On Thursday morning, we received a frantic call from my lawyer and new BFF (that’s Best Friend Forever, Mom).
“When did you arrive in the country??” she asked in a panic.
Brain searched, trying to remember a life before this one. “Yikes! February 24th!”
“Right,” Dani responded, clearly in charge. “You’ve got 3 days to get your Brazilian Visa renewed. Tomorrow morning, I’m picking you up and we’re going to the Federal Police to get this taken care of.”
I told you about Dani and her wife Caren way back in January when I described all the amazing ways in which the planets aligned to bring us to Brazil. We met Dani and Caren when we were visiting Rio last September. When we told them that we were considering a move but concerned about immigration issues, they shared that because they were legally married in England (Caren’s English), Brazil recognized their marriage and gave Caren Permanent Residency status.
Dani and Caren are only the third gay couple in Brazil to have received residency in this way, and because Dani’s a lawyer, she was able to grease the wheels to make it happen. When I receive my Permanent Residency, we’ll be the fourth. The bonus of this plan is that in addition to getting a fantastic lawyer, we’ve made really beautiful friends.
I brought my camera along so that you could experience Immigration Purgatory for yourselves. Caren came along because her official residency card was finally ready and waiting at the Immigration Police, and Helena showed up after we realized that I’d forgotten a teeny-tiny piece of paper that would determine whether my Visa would be stamped again. What-EVER:
I’m legal for another 85 days! Hopefully that will give Brasilia enough time to find the immigration papers that we sent them months ago.
We went out for lunch to celebrate. As we toasted my small victory and Caren’s big one, this old favorite from Alanis Morrisette was playing in the background. I didn’t realize its significance until I woke up still singing it this morning.
I’ve got one hand in my pocket, and the other one’s waving a Brazilian flag!
Sa-weeee, Leigh! I had no doubt about you being able to stay there longer, I was just curious to see which route you were taking to deal with the Brazilian “bureaucracy”. That’s great to know that Brazil recognizes and accepts gay marriage. Who would think? Hugs!
The funny (not so funny) thing is that Brazil doesn’t seem to be any closer to making gay marriage legal here, but they recognize that they can’t impose the current lack of rights on others. We’ve had some pretty wonderful interactions with bureaucrats here who clearly want change, and believe in it. Others…not so much. When I’ve got some more time on my hands, this is something that H and I really want to work on.
Now we just have to find your dream girl so you and she can be Couple #5! Saudades voce, Dea!
Oh, and I forgot to tell you… everything is gonna be fine, fine over here too!
)
The other hand could be making a peace sign, or flipping the bird to bureaucracy in general…you pick Pooks!!
Today, it’s a peace sign. Smooch!