Subscribe to Breaking News
Loading ...Clinton approves partner benefits for State Dept. workers
05.26.2009 2:20pm EDT
(Washington) Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will soon announce that gay American diplomats will be given benefits similar to those that their heterosexual counterparts enjoy, according to U.S. officials.
In a notice to be sent soon to State Department employees, Clinton says regulations that denied same-sex couples and their families the same rights and privileges that straight diplomats enjoyed are “unfair and must end,” as they harm U.S. diplomacy.“Providing training, medical care and other benefits to domestic partners promote the cohesiveness, safety and effectiveness of our posts abroad,” she says in the message, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press.
“It will also help the department attract and retain personnel in a competitive environment where domestic partner benefits and allowances are increasingly the norm for world-class employers,” she says.
“At bottom, the department will provide these benefits for both opposite-sex and same-sex domestic partners because it is the right thing to do,” Clinton says.
Among the benefits that will now be granted gay diplomats: the right of domestic partners to hold diplomatic passports, government-paid travel for their partners and families to and from foreign posts, and the use of U.S. medical facilities abroad.
In addition, gay diplomats’ families will now be eligible for U.S. government emergency evacuations and training courses at the Foreign Service Institute, the message says.
The announcement, expected this week, was provided to the AP by a State Department official who is a member of the Gays and Lesbians in Foreign Affairs Agencies organization. Two department officials not affiliated with the organization confirmed its accuracy.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the changes.
Previously, the State Department had withheld some benefits from the families of gay diplomats, citing the Defense of Marriage Law, which had restricted federal recognition of same-sex marriages.
One former ambassador, Michael Guest, resigned from the foreign service in 2007 to protest the restrictions. Guest was a part of the Obama administration’s State Department transition team and played a major role in lobbying for the changes.
So, it turns out that it is Hillary Rodham Clinton that has balls, not Obama. If HRC was president I’ll bet DADT would be dead and DOMA would be on its way to the grave yard.
It’s nice to see someone in the Obama administration who actually cares about GLBT issues. Now if Obama would actually follow through on his campaign promises we might get somewhere.
Hillary in 2012!!!! If Obama begs us for our votes, let’s tell him: not right now (but we’re working on it), it wouldn’t be politically advantageous for us right now, and we will be glad to support him in the future once everything else on our agenda gets handled first.
‘So, it turns out that it is Hillary Rodham Clinton that has balls, not Obama. If HRC was president I’ll bet DADT would be dead and DOMA would be on its way to the grave yard.’
I tend to agree with sentiment. If he ever does get the balls to do something, it will likely be too little too late.
Oh wow! Jeeeez. Do I have to become a state dept. worker now in order to receive benefits? LOL!
One more reason to love Hillary. She gives me light at the end of the tunnel today. One step back, Two steps forward.
Hillary Clinton for President.
I’m sorry I ever doubted you.
Hillary has also fought for equality, this is just another example of that!
This is great news! As an gay spouse it has been very difficult maintaining our family and relationship, but we managed to do it. The DOS has been very accommodating in the last year. I thank Secretary Clinton for this change as she is aware of the need of keeping families together.
She would have been a great President.
As it stands now, HRC has my support for 2012.
It’s pretty sad when you have more rights as a diplomat living outside the country than citizens living at home.
The wings of Liberty lost a feather today.
Love the Hillary! I’m proud to say I voted for her, and still have a Hillary sticker on my car. I knew she’d be better for the LGBT communities.
I was very slow to warm up to Obama, and find myself cooling again with each passing day. I know he can’t do everything, but dammit, it would be nice if he’d do SOMETHING!! How about an executive order ending DADT firings until the matter can be studied? How about publicly calling on congress to end DADT with expedition? Do something.
Geeee it is a start 1 percent of the problem fixed – oh thats right, the DOMA and DADT are still there [I just looked]!!!!
I WILL NOT BE HAPPY WITH OBAMA UNTIL ALL THE FOLLOWING DEMANDS ARE MET IN 409 DAYS OR SORRY OBAMA YOU LOST MY VOTE:
(p) means a promise that was made “PRIOR” TO THE ELECTION
* Sign the Matthew Shepard Act into law (p)
* FULL repeal of DOMA (p)
* FULL repeal of DADT policy (p)
* 1,690 legal rights, obligations, responsibilities that are given to heterosexuals – should ALSO be given to us as well (p)
* COMPLETE federal anti-discrimination on BOTH sexual orientation and gender idenity in both private and public employment. accomodation, goods and services, IVF, surrogacy, ART, adoption, etc. (p)
I voted for Hillary – I always KNEW deep down she would do this. Hillary Clinton my not like the gay marriage position – but she certainly likes “EVERYTHING-BUT-MARRIAGE” for gays. At lease she is frank, honest and open about it. She does NOT flip-flop. Whats Obama position, MUCH MUCH WORSE, for example:
* Obama flip-flops on ALL his policies
* Obama one minute supports repealing DOMA and repealing DADT, then AFTER the election (as they do) say “WE SUPPORT KEEPING DOMA AND THE DADT POLICY” – typical
* Obama one minute supports gay marrriage (1996), then in 2009 says he is AGAINST it??? – well I know where I stand with him [Obama I think you are a cunt]
I always new deep down that Hillary would be 1,000 TIMES BETTER that that stupid black “DO NOTHING FOR GAYS” Obama cunt – giving us NOTHING. Oh thats rights it was the black cunts who were voting for Proposition 8 in CA!!!!
Paul,
You are an idiot. Enjoy your day.
James