan. |
| Mr. Kerry plans to meet here with the foreign minister of the United Arab Emirates, Abdullah bin Zayed, to discuss Egypt, Syria and other Middle East issues. | Mr. Kerry plans to meet here with the foreign minister of the United Arab Emirates, Abdullah bin Zayed, to discuss Egypt, Syria and other Middle East issues. |
| England and Wales have legalized same-sex marriage starting next year. More than a dozen foreign countries have adopted laws legalizing same-sex marriage. | |
| “One of our important exports by far is America’s believe in the equality of all people,” Mr. Kerry said. | “One of our important exports by far is America’s believe in the equality of all people,” Mr. Kerry said. |