Gay Ambassador Resigns Over Discrimination at State Dep't
| Tue Dec. 4, 2007 10:10 AM PST
Commend Michael Guest, the former ambassador to Romania and an openly gay man, for speaking up at his retirement ceremony:
Before friends, colleagues and top officials in the State Department Treaty Room, Mr. Guest took Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice (who was not present) to task for failing to treat the partners of gay and lesbian foreign service officers the same as the spouses of heterosexual officers. And he revealed — with eloquent sadness, not anger — that this was the reason for his departure.
"Most departing ambassadors use these events to talk about their successes . . . But I want to talk about my signal failure, the failure that in fact is causing me to leave the career that I love," said Mr. Guest, 50, whose most recent assignment was dean of the leadership and management school at the Foreign Service Institute, the government's school for diplomats.
"For the past three years, I've urged the Secretary and her senior management team to redress policies that discriminate against gay and lesbian employees. Absolutely nothing has resulted from this. And so I've felt compelled to choose between obligations to my partner — who is my family — and service to my country. That anyone should have to make that choice is a stain on the Secretary's leadership and a shame for this institution and our country," he said.
Estimates suggest that there are 600 gay men and women currently working as foreign affairs officers. Unlike the spouses of heterosexual employees, their partners are not entitled to "free medical care at overseas posts, guaranteed evacuation in case of a medical emergency, transportation to overseas posts, or special living allowances." (H/T Think Progress)
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Comments
Submitted by SteveIL (not verified) on Tue Dec. 4, 2007 12:22 PM PST.
Commend this man? I think not. He was appointed ambassador to Romania in 2001, when it was already known he was an openly gay man. And it took him three years before he mentioned it to his boss, Rice (and remember, his boss in 2001 wasn't Rice, it was Powell)? He's a phony-baloney activist.
This man is to be commended.
Rice or Powell what difference does it make is right on. Both of those people believe in DADT! The moral idiots are the ones who first throw the stones.
The government needs to change it's views and for me that means getting marriage passed for same sex couples on a Federal level not just a state level. Once that's passed then "open" Gay persons can be comfortable in pursuing anything they want. It means that their qualifications would matter more than their sexual identity.
guest has never been in the closet--to Rice, Powell, or anyone at the State department. In fact, he and his partner were greeted in Romania with front page news stories outing them upon arrival. He has behaved honestly and with integrity in an administration that lacks both. He and his partner are to be commended as is the Task Force for helping to make all of this known.
Submitted by Officer Thomas A. Porter D.P.O. National Op/Ed Columnist (not verified) on Wed Dec. 5, 2007 7:16 PM PST.
"George W. Bush and his Dick as in Shoot your best friend in the face Cheney and their Fascist Administration have and continue to cause the 'Daily' Suffering and Deaths of American Poor, Disabled, Senior Citizens, G.L.B.T. Community, Children, Veterans and the Unemployed by Economic Deprivation. It leaves no finger prints at the crime scene."
Ambassador Michael Guest is one more victim of this Bigoted Administration of Hatred. Rice & Powell sold their souls to live in the Big House and by so doing, shown they have served to provide lies and accomplished nothing but selling out their own mixed races and all other races in America. 'Rice is always with Bush at the Instant Ranch in Texas or in the White House' (Odd) and Powell sold America out at the U.N. when there were never any weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.
It has been a sad long day for the past 7 years and only 1 more year before we can start to rebuild America and restore Democracy to be ruled once again as a true Republic. That is something Republicans have no understanding about. They are only concerned about telling everyone, "Do as we say, not as we do." Republican Oath.
Ambassador Guest you have made a major move and statement to the citizens of America. You have to only realize we have 1 more year to have to live under a Fascist Rule and in that time there is hope to have Bush and Cheney Impeached for the War Crimes and Crimes they have commited against American Citizens daily for the past 7 years. Keep Hope Alive for a better America Ambassador Guest.
It will take years to undo the damage Bush and Cheney and their thugs have done to America and around the world. Charity starts at home in America or we can never help any other country. It would appear when we have hateful people in power against equal human rights, it is only time before they do themselves in. For the millions and millions of Americans who suffer daily before those in power suffer their own self demise there is little comfort that can be provided.
We must all as a Nation stand up and sit up and never again to ever allow such Fascist Alcohlic Coke Heads and Heartless Power Hungry Oil Thugs allowed to rule America ever again. Bring our American Troops home and secure America and provide equal rights for all of American Citizens.
Seperation of Church and State shall always prevail!
Submitted by Aaron Coleman (not verified) on Thu Dec. 6, 2007 9:14 PM PST.
Mr. Porter,
Eloquently and well-said!
I commend you Ambassador Mr. Guest! You have amazing class and tremendous dignity. And kudos to Mr.Porter. Anytime the cadre of Emperor Bush can impugn anyone who is NOT Bush-like, they jump to it! They refused the offer of Fidel Castro to assist the people of New Orleans, and refused to help themselves. Look at what they did to the tide of well-wishes ans support form ALL the world after 9/11/01!
All they care about is their ilk. Hang in there world, only one more year and we can sweep them under the carpet where they belong. (I just hope the carpet is moth-proof!)
