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January 15, 2009

Clinton Pledges Review of LGBT Policies at State Department

Sen. Hillary Clinton said Tuesday during her confirmation hearing for secretary of State that she intended to review the department's policy of not extending benefits to partners of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender foreign service officers. But Clinton stopped short of giving a specific commitment to make partner benefits available, saying she needed more information on the existing policies.

Beyond being deprived of health care benefits, same-sex partners of foreign service personnel are currently unable to access other services available to heterosexual spouses, such as subsidized relocation, language training, employment opportunities, on-site medical treatment, and evacuation aid in emergency situations.

Democratic senator Russ Feingold of Wisconsin posed the question to Clinton after he noted that addressing these inequities was a natural outgrowth of the need to build a more robust diplomatic corps.

"Will you support changes to existing personnel policy in order to ensure that LGBT staff at State and [the U.S. Agency for International Development] receive equal benefits and support?" he asked.

Clinton responded: "Senator, this issue was brought to my attention during the transition. I've asked to have more briefing on it because I think that we should take a hard look at the existing policy. As I understand it, but don't hold me to it because I don't have the full briefing material, but my understanding is other nations have moved to extend that partnership benefit. And we will come back to you to inform you of decisions we make going forward."

LGBT diplomats who work for the State Department welcomed the comments from Senator Clinton, who is expected to be confirmed next week.

"Secretary-designate Clinton has been a good friend to the LGBT community, and I am delighted that she recognizes that fairer policies make good business sense," said Michelle Schohn, president of Gays and Lesbians in Foreign Service Affairs Agencies. "LGBT diplomats and aid workers serve overseas in some of the most dangerous locations, but current State Department policies continue to be deny equal treatment for our families. I am hopeful that Secretary Clinton will work quickly to implement overdue reforms so that we can continue to serve our country at a time when it needs us most without having to choose our job over our family."

Schohn has personal experience with the inequities faced by LGBT couples. She was a "member of household" when her partner, who has been in the foreign service seven years, was stationed in Baku, Azerbaijan. Schohn ultimately decided to become a U.S. diplomat herself when she realized it would be too difficult to accompany her partner for the duration of her career without having the benefits afforded to heterosexual spouses. 

"I left a career I loved," said Schohn, who has now been a foreign service officer for five years. "I am proud of my service, but joining the State Department is not a choice everyone can or should have to make." (Kerry Eleveld, Advocate.com)

Reader Comments

These comments are reproduced as written by visitors to this Web site. They have not been edited for content, grammar, or spelling. The viewpoints appearing here are those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or views of advocate.com, The Advocate, or its affiliates.

  • Name: Daniel S
    Date posted: 2009-01-15 1:22 PM
    Hometown: New Hope, PA

    Comment:

    It will be interesting to see where this goes. The Clinton's have a history of making strong promises to the LGBT community and then reneging on them. One need only remember DADT. Political expedience will always trump idealism here. However, Clinton is moving into an unelected position now, so she will be less subject to public opinion in the short-term. But she's doubtless waiting to see how much backing she'll get from Obama and Congress before committing to any changes.


  • Name: Joe
    Date posted: 2009-01-15 11:22 AM
    Hometown: Fort Worth

    Comment:

    Why just promise to "review" State Department policies rather than just pledge to make them apply EQUALLY to same-sex couples as with opposite-sex couples??? Clinton is NOT the big LGBT advocate that her followers think she is.


  • Name: anto
    Date posted: 2009-01-15 7:28 AM
    Hometown: dublin

    Comment:

    I hope that she will deliver on her promises as many millions of LGBT people voted for her, I tend to like her and wish her the very best luck in this job, I believe that America will gain from her having this post, anto


  • Name: Jack Nasty
    Date posted: 2009-01-15 3:14 AM
    Hometown: Edmonds

    Comment:

    What exactly does her vague promise mean? The last time the Clintons promised gay people support, they delivered DOMA and Don't Ask. With friends like the Clintons, who needs enemies?


  • Name: Swoosie
    Date posted: 2009-01-14 5:39 PM
    Hometown: Raymond, Ca

    Comment:

    I really have great admiration for Clinton and I think she is sincere in her concern for equity. I think fundamental review of policy is just what should happen when you get a person in office who really does care about the office and not themselves. She will be a superb Sec State.


  • Name: BradK
    Date posted: 2009-01-14 5:30 PM
    Hometown: Hollywood, H8

    Comment:

    If HRC does follow though with her promises and manages to pull this off she'd earn a whole lotta respect. Head and shoulders above "our" HRC at least.


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