GLIFAA
| Abbreviation | GLIFAA |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1992 |
| Purpose | Gay/lesbian employee organization for US Department of State and other foreign affairs agencies in the US government. |
| Website | www.glifaa.org |
Gays and Lesbians in Foreign Affairs Agencies (GLIFAA) is the officially-recognized organization representing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) personnel and their families in the United States Department of State, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Foreign Commercial Service, Foreign Agricultural Service, and other agencies and entities working in foreign affairs in the U.S. Government. GLIFAA was founded in 1992 by fewer than a dozen employees who faced official harassment and potential loss of their jobs simply because of their sexual orientation. The organization grew to hundreds of Foreign Service, Civil Service, and contract personnel and their families serving in Washington, throughout the U.S., and at U.S. embassies and missions around the world.[1]
Among other accomplishments, GLIFAA succeeded in pressing for the issuance of a non-discrimination policy by Secretary of State Warren Christopher in 1993, and worked with the U.S. Administration, the management of government agencies, and other employee associations to eliminate barriers for obtaining security clearances and create and implement non-discrimination policies with regard to entry and employment in the U.S. Foreign Service and Civil Service. In addition, the organization worked to improve the situation for the partners of LGBT U.S. Foreign Service personnel serving overseas. GLIFAA met with Secretary of State Colin Powell, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.[2][3]
Prior to the early 1990s, homosexuality was grounds for exclusion from the U.S. Foreign Service (diplomatic corps) and many positions in the Civil Service. Indeed, numerous individuals were dismissed from their positions in government because of their sexual orientation. This happened particularly in the 1950s and 60's, in what has been called the "Lavender Scare" against sexual minorities in the U.S. government, linked to the McCarthy-inspired Second Red Scare against perceived communist sympathizers. This was documented in David K. Johnson's book, "The Lavender Scare: The Cold War Persecution of Gays and Lesbians in the Federal Government " ISBN 0-226-40481-1.
The first publicly gay U.S. ambassador was Ambassador to Luxembourg James Hormel, who was appointed by President Clinton and sworn in by Secretary of State Madeleine Albright in 1999. Hormel was admitted into his position through a recess appointment, without confirmation of the U.S. Senate. The second publicly gay U.S. ambassador, and the first publicly gay Foreign Service officer to be appointed as ambassador, was U.S. Ambassador to Romania Michael Guest, who was appointed by President George W. Bush and in 2001 sworn in by Secretary of State Colin Powell. In December 2009, Vice President Joseph Biden swore in the third publicly gay U.S. ambassador, lawyer David Huebner, who was accredited to New Zealand and the Independent State of Samoa.[4]
In July 2005, GLIFAA members held a meeting at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq.[5][dead link] The group in Washington has also held activities at the State Department to commemorate Gay Pride month, including events with openly gay Congressman Jim Kolbe, openly Lesbian congresswoman Tammy Baldwin and Judy Shephard, mother of slain gay student Matthew Shephard.[6]
In January 2009, GLIFAA handed to Secretary of State Clinton a letter signed by 2200 foreign affairs employees requesting that a number of key benefits be extended to same-sex domestic partners of LGBT personnel at the State Department and other foreign affairs agencies.[7] The organization noted that these were benefits that could be accorded without violating the Defense of Marriage Act, which sharply curtails the ability of the U.S. federal government to assist LGBT families in some ways.[8] In June 2009, President Obama signed a memorandum announcing a number of benefits for same-sex partners of government workers.[9] Many of the new benefits had come from GLIFAA's initial proposals.[10][11]
In October 2009, GLIFAA won the 2009 Out and Equal Workplace Award for its advocacy efforts.[12] Secretary of State Clinton videotaped a congratulatory message that was shown at the conference where the award was given.[13]
