GLIFAA Globe -- Feb 2011 -- All Member Meeting 24 Feb

I've heard some Ugandans falsely cite a "study" that one in four homosexual men have sex with children. This view is no accident. It's pure propaganda straight from the most extreme parts of the American right wing.

Is it any wonder that we are beaten, and attacked, and raped? Is it shocking that our own government sanctions cruelty and murder? With such hate flooding in from overseas, is it any surprise that gay Ugandans who dare to speak up - like my friend David Kato - have lost their lives?

I have seen the ugly extremism of a few anti-gay Americans, but I have also witnessed kindness and courage from many more. Hundreds joined me this week in vigils for the Ugandan dead. And my friends at the Human Rights Campaign tell me that since they sent the message below more than 36,000 of you have signed a petition calling on radical American pastors to stop exporting hate abroad. I cannot tell you how much I thank you.

If you haven't signed the petition yet, I hope you will do so now. To all those who have raised their voice already, I hope you will continue to fight by passing on the message below to your friends and family. Thousands of Ugandans are counting on you.

We simply want our neighbors to understand that gay and lesbian Ugandans deserve dignity and respect. My organization, Sexual Minorities Uganda, has fought the "kill the gays" bill and will continue to advocate for the freedom to be who we are. But we need your help to stop American extremists who are making our struggle so much harder.

Thank you for speaking up.

Dear ,

GLIFAA would like to announce an all-members meeting for the 24th of February from 6pm - 8pm. The location will be determined. If you would like to volunteer your home or other venue, please contact GLIFAA soon.

See below for an important annoucement from President Jon Tollefson about the J-1 Visa Program.

2011 USAID Diversity Survey
We encourage USAID GLIFAA members to complete the (very brief) 2011 USAID Diversity Survey:
http://inside.usaid.gov/surveys/diversity/2011_diversity_survey.html

Please pay special attention to the LGBT-related questions. Note that you must have access to the internal USAID website to complete the survey. The deadline is February 18, 2011.

-The GLIFAA Board

Friday -- IMF-World Bank Valentine's Day Party: Recycle Love

The IMF and World Bank GLOBE invites GLIFAA to a joint IMF-World Bank Valentine's Day Party.
Adding a Valentine twist to the tale: Bring in the ex-significant other (or other friends) as we "Recycle Love" this year.

Location: Guiseppe Lombardo's residence

2148 Florida Ave NW
Metro: Dupont Circle

Friday, February 11th

9:00pm

Please RSVP

Tufts Fletcher School Networking Reception @ Tonic

Join Gay and Lesbian Students from Tufts University as they get to know DC!

Especially fellow Tufts alumni are welcome to network with future members of the foreign affairs community!

Location: Tonic Restaurant

2036 G Street NW

Come to the 3rd Floor - Look for GLIFAA Pins

Metro: Foggy Bottom

Friday, February 25th

5:30pm-7:30pm

Please RSVP to GLIFAA

J-1 Visa Program Approved for non-U.S. Citizen Same-Sex Partners of Foreign Service Employees!

Following the President's Executive Order from June 17, 2009, regarding benefits for same-sex domestic partners of federal employees, the State Department has formally announced a new J-1 visa program for non-U.S. Citizen same-sex partners of Foreign Service personnel. The new program will allow partners, most of whom could not come to the United States previously, to live and work here while their Foreign Service partners are on domestic assignments. The program is intended not to exceed five years, includes some coursework requirements, and unfortunately does not cover partners of civil service personnel or those returning to the United States for their last assignment. It is predicated, like all J-1 programs, on a non-immigrant assumption. Interested Foreign Service personnel (from all foreign affairs agencies) should contact their CDOs or assignment officers in HR to enroll. Please see 11 STATE 11470 for more information or contact us.

GLIFAA commends a number of individuals and offices for their leadership on this initiative, including Secretary Clinton, Counselor Mills, Under Secretary Kennedy, the Bureau of Human Resources, the Bureau of Consular Affairs, the Office of the Legal Advisor, the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, and the Foreign Service Institute. And thank you to former GLIFAA President Bob Gilchrist and GLIFAA Vice President Selim Ariturk for their hard work in advocating this program.

Thank you!

Jon Tollefson

GLIFAA President

Student Opportunity! -- Victory Fund Summer Internship

The Gay & Lesbian Leadership Institute's Victory Congressional Internship is developing the next generation of out public leaders.

This summer we'll bring five outstanding LGBTQ college students to Washington, D.C. for an intensive summer leadership program including:

* An eight-week Congressional internship with a member of the LGBT Equality Caucus
* A structured curriculum to learn about the legislative process and careers in the policy-making process
* A community service project

The program will prepare young LGBTQ people to become informed decision-makers and influential leaders who can change their communities and our world.

To learn more and apply by the March 7 deadline, please visit:
http://www.glli.org/vci

3rd Annual DC Mega-Networking Event @ Town

Mark your calendars for the 3rd annual and largest LGBT professional networking and social event of the year! On Wednesday, March 9, 2010, CAGLCC, the Capital Area Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce and Town Danceboutique have invited us to connect with dozens of other LGBT networking and professional groups to mix, mingle and have a great time.

This event is FREE. There is NO COVER. To attend, go to www.meganetworkingdc.com. Complimentary appetizers and a cash bar will be available. Some of the other groups invited to join in the fun include Burgundy Crescent, Federal GLOBE, GAYLAW, DC Out and Equal, Gertrude Stein Club, Team DC, DC Icebreakers, GATT, Accenture, Anywhere Goes, Dulles Triangles and the NOVA Gay and Lesbian Professionals Meet-Up. On an average, over 800 people attended this free event.

Location: Town Danceboutique

2009 8th Street NW

Metro: U Street (Green Line)

Wednesday, March 9th

6:30pm-8:30pm

USAID Policy Advisor Update

Protections on the Basis of Gender Identity
GLIFAA is encouraging all Federal departments and agencies to explicitly include protections on the basis of gender identity in their non-discrimination, anti-harassment, and/or equal employment opportunity policy statements. The following have done so, and several others are pending.