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美国同性配偶享受同等移民法

Last week, the U.S. Supreme¹ Court held that the federal government must recognize same-sex marriages just as it does for heterosexuals. The ruling has special significance for thousands of gay Americans married to foreign nationals or who plan to do so.

上星期，美国最高法院裁决，联邦政府必须和对待异性婚姻一样，承认同性婚姻。这项裁决对和外国人结婚的，或者打算和外国人结婚的美国同性恋者有着特殊的意义。

Swede Anna Olsson and American Michelle Bailey met two years ago, fell in love, and built a life together near Washington. Swedish pancakes have become a shared morning ritual.

瑞典人安娜?奥尔森和美国人米歇尔?贝利在两年前认识，并且相爱，一起住在华盛顿郊外。瑞典煎饼是她们常吃的早餐。

Neither can imagine life without the other.

两人都无法想象没有对方怎样生活。

"I just feel lucky. I mean, I never knew I could feel this good," said Bailey.

米歇尔?贝利：“我很幸运，我以前从来没想到会这么开心。”

"This is the love of my life, and I cannot wait to marry her," said Olsson.

安娜?奥尔森：“她是我这辈子的爱人，我迫不及待地要和她结婚。”

Michelle is a Web designer, Anna a university instructor². Until last week, the couple feared U.S. law would force them apart - or to move to Sweden - when Anna’s work visa expires.

米歇尔是网页设计师，安娜是大学讲师。一直到上星期，俩人都担心美国法律会把她们拆散，安娜担心她的工作签证到期后，她就不得不回瑞典。

"It is almost torture living under the threat of having to uproot³ yourself. It is not just a little right that is taken away from you, it is a life," said Olsson.

安娜?奥尔森：“一切重来，生活在这种威胁下，简直是折磨。这不仅仅是剥夺了你的一点权利，而且是全部生活。”

In March, Michelle and Anna stood outside the Supreme Court during oral arguments over the Defense⁴ of Marriage Act, which defined marriage as solely⁵ between a man and a woman under federal law. Last week’s ruling, striking it down, brought euphoria and relief.

今年3月，当法官们辩论保护婚姻法案时，米歇尔和安娜就等在最高法院外面。保护婚姻法案说，根据联邦法律，婚姻只限于一个男人和一个女人之间。上星期的裁决推翻了这项法案，让同性恋者感到欢欣鼓舞，如释重负。

"It was unbelievable joy. Thrilling and exciting and tears," said Michelle.

米歇尔?贝利：“难以置信的喜悦，让人惊喜，激动，流泪。”

"It was indescribable the feeling . It felt like I was flying for the rest of the day," said Anna.

安娜?奥尔森：“我的心情无法形容，接下来，我感到就像在飞一样。”

For years, immigration attorney Thomas Plummer has fought to keep bi-national gay couples together.

多年来，托马斯?普拉莫一直努力让不同国籍的同性恋人团圆。

"These families are now going to be treated equally under U.S. immigration law, which means that families here in the United States can begin planning their lives together. Couples in exile can plan their return, and families that are apart can reunite in the United States," said Plummer.

他说：“根据美国移民法，这些家庭将得到平等对待，也就是说，那些在美国的同性恋家庭可以开始安排共同生活了，流亡国外的同性配偶可以计划回国了，那些分裂的家庭可以回美国团圆了。”

Already, the Obama administration is weighing in. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano announced that immigration petitions for a same-sex spouse⁶ will be reviewed "in the same manner as those filed on behalf of an opposite-sex spouse."

奥巴马政府已经就此发表了意见，国土安全部部长珍妮特?纳波利塔诺宣布，同性配偶的移民申请会和异性配偶的申请得到一样的对待。

Michelle and Anna took part in U.S. Independence Day celebrations with added joy.

今年的美国独立日这一天，米歇尔和安娜更加开心。

"I have had my status elevated from second-class citizen. So I am feeling pretty darn good," said Michelle.

米歇尔?贝利：“我不再是二等公民了，感觉太棒了。”

"Having lived here for 10 years, I have never been as proud of America as I was on June 26 [when DOMA was struck down]," said Anna.

安娜?奥尔森：“我在这里住了10年了，6月26号那天，我为美国感到前所未有的骄傲。”

And what now for the couple?

那她们俩人现在有什么打算？

"We are planning to get married in the very near future. And yeah, we are staying. That is the main thing. It does not sound too exciting but it is," said Anna.

安娜?奥尔森：“我们打算赶快结婚。对了，我们不走了，这事很重要，听上去没什么了不起，可是太让人兴奋了。”

"We are just going to stay living our lives. Fixing the house up and whatever we normally do," said Michelle.

米歇尔?贝利：“我们在这里好好过日子，整修一下房子，干我们该干的。”