Mission

We are non-profit and rely entirely on the efforts and contributions of our members and associates in Washington, DC and around the world. Our membership is primarily comprised of personnel and their family members from the Department of State, USAID, the Foreign Commercial Service, the Foreign Agricultural Service, and other U.S. offices and agencies with foreign affairs components.

GLIFAA works to secure full parity for gay and lesbian personnel and their families in U.S. foreign affairs agencies serving in the United States and overseas. We seek to break down the continued barriers that gay and lesbian foreign service, civil service, and contract employees -- and their partners and children -- encounter as a result of prejudice, misunderstanding, and apathy within our institutions. We serve as a support network and resource of information for gay and lesbian employees and their families.

Members of the GLIFAA Board meet regularly with the management of the State Department, USAID, and other U.S. agencies to discuss ideas and solutions to address the continued concerns of gay and lesbian personnel and their families. GLIFAA also works closely with AFSA (the American Foreign Service Association) and the Offices of Equal Employment Opportunity to provide information about employee concerns. We also support broader efforts in the U.S. and around the world to bring about greater respect for the rights of sexual minorities.

We sponsor educational and outreach activities, with a variety of events for Gay Pride in June and numerous other occasions. We organize educational panels and presentations on issues of concern to employees; manage a website; and provide information to employees, prospective employees, and management to help promote a workplace grounded on the fundamental principles of equality and non-discrimination.

GLIFAA is non-partisan and does not discriminate based on sexual orientation, race, gender, disability, ethnic background, religion, gender identity, or HIV-status. We have a diverse membership, including both gay and straight members, and welcome the participation of all who seek to end continued inequality based on sexual orientation.

We seek to help employees stay abreast of current developments, keep in touch, and share information with one another. GLIFAA's website, social events (regular monthly meeting and happy hour), and support for members overseas are just a few ways that members and their families stay connected. See our Calendar to find out about upcoming events.

SUCCESSES

We are proud of the many accomplishments of our organization since our founding in 1992. The issuance of a non-discriminatory policy by then Secretary of State Warren Christopher in 1993 was one of our early successes. We also worked with the U.S. Administration, the management of our 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 addition, we worked to implement the "Member of Household" (MOH) guidance, which explains the no-cost accomodations available to members of an employee's household, including partners, while serving overseas, and instructs U.S. missions overseas to take steps to assist members of household. In December 2000, State 242724 was transmitted, explaining to Posts these accomodations. In December 2003, MOH provisions were included in the Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM), the Department of State's "Bible" containing the regulations, policies, and procedures for the Department's operations. Click to see 3 FAM 4180. The FAM's Members of Household guidance is an important boost for gay and lesbian employees. It will make implementation of MOH rules consistent worldwide and provide tangible support, particularly in facilitating visa issuance for the partners of employees.

Thanks in part to the work of GLIFAA, the ability of lesbian and gay personnel to serve openly and successfully in U.S. foreign affairs agencies is now greater than ever.

OBJECTIVES

Many challenges remain. Our current priorities include:

• Ensuring full and fair adherence in our agencies to current policies concerning lesbian and gay employees and their families, including the Executive Order (E.O. 13087) uniformly prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation in the Federal Government;
• Promoting a professional atmosphere in our agencies whereby gay and lesbian personnel at all levels can be open about their sexual orientation without concern or fear of repercussions;
• Increasing opportunities for same-sex partners accompanying personnel on assignment overseas and ensuring their full inclusion in community life at US missions;
• Securing access for the partners and children of lesbian and gay employees to affordable and adequate health insurance as well as to other basic accommodations and benefits;
• Raising awareness within our agencies and the public at large of the important contributions gay and lesbian personnel have made and continue to make to our country in the Foreign Service, Civil Service, and as Contractors;
• Ending discrimination based on HIV-status, including with regard to the hiring practices of our agencies;
• Contributing to the broader cause of tolerance, equality, and full civil rights for sexual minorities in the U.S. and elsewhere;
• Strengthening our organization through effective outreach efforts, including to incoming personnel, other employee and foreign affairs associations, the management of our agencies, lesbian and gay groups in other federal agencies, and relevant non-governmental organizations.