Torn Apart: United by Love, Divided by Law - Softcover

"Rickard puts a human face on a political issue and offers actionable steps for her readers: encouraging them to support the United American Families Act and contact their congressmen or women." --"Publisher's Weekly" (March 28, 2011)

"Incredible tales of 'Rube Goldberg' type arrangements by American citizens simply to be able to stay with their foreign partner . . . readable and important. . . . The stories are the power and she doesn't dilute them." --www.DavidMixner.com

"A compelling wake-up call . . . inspiring, often sad, even infuriating, tales of same-sex couples caught in the machinations of antiquated U.S. immigration policy . . . chockfull of ideas for how to help." --"Windy City Times"

"[In "Torn Apart"] you'll meet people willing to fight for their relationships, expatriate themselves for their relationships, and bankrupt themselves for their relationships. This book is really a collection of love stories, detailing the lengths people are willing to go to in order to preserve our families." --Angel Curtis, "OutSmart Magazine "(April 2011)

"Torn Apart is a poignant reminder that our country must change our immigration policies to keep families together, not split them apart . . . [this book] should instill in all of us a sense of urgency to right this wrong."--Mike Honda, congressman, California

"[In Torn Apart] you'll meet people willing to fight for their relationships, expatriate themselves for their relationships, and bankrupt themselves for their relationships. This book is really a collection of love stories, detailing the lengths people are willing to go to in order to preserve our families."--Angel Curtis"OutSmart Magazine" (04/04/2011)

The horrors that thousands of lesbian and gay couples face are detailed in this moving political and personal story of immigration and love. As Judy and Karin’s legal battles reveal, when only one half of a gay couple is an American citizen, immigration struggles are confounded by the fact that the partners cannot legally marry in most parts of the United States. With resources that outline which organizations can help and what the challenges and the realities of this situation are, this reference reaches out to couples, their friends and family, and anyone interested in assisting by offering advice and camaraderie on this subset of the gay marriage issue. Royalties from the book, which is published in association with Immigration Equality and Out4Immigration, go to groups working to overcome immigration denial for gay couples.