Fighting for LGBT rights for foreign affairs emplyees
The GLIFAA Globe
 April 2009
In This Issue
Call for Candidates
GLIFAA Membership Mtg
Amb Burleigh Appointed Charge
GLIFAA Congressional Outreach
Submit Bio For PRIDE on State Website
GLIFAA Meetings & Events
GLIFAA Post Reps
LGBT News
Iraqi Gays Murdered!
2009 Out and Equal Summit
Federal Employee Reference Documents
Please Pay 2009 Dues here!

Please support GLIFAA!  Your contribution makes all that we do possible.
GLIFAA Main State Lunch
Every 2nd Friday of the Month in 1st Floor Cafeteria

This Month:
April 10

12-1pm

GLIFAA FSI Lunch
Every Last Friday of the Month near side-room 2107 in the Cafeteria

This Month:

April 24
12-1pm
USAID Lunch
Every Second Wednesday of the Month in the Post Office Pavilion

Next Month:
May 6
12-1pm

Email Rebecca Maestri and Ajit Joshi at  so we know to expect you!  Meet the group on the mezzanine (second floor) of the eatery.
Join Our Mailing List
Join the
MOH Network
Greetings!

GLIFAA will hold elections in May!  Please send your nominations (for others or yourself) - including a short description of the candidate - by Friday, May 1.  Our next newsletter will be the Election Issue - with descriptions of candidates and online voting process.

Those of you at Main State -- GLIFAA will hold its monthly 2nd Friday in the 1st Floor Cafeteria near the south windows on 10 April from 12-1pm.  Look for the GLIFAA signs.
 
Thanks!
 
-The GLIFAA Board

GLIFAA Board - 31 Mar 2009
GLIFAA's Current Board Members (left to right) Ajit Joshi (Policy), Kerri Hannan (Executive Director), Michelle Schohn (President), John Wiecking (Treasurer), Ashton Giese (Public Affairs/Outreach), Seliim Ariturk (Post Rep)
URGENT - Call for Candidates
GLIFAA Board Elections May 5 - 15

It is time for the annual election of the GLIFAA Board.  Elections will be held electronically for all paying members between May 5-15.  If you are thinking about expanding your leadership experience and want to get involved with a group on the front lines of advocating for GLBT rights for federal employees, then consider running for the board.  If you want to have a say in the leadership and participate in the elecction, please make sure to pay your dues by May 5.   

Nominations are due (for others or yourself) to [email protected] by Friday, May 1. 

Speak with President Michelle Schohn at State ([email protected]), Vice-President Kerri Hannan ([email protected]) or email GLIFAA to get more information or submit your name and position.

All positions are up for re-election:

President
Represents GLIFAA at public venues and in meetings with senior leadership (with other Board members), works with policy committee to set long-term agenda for GLIFAA, and serves as spokesperson for GLIFAA.

Vice President/Executive Officer
Ensures implementation of GLIFAA bylaws and oversees meetings, coordinator of member activities and outreach to new members, maintains archives and structure of organization while providing assistance to the President in the management of GLIFAA

Policy Director
Leads and establishes policies (working with policy and legal/visa team and Board) that affect LGBT community in foreign affairs agencies and in the federal government, oversees and provides guidance to the legislative and outreach team, LGBT and human rights advocacy organizations with domestic and international scope, and coordinates GLIFAA's responses to government policy decisions.  Also provides guidance to LGBT civil service team
 
Treasurer/Recording Secretary
Manages GLIFAA finances and budget, organizes GLIFAA's legal steps to becoming a 501 (c) 6 tax-exempt organization, ensures adequate finances for GLIFAA activities, reports to the board concerning finances,  responsible for drafting and clearing meeting minutes, and offers input on GLIFAA expenditures. 
 
Public Affairs and Communication Director
Responsible for overall communication for GLIFAA, including coordinating responses to media, maintaining a membership database, responding to all correspondence, drafting and distributing the newsletter, and overseeing the website (a priority in the coming year).

Outreach Director
Responsible for coordinating PRIDE events, planning monthly membership outreach events such as happy hours, meetings, and speaker events.  Manages contacts with other LGBT organizations in the US government and elsewhere in DC.
 
Post Representative Coordinator
Support LGBT related events at missions abroad, supervise the post representative network and actively participate in the MOH network, answer requests regarding conditions at foreign posts, and serve as focal point to address concerns of members abroad; must be a GLIFAA member serving abroad.
 
Other positions available
Besides the six voting board members, we have additional opportunities for interested GLIFAA members to serve in leadership positions in charge of committees (Membership, Legislative, Legal/Visa issues, Policy, Public Affairs, and MOH) or special projects (PRIDE).  Please let us know if you are interested in volunteering for a leadership role but don't want to serve on the board.
 
All are welcome, experienced GLIFAA members as well as newcomers.
Upcoming Events  
 
In NYC
Columbia University Presents: GLBT  Career Panel


Columbia's first GLBT career panel in international and public affairs will bring together students and professionals to discuss issues facing openly GLBT professionals serving in government, international
relations, and consulting fields. Panelists from the Dept. of State, United Nations, Capitol Hill, CIA, Booz Allen Hamilton, and McKinsey will speak about career experiences and opportunities, as well as trends and policy issues facing GLBT professionals and their partners. Steven Gee and Joshua Black, as well as other members from the Mission to the UN, will be representing GLIFAA. 

Columbia University
International And Public Affairs Building (IAB)
Room 707
420 W. 118th Street
New York, NY
 
Tuesday, April 14
6:30 - 8:30pm
Reception to follow

The Next
GLIFAA General Membership Meeting!
 
GLIFAA hopes to see all members at these monthly meetings every second Thursday of the month.
 

Location TBA
 
Thursday, April 16
6:30pm - 8:30pm


Library of Congress GLOBE Presents:
"How Did I get Here? Journey of a Gay Jewish Author" by Lev Raphael
 
Prize-winning pioneer writing about the gay Jewish experience, publisher of fiction about children of Holocaust survivors, author of classic collection Dancing on Tisha B'Av, and 18 other books.
 
 

Library of Congress
Madison Building, 6th Floor 
Dining Room West
Metro:  Capitol South
 
Thursday, April 23
12:00-1:00pm
Congratulations Ambassador Burleigh!
GLIFAA Member Appointed Charge d'Affairs India

Ambassador Burleigh GLIFAA has learned that one of our long time members, Ambassador Peter Burleigh, has been appointed interim Ambassador to India.  GLIFAA recognized Ambassador Burleigh in 2002 during GLIFAA's 10th year anniversary commemorative history book and thanked him, among other senior leaders, for their service as out-LGBT people in foreign affairs agencies.  We are thrilled to read about Ambassador Burleigh's appointment and look forward to working with him.

Ambassador Burleigh's previous post was at the University of Miami as a visiting Professor.  He previously served as Ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives (1995-1997) and in senior positions at the UN and at Main State. In 2000, Burleigh was awarded the Presidential Distinguished Service Award and the Secretary of State's Distinguished Service Medal
 
GLIFAA Congressional Outreach
Meet with your Representatives!
 
The GLIFAA board and our legislative outreach team are working hard to advance pro-equality legislation on the Hill - but we really need your
help!  Members of Congress will pay MUCH more attention to an issue if
they know it impacts someone from their very own district.  GLIFAA
member Selim Ariturk was recently in Washington and shares his Hill
experience:

I was in Washington during a recent R&R, spending time with family
and friends and showing my partner around the United States.  One day, my parents and my partner joined me for a trip to Capitol Hill to meet with my parents' elected representatives: Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) and Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL 18).  Due to scheduling difficulties on our end, we were unable to meet with Senator
Martinez's office.  Members of Congress will usually ask their staffers to meet with you, which is completely fine, as these staffers are very close to the Member and can tell you almost exactly what the Member is thinking.  We were thrilled, however, that Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen chose to meet with us in person.  We spoke to the
Congresswoman about how current immigration law impacts our family, and how I as a U.S. diplomat cannot even live in the United States
together with my partner.  The meeting was very positive, and I'd be
happy to share more details with anyone else who might be thinking of
making the trip. I also want to add that I'm looking for more people
with a Florida connection, as a staffer in Senator Nelson's office is working on some materials for him about the Uniting American Families
Act.  If you've got a partner who is not an American citizen, and you
are a Florida voter (or one of your family members is), please contact
me directly - I'd love to introduce you to this staffer.

Help us win over more votes!  Ask to meet with your elected representatives (or those of your stateside family) the next time you're in Washington.  And email Ralan Hill, our Legislative Outreach Team Leader, or the rest of the team (Aaron Schubert, Selim Artiturk) or Ajit Joshi, our Policy Director, for great tips and talking points that will help you prepare for your meetings.  GLIFAA members worldwide have great stories to tell about their service - and Members of Congress listen!  Help us make pro-equality legislation a reality.
 
State Website PRIDE Bios
Deadline April 15 for Bios to be placed on Website

DEADLINE: APRIL 15  - NEED 250 WORD BIO AND DIGITAL PHOTO FOR INCLUSION ON STATE DEPARTMENT WEBSITE FOR PRIDE
 
For the upcoming PRIDE celebration, the Bureau of Public Affairs, the Office of Civil Rights and the Bureau of Human Resources wish to feature GLBT employees on the Department's homepage.  GLIFAA is collecting short bios from members to be posted on the external website of the State Department.   Please submit a 250 word professional bio and a clear digital photo (preferably head shot or clear full length shot with little distraction in the photo) to Kerri Hannan.  These will be posted on the public site.  We are hoping for a good diversity of membership (male, female, married, children, all backgrounds) so please take a moment to submit by April 15.
 
  Link to the bios used to observe Black History Month.
 


 
Notes from the Policy Director
Ajit Joshi

Meetings with the Under Secretary and Director General

The GLIFAA Board met with Under Secretary Kennedy on March 24 and with Director General Thomas on March 25.  In both meetings, we spoke at length about GLIFAA's transition package and Secretary Clinton's statement at the Town Hall meeting that she is looking at same sex partner issues on a "fast track."  The Under Secretary stated that he has been following up on the Secretary's tasking as expressed in the town hall meeting.  He spoke with the Secretary as late as early Tuesday morning, March 24, before the meeting with GLIFAA later in the morning.  The Under Secretary said that GLIFAA's recommendations are with the Secretary for her review.  The GLIFAA board is cautiously optimistic about the possibility of forthcoming changes for same sex partners. For anyone that missed the town hall meeting, check out the Advocate's article.  We also spoke about our ideas for June LGBT Pride Month including ideas for a Pride event at State and the possibility of State participation during the Pride festival.  GLIFAA has been tasked to draft a Pride Proclamation statement.  Any GLIFAA member interested in providing input and ideas on the draft that the board has reviewed, please email Ajit at [email protected].  
 
Training Opportunities

The International Career Advancement Program (ICAP) is accepting applications for their one week leadership training in Aspen.  All GLIFAA members are encouraged to apply.  Visit the ICAP website at  to apply for the program.  Applications are due May 5.  GLIFAA board members Ajit Joshi and Kerri Hannan are alumni of the program.
 
GLIFAA Meetings and Events

GLIFAA has had several meetings this month: The GLIFAA Board met on March 13th and March 31, and also had a general meeting on March 26, 2009:

GLIFAA All Members' Meeting

Members attended a meeting at Bob Gilchrist's house.
   
    Treasurer John Wiecking reported that GLIFAA currently has 59 (later revised to 63) paid members, 28 more than in 2008 at this time.  Last year's expenses totalled $2,296.74.  He reminded members to pay dues through the website or by mailing a check to GLIFAA.

    Ajit Joshi reported on GLIFAA's activities during the transition.

  • Our policy paper is available for the world to read on www.change.gov, the transition Web site.  GLIFAA members met with Agency Review Teams at both State and USAID during December.  The State Department meeting focused on same-sex partners.  The team was supportive, but in a listening mode, making no commitments.  At USAID the meeting focused on maintaining LGBT issues in the economic development process.  The tone was one of "Let's see what we can do."
  • GLIFAA inspired a question to then-Secretary designate Clinton during her confirmation hearings. Secretary Clinton was also asked a question on our issues at her first Town Hall, eliciting a promise to put GLIFAA issues on a "fast track."

    GLIFAA is now awaiting the Secretary's response, continuing Board members' contacts with the Secretary and Under Secretary Kennedy.  Board members met with the Director-General earlier on March 26th.  He requested patience for a year; he and the Under Secretary have both counselled caution lest there be an unfavorable reaction from Capitol Hill.  Discussion ensued on the likelihood of such a reaction given the 2008 election results and ways to press forward.

    On the upcoming AFSA elections, we have two candidates running, one on a slate and one independent.  One slate failed to complete GLIFAA's questionnaire.  Michelle Schohn will post candidates' responses early in April.

    Members discussed how to mark GLBT Pride in June.  The Board is working on a draft proclamation for the Secretary and considering possible participants in a panel discussion that she might introduce.  The possibility of a reception to thank our supporters during the month was raised, as well as invitations to former Secretary Acheson's daughter Elly and Keith Boykin.  The Board appealed for volunteers to serve on a Pride committee.  Email Michelle Schohn to get involved.

    Ashton Giese reported on outreach.  Thirty students attended a presentation at Georgetown University on March 24.  Two members volunteered to met with interns from the Human Rights Campaign on March 31.  Columbia University has requested a lesbian Foreign Service Officer to participate in a panel discussion on April 13.  Ashton asked those present what they thought of the newsletter and Constant Contact.  The response was basically favorable.  There was further discussion of outreach to students based on the extremely favorable, even inspiring, experience at Georgetown:  it was agreed that Happy Hours don't work as students often cannot drink legally and it's hard to give GLIFAA visibility in a bar.  Bob Gilchrist asked whether M might consider funding and organizing an outreach event for GLIFAA as part of the Department's recruiting effort.  It was reported that the Under Secretary had expressed interest in GLIFAA attending next October's Out and Equal conference.

    Ajit Joshi asked members to update their entries in the database.  GLIFAA now has fifty post representatives around the world, but Selim Arit�rk is always looking for more.  One member asked if it would be possible to get help in fixing the Web site, which is in need of streamlining and updating.

    Ashton brought up a possible gay diplomats' conference and college outreach events, which might be scheduled in fall 2009.  We will need to identify gay and lesbian foreign diplomats in Washington.

FSI LGBT Course
Thanks to tireless efforts by David Tessler and others, there will be a one-day LGBT course at FSI on June 10.  Chris Hoh and Kerri Hannan will co-lead.  We need to fill the room. There will be an official announcement soon; HR and management officers should also be asked to take the course, either this time or whenever it is repeated.
Save the date for June 10, 2009 from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm for FSI's first LGBT course!  All GLIFAA members are encouraged to sign up and attend!
 
GLIFAA Outreach
The GLIFAA Board thanks Bob Gilchrist and Aaron Schubert for their coaching and mentoring to Interns working at the Human Rights Campaign.  They provided insight into the life of being LGBT and in the foreign service to the Interns on Tuesday, March 31, at HRC.
 
AFSA
We encourage all GLIFAA members who are AFSA members to vote in the AFSA elections.  Look for GLIFAA's survey's and our voting recommendations this month.
 
In the News
We also encourage members to visit organizations doing some very interesting LGBT work internationally: Global Equality and International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission
Get involved from abroad! 
GLIFAA Post Reps now at 55!!!
- Selim Ariturk, Post Rep Coordintator
 

We'd like to thank all of you who have volunteered to join our Post Rep network.  Post Reps play a valuable role in facilitating communications between post and Washington - we on the board need to know what's important to folks in the field.  And we're encouraged to see the great collaboration taking place between post reps worldwide. Keep up the great work, Post Reps!

Want to contact a Post Rep?  Look up one of the below names in the Global Address List, or email Post Rep Coordinator Selim Ariturk to be put in touch directly with a post's representative.  Want to join this
proud club?  Email Selim Ariturk to express your interest.

Current Post Reps:
  • John Degory                   Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire
  • Jeffrey Cochrane             Accra, Ghana
  • Melanie Rubenstein         Antananarivo, Madagascar
  • Karl Olson                      Baghdad, Iraq
  • Selim Ariturk                  Baku, Azerbaijan
  • Alexander Keith Hardin    Bangkok, Thailand
  • Chris Robinson                Belgrade, Serbia
  • David Maurice Jones        Belmopan, Belize
  • Kenneth Kero                  Berlin, Germany
  • Dexter Payne                 Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
  • Aaron Jensen                 Brussels, Belgium
  • Jan Krc                          Budapest, Hungary
  • Susan Shirley                Cairo, Egypt
  • Bryan W. Dalton             Chennai, India
  • Darren Bologna             Ciudad Juarez, Mexico
  • Matthew Paschke           Frankfurt, Germany
  • David L. Fierstine           Frankfurt,Germany
  • Taiyon J Coleman           Guadalajara, Mexico
  • Sandrine Goffard           Guangzhou, China
  • Nik Granger                 The Hague, Netherlands
  • Mark Weinberg              Harare, Zimbabwe
  • Angela R Dickey            Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
  • Steven Giegerich           Hong Kong, China
  • Nathan Hara                  Islamabad, Pakistan
  • Luke Zahner                  Jerusalem, Israel
  • Stephen Stark               Johanneburg, South Africa
  • Chuck Lisenbee             Khartoum, Sudan
  • Thomas W. Santos         Kyiv, Ukraine
  • Jon Tollefson                 Lagos, Nigeria
  • Christopher Baumgarten    Lima, Peru
  • Genevieve Shapiro            Lima, Peru
  • Eugene Sweeney               Lisbon, Portugal
  • Dick Custin                       London, UK
  • Sara A. Calvert                Managua, Nicaragua
  • Erin Krasik                      Moscow, Russia
  • Nicholas Cox                    Nairobi, Kenya
  • Jason Chue                      Nicosia, Cyprus
  • Erik Anderson                  Parmaribo, Suriname
  • Matthew Britton              Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
  • Raymond H Murphy, II     Pretoria, South Africa
  • John "Jeff" Daigle           PRT Babil, Iraq
  • Linda Hartsock               Quito, Ecuador
  • J. Ethan Tidwell              Rangoon, Burma
  • Jon Moody                     Reykjavik, Iceland
  • Timothy Eydelnant          Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
  • Robert Heater                Seoul, Korea
  • Mary Avery                   Singapore
  • Sarah Hutchison            Sofia, Bulgaria
  • Carl Watson                  St. Petersburg, Russia
  • Patrick R. Wingate         Tbilisi, Georgia
  • Melissa Schraibman         Tirana, Albania
  • Richard Polney                Toronto, Canada
  • James Holtsnider              Tunis, Tunisia
  • Jason Davis                    Valletta, Malta
  • Bill Salisbury                  Warsaw, Poland
In the News!
Marriage on the March...

Vermont Legislature Votes for Gay Marriage

Iowa Supreme Court Legalizes Gay Marriage
Council for Global Equality and Human Rights Campaign Call for Investigation into Iraqi Gay Murders
Homosexuality Illegal in Iraq

The Council for Global Equality and the Human Rights Campaign are calling on the U.S. State Department and U.S. officials in Baghdad to investigate reports suggesting that there has been an alarming wave of extrajudicial executions targeting Iraqi men who are perceived to be gay.  Some of the allegations are detailed in a front-page story in today's New York Times.  For more information see the Global Equality website.
 
Out And Equal 2009 Summit/Awards
Prepare to sign up for this year's events!
 
The all-LGBT workplace advocate organization, Out and Equal will hold its annual summit October 6-9, 2009 at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort in Florida.
 
 
Furthermore, Out and Equal will hold a Town Call (conference call) on March 26 at 3pm EST.
 
You may also nominate colleagues for Out and Equal's workplace awards starting April 1!
 
Get involved and go to Disney next fall!
Federal Employee Reference Documents
 
Sexual Orientation and Employment Discrimination: http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d02878r.pdf

Homosexuality in Foreign Militaries
DOD Policy on Homosexuality

Costs incurred to federal government b/c of DADT policy in military http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d06909r.pdf