Last week, Deepak Bhargava, Executive Director of the Center for Community Change, gave the opening keynote address at the National Conference on LGBT Equality: Creating Change Conference.

In an article published yesterday on Huffington Post with Rea Carey, Executive Director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, the two wrote of the important link between LGBT Americans and immigration rights.

Many people don’t think the issues about immigration and LGBT are connected in some way. But they are. They share common feelings such as being concealed, feeling secrecy and shame, living under hiding and fearful feelings every day.

President Obama spoke about both these issues in his inauguration speech, showing that gay rights and immigration rights will be priorities for his administration.

As an immigrant, I remember the main reason for my family to come to the U.S. was because we have always seen it as a country that values freedom and equality regardless of race, gender, class. As a new citizen, I am proud and honored of being an American. And hopefully President Obama will be successful in his campaign seeking equality for LGBT Americans and undocumented immigrants.