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Dear ,
We hope you will invite colleagues, counterparts, and friends to Saturday's GLIFAA Holiday Party at MOVA Lounge this Saturday, December 18th from 8pm onwards.
Important News! The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) implemented same-sex benefits for partners abroad. See more info below. Happy Holidays & Happy New Year
-The GLIFAA Board |
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Message from GLIFAA President Jon Tollefson
To all corners of the world, to those throughout the United States, and to those right here in Washington, happy holidays to you and your families!
This has been a good year for GLIFAA, highlighted by the Secretary's powerful remarks on LGBT equality in June. She set the stage for the Department and for activists and leaders across the world to advance the cause of LGBT equality. She followed her remarks with a video to LGBT youth in October, telling them, "Tomorrow will be better."
This year, the State Department and USAID amended their Equal Employment Opportunity statements to include gender identity. The State Department amended its policies to allow transgender Americans to more easily match the gender listed in their passport to their identity. And more the ever before, the State Department and USAID have incorporated LGBT issues into their work at every level. From that living room with just over a dozen people in 1993, GLIFAA has advanced beyond what many would have believed. It has done so because of the perseverance of every individual who believed that step-by-step the Department, and indeed the world, would change.
We have much more to do, and we look forward to working with our friends and colleagues in the State Department, USAID, other agencies, and nongovernmental organizations to remove discrimination and protect human rights. Members have sent in great ideas and offered their services in the coming year - please consider doing the same. Please also pay membership dues so that we can continue and expand our work.
Finally, I am confident that we will soon be toasting our colleagues in the military and Department of Defense on the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell. We commend the House of Representatives for again passing the repeal and now call on the Senate to follow suit.
It is time to stop filibustering this change that 77% of Americans support. For those in Washington, see you at the GLIFAA Holiday Party this Saturday. Otherwise, please email me your ideas or issues at tollefson@glifaa.org. Happy Holidays, Jon
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Current, new, and prospective members are all invited - as well as family, friends, girlfriends, boyfriends, colleagues and counterparts are welcome!
Location: MOVA (Halo) Loung
1535 P Street NW
(Between 15th and 14th on P Street across from Whole Foods)
Metro: Dupont Circle
Saturday, December 18th
8:00pm - ?? |
 CDC Policy for Same-Sex DP Benefits!
REF: A. HHS HUMAN RESOURCES MANUAL INSTRUCTION
B. 301-1
C. OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT - RELEASE DATE NOV 2
D. 2010; B) DSSR SECTION 040M
SUMMARY: This message outlines procedures for CDC
civil service employees assigned overseas to obtain
recently approved benefits and allowances for same-
sex domestic partners in accordance with ref a.
1. Effective the date of this message, in accordance
with a recent HHS policy change, certain CDC
employees assigned to overseas duty stations are
eligible for enhanced benefits for their same-sex
domestic partner (SSDP). Specifically, documented
SSDPs are defined as family members under ref b.
Accordingly, the following benefits are available:
a. Inclusion of one SSDP on employee's travel orders
for transfer to/from posts abroad, including
shipment of household effects.
b. Approved SSDPs and his/her accompanying
dependent children may be included in the
calculation of overseas allowances, including Living
Quarters Allowance, Post (Cost of Living Allowance),
Education Allowance, and other allowances as
provided for in the Standardized Regulations
(Government Civilians, Foreign Areas) published by
the Department of State (the DSSR) and available at:
http://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=231&
menu_id=92
c. Inclusion of SSDP and his/her accompanying
dependent children as a family member for emergency
evacuation and subsistence payments during emergency
evacuations from posts abroad.
d. If the SSDP or dependent child is a United States
citizen, diplomatic or official passports based on
the type of passport issued to the sponsored
employee.
e. Inclusion of the SSDP and his/her accompanying
dependent children in family size calculations for
the purpose of making overseas housing assignments.
f. Family member preference for employment for
overseas local hire positions abroad under State
Department employment authorities and regulations
(i.e., FMA and PSA hires) - This preferences does
not extend, however, to civil service and other
positions CDC processes through HHS or CDC
headquarters HR processes.
g. SSDP and his/her accompanying dependent children
use of State Department health units abroad, subject
to medical clearance and State Department
regulations.
h. SSDP and his/her accompanying dependent children
medical evacuation and payment of certain additional
medical expenses, subject to medical clearance and
State Department regulations.
i. Emergency travel for SSDP to visit gravely ill or
injured family members and visitation upon death of
family members, under CDC emergency visitation
policies and procedures.
j. SSDP and his/her accompanying dependent children
inclusion in Home Leave and Rest & Recuperation
travel based on the sponsoring employee's
eligibility.
2. Which CDC employees are covered under this new
policy?
This new policy covers CDC Civil Service employees
(appointed under either Title 5 and Title 42)
assigned to an overseas duty station.
Specifically EXCLUDED from coverage under this
policy change are Commissioned Corps personnel,
Locally Employed Staff hired in country or paid
under a Local Compensation Plan, commercial
contractors, grantees, and other individuals who are
not CDC employees.
3. What is the date for implementation of this
policy?
The effective date is the date of this message
(December 8, 2010). All benefits will be paid on a
prospective basis. To receive benefits, employees
must complete a new SF-1190 and file a completed,
signed affidavit.
4. Will opposite sex partners be covered under the
new policy?
This policy is an implementation of the President's
directive which specifically calls for extension of
benefits to same-sex partners.
5. Are the children of same sex partners covered as
family members under this policy?
Yes. Provided that it is not contrary to an existing
court order and the child is legally the child of
the partner. The child must be unmarried and under
21 years of age or, regardless of age, are incapable
of self-support. Eligible children include, in
addition to natural offspring, step and adopted
children and those under legal guardianship of the
employee or of the SSDP when such children are
expected to be under such legal guardianship at
least until they reach 21 years of age and when
dependent upon and normally residing with the
guardian. Any child or children of a SSDP of an
employee is to be deemed for this purpose a
stepchild of the employee.
6. Will SSDPs and their children fall under Chief of
Mission authority?
Yes, SSDPs of assignees to U.S. missions abroad
which are included under this policy will be under
COM authority while at an overseas post (including
for the purposes of authorized and ordered
evacuation from post and adherence to Security
Awareness and Contact Reporting Policy) to the same
degree as other family members. (Note: CDC detailees
to International Organizations and their SSDPs are
not assigned abroad under COM authority.)
7. What are the steps needed to obtain benefits as a
SSDP?
To obtain benefits for an employee's SSDP:
(1) the employee assigned or being assigned overseas
must complete a notarized (by notary or embassy
consular officer) affidavit of eligibility for
benefits and obligations. A copy of the affidavit
form for completion and signature may be obtained
from cgh-gam@cdc.gov;
(2) the employee must complete an updated SF-1190 to
include the SSDP. The employee will use the form SF-
1190 to list any and all his/her accompanying
dependent children (and their ages) of the partner
for whom travel orders or overseas allowances and
benefits will be requested along with any applicable
court orders that are related to custody of the
children;
(3) forward the completed SF-1190 and affidavit with
CDC Global Assignments Management Team which will
coordinate with the appropriate HR generalist in
Atlanta;
(4) the SSDP and his/her accompanying dependent
children must also have or obtain a valid medical
clearance (or administrative waiver) for the post of
assignment. Those already at post should follow the
procedures for a newly acquired dependent - they
will be given access to the overseas health unit for
up to 90 days pending completion of their medical
clearance. If the SSDP or his/her accompanying
dependent children do not receive a clearance or
waiver, they will be ineligible under State
Department regulations for health program access.
(NOTE: It is important to remember that SSDPs should
have or acquire health insurance as the Government
acts only as a secondary payer in event of overseas
hospitalization.)
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Nominate LGBT Individuals to Service to America Awards!
We are accepted most when we prove ourselves to be the best we can be. Take a minute and nominate that successful LGBT individual!
Call for 2011 Service To America Medals (Sammie) Awards
Nominations -- Due January 31, 2011
The Partnership for Public Service is a nonprofit, nonpartisan
organization that works to revitalize our Federal Government by
inspiring a new generation to serve and by transforming the way
government works. The Partnership sponsors the prestigious national awards program called the Service to America Medals Awards Program, also known as the "Sammie" Awards.
This awards program is designed to recognize the accomplishments of America's public servants by paying tribute to a dedicated Federal workforce, highlighting those who have made significant contributions to our country. Honorees are chosen based on their commitment and innovation, as well as the impact of their work on addressing the needs of the nation. Awardees are announced each fall at a dinner and awards ceremony in Washington, D.C.
Nominators may review the:
- Nomination Process at
http://servicetoamericamedals.org/SAM/nominations/
- General Eligibility rules at
http://servicetoamericamedals.org/SAM/program/eligibilityrequirements.shtml
- 2011 Form at
http://servicetoamericamedals.org/SAM/nominations/form_2011.php
Nominations will be accepted by the Partnership for Public Service
until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) on January 31, 2010. All nominations must be submitted per the Partnership's instructions and deadline.
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USAID Extention of LWOP for Same-Sex Family Support
Subject: Extension of 24-Hour Leave Without Pay (LWOP) Family Support Policy To Same-Sex Domestic Partners of Federal Employees
In his June 2, 2010 memorandum, President Obama directed Federal agencies to take immediate action to extend certain benefits to same-sex domestic partners of Federal employees, and where applicable, to the children of same-sex domestic partners of Federal employees, to the maximum extent permitted by law. (Please refer to Notice 07140, dated 07/28/2010, "Implementation of the President's Memorandum Regarding Extension of Benefits to Same-Sex Domestic Partners of Federal Employees Including Coverage under the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program.")
Further, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has directed Federal agencies to implement section 1(a)(vi) of the President's memorandum to permit employees to use 24 hours of leave without pay (LWOP) to provide family support for the children or elderly relatives of their same-sex domestic partners.
Note that this policy expands a family-friendly initiative of President Clinton in 1997 to encourage Federal agencies to make 24 hours of unpaid leave available to Federal employees to help employees meet their family demands. President Clinton then directed Federal agencies to assist employees by ensuring that employees may schedule and be granted up to 24 hours of LWOP for three purposes including:
(1) Participation in school activities directly related to the
educational advancement of a child;
(2) Accompanying their children to routine medical or dental
appointments, such as annual checkups and vaccinations; and
(3) Accompanying their elderly relatives to routine medical or dental appointments or other professional services related to the care of the elderly relative, such as making arrangements for housing meals, telephones, banking services, and other similar activities.
The recent OPM guidance related to President Obama's memorandum augments and expands President Clinton's earlier directive to Federal agencies. President Obama's memorandum specifies that employees with same-sex domestic partners may request to use 24 hours of LWOP in a leave year for the following reasons:
(1) School and Early Childhood Educational Activities: Employees may request LWOP to participate in school activities directly related to the educational advancement of the children of an employee's same-sex domestic partner. This includes parent-teacher conferences or meetings with child-care providers, interviewing for a new school or child-care facility, or participating in volunteer activities supporting the child's educational advancement. "School" refers to an elementary school, secondary school, Head Start program, or a child-care facility.
(2) Routine Family Medical Purposes: Employees may request LWOP to accompany the children of their same-sex domestic partners, to routine medical or dental appointments, such as annual checkups or vaccinations.
(3) Elderly Relatives' Health or Care Needs: Employees may request LWOP to accompany the elderly relative of their same-sex domestic partners to routine medical or dental appointments or other professional services related to the care of the elderly relative, such as making arrangements for housing, meals, phones, banking services, or other similar activities.
Employees should be aware that the 24-hour LWOP family support policy does not give them an entitlement to the 24 hours of LWOP. Employees have a right to request LWOP subject to the right of supervisors to approve or disapprove the leave request. Supervisors must balance support for each employee's need for time away from the workplace with the employee's work requirements so that the individual's absence does not hinder the efficiency or effectiveness of work operations.
The Office of Human Resources will incorporate language in ADS 480, Leave, to include this new policy. Agency leave policies already permit employees to request LWOP for such purposes. Currently, LWOP may be granted to employees for any reasonable purpose including fulfillment of parental or family responsibilities such as those mentioned above. Employees, of course, always have the option to request paid leave (accrued sick leave or annual leave, as appropriate) or compensatory time off for family support purposes instead of LWOP.
OPM has provided Federal agencies with a list of frequently askedquestions (FAQs) regarding the 24-hour LWOP family support policy
located at
http://www.opm.gov/oca/leave/html/24HoursLWOPQA.asp
Any questions concerning this notice may be directed to Joann Jones, OHR/PPIM, (202) 712-5048.
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Donate! - LGBT Foreign Affairs Scholarship
The LGBT Foreign Affairs Scholarship Board will award one $2,500 scholarship to a disadvantaged student who plans to intern in a foreign affairs-related field. The LGBT Foreign Affairs Scholarship serves as need and merit-based financial aid for students pursuing degrees and/or careers in foreign affairs.
The fund helps reduce the personal costs for students in high cost housing areas such as Washington, DC or in other world capitols or cities. The Scholarship partners with GLIFAA to foster knowledge of international issues and careers for disadvantaged youth.
The scholarship committee will award the scholarship based on the following criteria:
Demonstrated financial need
Demonstrated strong interest in working in foreign affairs
A committed LGBT advocate
Attainment sophomore status or higher
Contact Ashton Giese to find out more about the organization. Email lgbtscholarship@glifaa.org.
GLIFAA
P.O. Box 18774
Washington, DC 20036-8774
Memo: "Scholarship"
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