[L&M CAMARO 6]

Originally Posted by abaucom21

Some of you might hate me, some of you will understand. I have been torn dealing with issue for about ten years.

I moved to Canada more than ten years ago because I could not find employment in the US after returning from the ME. Fired from my teaching job in the ME because I was perceived as gay because I took a week off when my life partner of 20 years died on 9-11. Back in the US was unemployed for more than a year and I was only two months away from not being able to pay my mortgage. I was terrified of being homeless.

Dream job for more than ten years has been in Canada. Comfortable income and Canada healthcare that is important as I age. Also, as a prof. law indicates no retirement age so I can continue teaching for another ten years into my 70s. Also I have full equal rights as a gay male in Canada. In the states, I do not have equal rights. In the past 40 years I have been kicked out of housing because I was perceived as gay, fired from jobs because I was perceived as gay. Even experienced in the 1970s where it as illegal to serve mixed drinks to gays. In the states lived my entire adult life as a 3rd class citizen without equal rights but now in my old age I live in Canada with full equal rights.

For more than ten years been a "permanent resident" in Canada and in Canada I have equal rights. Would cost me more that $20,000 to move my stuff back to the US, could not afford US healthcare, etc. Currently as an expat can only spend about 28 days in the US or I loose my income earned abroad tax exemption. And if I move back to the states I will not have equal rights...I could still be kicked out of rental housing or denied service in restaurants in some states.

So at my age I have decided to stay in Canada and give up my USA citizenship for healthcare and equal rights. In the coming weeks going to process the documents to change my citizenship to Canada. This decision has been stressful and thought about it for ten years. My home is now Canada.

This has to be the most difficult life decision I have made, changing citizenship. The USA embassy in Canada has dicked me around for a few months, stalling sending me info and documents. I now have all the documents from Canada and the US. Going to file documents next week to process becoming a Canada citizen. Hopefully by the 1st of the year I will be a Canadian citizen.

Good for you wishing you only the best.