As you may know, this year has one of the biggest years in terms of gains for LGBT peoples around the globe. Many of them have taken place during this past month of June, also known as PRIDE month. I would like to highlight some of these events for those viewing this blog because of the newsletter I just wrote and for common interest.
In November, Iceland elects the first openly homosexual head of government in the world.
Iowa , Vermont, Maine, and New Hampshire become the 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th states to legalize same-sex marriages.
California upholds Proposition 8.
President Obama and Secretary Clinton issue PRIDE proclomations.
Secretary Clinton Extends Benefits to LGBT State Employees and their Partners.
President Obama futhers Extension to all Federal Employees.
India's Dehli High Court Rules the Homosexuality is not a Crime.
07 July 2009
01 July 2009
PRIDE Weekend In New York
My first PRIDE was made doubly awesome by being invited to march with GLIFAA in the New York PRIDE parade. While at first I was hesitant because of funds, GLIFAA offered to reimburse me for my trip. At that, I took the opportunity to march in my second PRIDE parade and also take my first trip to New York. I was very graciously hosted by Steven Gee, longtime GLIFAA member and consulate for the United States to the United Nations, and his partner, Sasha Macasev. I had an absolutely wonderful time exploring the city and making new friends. The day of the parade, Sunday, began with brunch. Then we lined up and waited for about an hour before we started moving. We were in Section 4 out of 12 sections, and though I did not get to see the entire parade, I can imagine that it was huge! It was amazing walking down Madison Avenue representing something so wonderful. The street were lined the entire parade route (4 miles) from the upper 50s to Greenwich Village. We received a lot of cheers despite our small contingency and were fortunate to be followed by something called the "Pleasure Chest" which played very lively music as we walked. Several people, mostly non-GLIFAA members, joined our cause by marching and celebrating with us. It was really great to see and feel the excitement and support of the crowd. It really makes me feel proud to be gay.
25 June 2009
John Berry and Peace Corps
Yesterday was one of the most busy yet interesting days at events for me. In the morning, the Peace Corps sponsored an event with John Berry, the Director of the Office of Personel Management, and coincidentally the highest ranking gay official in the United States. I can see why Mr. Berry has achieved that position; he has had a life full of experience and is a delightful orator.
Mr. Berry began his speech announcing that he formally apologized on behalf of the United States government to Frank Kameny, the federal employee that was fired on the basis of his sexuality. Berry also presented Kameny the Teddy Roosevelt award. Berry went on to say that 40 years ago, during Kameny's years as a federal employee, anti-homosexual laws were not meant to protect and defend, but to selectively terrorize a minority. For many years, people just allowed police brutality against homosexuals to happen and firing for being homosexual was a normal thing. But on June 28, 1969, the LGBT movement was sparked when people outside a bar called Stonewall said "no." From then on, the media began to propogate a vast homosexual agenda. But Mr. Berry said that the agenda, the reason Stonewall occured, is this: To be free to bear every right of citizenship and pursue happiness. This follows every single American battle for liberty against tyranny and oppression, like the colonial America who was denied liberty and freedom, like slavery, in which slave owners used scripture to keeps people in bonds, like women, who were denied the right to vote, and seperate but equal, where seperation was anything but equal.
Today the country is deeply divided and finding middle ground is hard when liberty is at stake. Liberty grows in one direction, and that is, like a tree, by adding rings. This tree iHe s nourished by honesty, warmed by love, and rooted in justice. Stonewall and Kameny are additions to the American tree of liberty, but we cannot rest until this ring is secured.
When Mr. Berry finished his speech, several people asked interesting questions. One person asked if Mr. Berry were always openly gay in the service and if he had always had such conviction about gay rights. Mr. Berry responded by saying that he did not come out until very late when he was about 25 years old. He remembers that when he came to Washington, DC, there was a huge scandal involving Maryland State Representative Bob Bowerman when he was caught in a gay bar. Mr. Berry decided that he did not want to live this lie. He told his parents five years later but it took more than that for them to accept him.
A retired colonel asked about Don't Ask, Don't Tell (DADT) because it very obviously affected him. With a trembling voice, he said that it hurt him because he could not talk to these brave men and women, some of whom he lost, about their sexuality because of the military. Mr. Berry responded by saying that the President has made it clear that we need to abolish DADT. The reason it was implimented was because blackmail on the case of homosexuality could be a security risk to the US. Even though top military officials do not advocate the abolishing of DADT, we must remember that the military did not ask for the end of segregation or ask for women to fight in combat. There is a reason civilians run the military.
At the end of the event, I was fortunate enough to meet John Berry and converse with him a little bit. I can tell that he is a very genuine character. At the reception afterwards, I got to meet Stpehen Chapman, who works for Peace Corps. He invited me to an event later that day with returning LGBT service members and talking more in depth about their gay lives during their tenures.
At Peace Corps, trainees can be offered gay happy hours before heading oversees. There are LGBT volunteers in Peace Corps who are open and very friendly. But, while oversees, you should be very discreet about you sexuality as many countries are not as accepting. While you do have to hide this part of you, you gain many things in return. Do come out to fellow volunteers and staff, especially staff because they have recieved special training for LGBTs.
The first speaker was Ryan who served in Guinea.
Mr. Berry began his speech announcing that he formally apologized on behalf of the United States government to Frank Kameny, the federal employee that was fired on the basis of his sexuality. Berry also presented Kameny the Teddy Roosevelt award. Berry went on to say that 40 years ago, during Kameny's years as a federal employee, anti-homosexual laws were not meant to protect and defend, but to selectively terrorize a minority. For many years, people just allowed police brutality against homosexuals to happen and firing for being homosexual was a normal thing. But on June 28, 1969, the LGBT movement was sparked when people outside a bar called Stonewall said "no." From then on, the media began to propogate a vast homosexual agenda. But Mr. Berry said that the agenda, the reason Stonewall occured, is this: To be free to bear every right of citizenship and pursue happiness. This follows every single American battle for liberty against tyranny and oppression, like the colonial America who was denied liberty and freedom, like slavery, in which slave owners used scripture to keeps people in bonds, like women, who were denied the right to vote, and seperate but equal, where seperation was anything but equal.
Today the country is deeply divided and finding middle ground is hard when liberty is at stake. Liberty grows in one direction, and that is, like a tree, by adding rings. This tree iHe s nourished by honesty, warmed by love, and rooted in justice. Stonewall and Kameny are additions to the American tree of liberty, but we cannot rest until this ring is secured.
When Mr. Berry finished his speech, several people asked interesting questions. One person asked if Mr. Berry were always openly gay in the service and if he had always had such conviction about gay rights. Mr. Berry responded by saying that he did not come out until very late when he was about 25 years old. He remembers that when he came to Washington, DC, there was a huge scandal involving Maryland State Representative Bob Bowerman when he was caught in a gay bar. Mr. Berry decided that he did not want to live this lie. He told his parents five years later but it took more than that for them to accept him.
A retired colonel asked about Don't Ask, Don't Tell (DADT) because it very obviously affected him. With a trembling voice, he said that it hurt him because he could not talk to these brave men and women, some of whom he lost, about their sexuality because of the military. Mr. Berry responded by saying that the President has made it clear that we need to abolish DADT. The reason it was implimented was because blackmail on the case of homosexuality could be a security risk to the US. Even though top military officials do not advocate the abolishing of DADT, we must remember that the military did not ask for the end of segregation or ask for women to fight in combat. There is a reason civilians run the military.
At the end of the event, I was fortunate enough to meet John Berry and converse with him a little bit. I can tell that he is a very genuine character. At the reception afterwards, I got to meet Stpehen Chapman, who works for Peace Corps. He invited me to an event later that day with returning LGBT service members and talking more in depth about their gay lives during their tenures.
At Peace Corps, trainees can be offered gay happy hours before heading oversees. There are LGBT volunteers in Peace Corps who are open and very friendly. But, while oversees, you should be very discreet about you sexuality as many countries are not as accepting. While you do have to hide this part of you, you gain many things in return. Do come out to fellow volunteers and staff, especially staff because they have recieved special training for LGBTs.
The first speaker was Ryan who served in Guinea.
24 June 2009
Eldie Acheson
Yesterday, I went to a GLIFAA-sponsored event with Eldie Acheson as the keynote speaker. Eldie Acheson is the granddaughter of the great post-WWII diplomat and former Secretary of State Dean Acheson. Her many roles over the years have included Assistant Attorney General of the United States, National Gay and Lesbian Tast Force, and currently works on the upper echelons of Amtrak. She was supposed to be introduced by Secretary Hillary Clinton, her good friend and freshmen roommate at Wellesley College. Unfortunately, Mrs. Clinton could not make it, so Cheryl Mills introduced Ms. Acheson herself.
Ms. Acheson spoke a lot of her grandfather and compared him to Secretary Clinton, using his memoir Present at Creation to make these points. She noted that each of them in their times did and are facing very new international systems. Her remarks grew increasingly pointed as she spoke on the witch hunts by Senator McCarthy against Communists and homosexuals that marred Dean Acheson's later years at the State Department. Dean Acheson would warn against such public sentiments--Bolshevik methods leading to Bolshevism--and would warn against the temptation developing a national orthodoxy inimical to the spirit of free enquiry.
Toward the end of her speech, Ms. Acheson came to the present to laud President Obama's support of LGBT causes as well as his many appointments of LGBT people and his Executive Memorandum which extends many rights formerly denied to gay federal employees and their partners. She reminded the audience, nevertheless, the LGBTs are still second-class citizens in many ways, "boxed out" from American society. Specifically, legistlation such as Don't Ask, Don't Tell, the Defense of Marriage Act and the lack of protection against discrimination in housing and employment are primitive purges that should be the target of reform. The event closed with several comments and a song by the Lesbian and Gay chorus of Washington.
Later that day, I attended an fundraising event sponsored by IGLHRC, the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commision. My friend Laurie, who quite coincidentally I had met on Craigslist while I was searching for housing, invited me to the event as she was once on the IGLHRC board. The event was filled with ranking members of many corporations and organizations, both governmental and non-governmental. There I met many people of interest and perhaps even had a few join GLIFAA that day. A few speakers spoke on specific situations around the world that have called IGLHRC's attention, such as Uganda's backsliding: though it previously has never had anti-homosexual laws, several are now advocating to put such laws in place. IGLHRC works to "advance human rights for everyone, everywhere to end discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression." I really liked this organization, and though I could not give money, I hope to one day give my time to this worthy organization.
Ms. Acheson spoke a lot of her grandfather and compared him to Secretary Clinton, using his memoir Present at Creation to make these points. She noted that each of them in their times did and are facing very new international systems. Her remarks grew increasingly pointed as she spoke on the witch hunts by Senator McCarthy against Communists and homosexuals that marred Dean Acheson's later years at the State Department. Dean Acheson would warn against such public sentiments--Bolshevik methods leading to Bolshevism--and would warn against the temptation developing a national orthodoxy inimical to the spirit of free enquiry.
Toward the end of her speech, Ms. Acheson came to the present to laud President Obama's support of LGBT causes as well as his many appointments of LGBT people and his Executive Memorandum which extends many rights formerly denied to gay federal employees and their partners. She reminded the audience, nevertheless, the LGBTs are still second-class citizens in many ways, "boxed out" from American society. Specifically, legistlation such as Don't Ask, Don't Tell, the Defense of Marriage Act and the lack of protection against discrimination in housing and employment are primitive purges that should be the target of reform. The event closed with several comments and a song by the Lesbian and Gay chorus of Washington.
Later that day, I attended an fundraising event sponsored by IGLHRC, the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commision. My friend Laurie, who quite coincidentally I had met on Craigslist while I was searching for housing, invited me to the event as she was once on the IGLHRC board. The event was filled with ranking members of many corporations and organizations, both governmental and non-governmental. There I met many people of interest and perhaps even had a few join GLIFAA that day. A few speakers spoke on specific situations around the world that have called IGLHRC's attention, such as Uganda's backsliding: though it previously has never had anti-homosexual laws, several are now advocating to put such laws in place. IGLHRC works to "advance human rights for everyone, everywhere to end discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression." I really liked this organization, and though I could not give money, I hope to one day give my time to this worthy organization.
22 June 2009
22 June Update
This week is going to be a very busy week for me as several new things are coming up as well as continuing projects. Tomorrow there is a GLIFAA sponsored event with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at the State department who will be introducing keynot speaker Eleanor (Eldie) Acheson, former Assistant Attorney General and Director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. I will also be attending a benefit party with the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission. I hope to make some great connections at these events; I will write about them in more detail after I go to those events. I am also continuing to work on the research paper that was mentioned in my first blog post on gay immigrants. I have an outline drafted and will now work on gather information from interviews. Other events I will be attending this week include two events on Wednesday by John Berry, U.S. Office of Personnel Management, and several others. I will write more on them later.
15 June 2009
PRIDE Weekend
This past weekend was the occurence of Capital PRIDE in Washington, DC. It was a wonderful time not only for all LGBTs and supporters, but for me especially because it was my first PRIDE ever. As a person that recently came out, seeing all those in celebration of their lives made me think of all the accomplishments of LGBT persons, from pre- and post-Stonewall riot times. Before this time, I had never heard of the Stonewall Riots; for those of you who don't know either, please read about the bravery and determination of these people who fought for their rights. One noteable activist is Frank Kameny, who succeeded in particular to remove homosexuality from the American Psychiatric Association's manual of mental disorders. Without him, GLIFAA probably would not exist, much less out and proud LGBTs in any federal job. I believe that many younger LGBTs don't realize the amount of work it took to get to the place we get today and even though the march goes onwards and upwards, I think we should all take this time to reflect on the success and losses of the LGBT movement. For those of you not familiar with LGBT movements, please take a moment to educate yourselves on where we come from and where we are going.
PRIDE weekend for me began with the parade and the GLIFAA pre-parade party on Saturday. It was an amazing experience marching with GLIFAA and seeing the thousands of people lining the streets of Washington, DC, in order to cheer on the parade. The next day I worked at the GLIFAA booth in the PRIDE Festival. There we gave information to inquirers and maybe even recruited a few new members. One of our biggest successes that day was to get hundreds of new subscribers to our e-mail list.
I hope eveyone else in America and the world had/has a happy PRIDE, and let's keep America moving forward.
PRIDE weekend for me began with the parade and the GLIFAA pre-parade party on Saturday. It was an amazing experience marching with GLIFAA and seeing the thousands of people lining the streets of Washington, DC, in order to cheer on the parade. The next day I worked at the GLIFAA booth in the PRIDE Festival. There we gave information to inquirers and maybe even recruited a few new members. One of our biggest successes that day was to get hundreds of new subscribers to our e-mail list.
I hope eveyone else in America and the world had/has a happy PRIDE, and let's keep America moving forward.
11 June 2009
I have begun my tour of events around the city of Washington, DC. Two days ago on Tuesday, I visited The Woodrow Wilson Center for a Symposium on Evaluating the Effects of EU Accession in Central and Eastern Europe: Lessons for the Western Balkans. Several professors and directors from various universities, including the George Washington University, came to discuss their specific research on varying subjects tanging from the media in the Balkans to the wine industry in Bulgaria.
One question that seemed to be asked by the presenters is why democracy is having such a hard time taking hold in this region of Europe, even after joining the European Union? Peter Gross, Professor and Director at the University of Tennessee, discussed how the media may have a role to play in this question. The media in the Balkans is very highly controlled and censored internally by individuals, probably in the government itself, who put a very large spin on any news reported. This hinders the media from doing its intended work of informing the public, therefore hindering any major steps to a full-fledged democracy. But with this goal in mind, the media in this region has no "mentors," per se, even in Western Europe or America, where media sources are also censored and heavily biased.
Lynn Tesser, Assistant Professor at the International University of Sarajevo, is the one who I think answered the abovementioned quesiton. Tesser discussed the culutural behaviors of people in the Balkans. Throughout its entire history, the Balkans have never really enjoyed any form of democracy or long period of independance, as it has been ruled over by such nations as the Ottoman Empire, Austria-Hungary, and has very recently come out of Communist rule. The Balkans still have to overcome cultural norms and ideas, which will take longer than 20 years, to fully integrate democracy into their national indentity.
Yesterday, Wednesday, I attended a GLIFAA sponsored course at the Foreign Affairs Insititute (FSI) for LGBT in the Foreign Affaris Community. This program was intended to inform LGBT FSOs on how to prepare for an assignment overseas and what resources one could find for the LGBT community while there, including how to get benefits for one's partner.
Here is some information for safety overseas thanks to retired Regional Security Officer Jay Goodrich of the Diplomatic Security Training CentBer (DTSC). Before going overseas, make sure you become familiar with the culutural norms and local laws. This may seem like a given, but make sure you research information that pertains directly to you. Online, you can check the CIA factbook, Real Post Reports, Reference Desk, and the US Embassy site for your post. Also, contact the individual who you are replacing in you post and ask questions about your assignment and the social life in the city. Make sure to meet with your Regional Security Officer (RSO) and attend the Arrivals Briefing at your post; we were assured that RSOs are completely supportive and you have nothing to worry about. One big thing to think about while overseas is your relationships. If you already have a partner, make sure you have everything taken care of for them beforehand such as declaring them as a member of household (MOH) well before, having an ID and Visa issued for them, etc. While overseas, you must know that a relationship of any kind, even very menial ones, may have to be reported to the RSO. This means if you choose to meet up with an individual more than two times or begin contacting him or her via e-mail or text, it might have to be reported as a relationship.
Next, Mark Bianley, representative for the Council for Human Equality, discussed how FSOs could enjoy their LGBT life abroad. He gave attendees to the course council and warnings according to different posts. For those going to post which have laws against homosexuality or strong sentiments against it, he warned us to know of those laws, how police and/or the community enforce those laws and treat LGBT persons, and movements in place for or against LGBT rights. A good rescource for finding this information is ilga.org which provides a list of countries that have laws criminalizing consentual conduct. If you do happen to be in one of these countries, a good way to find the LGBT community is to find local NGOs that are supportive of LGBTs. But before you do, think of what your interactions may have on this community because chances are that you may endanger them by exposing them to police harrasment or violence. For those going to countries more progressive and open to homosexuality, think of your role as a member of the LGBT community and if you want to be a representative of that community. Check out the Travellers Checklist of the British Commonwealth Office for all who are traveling abroad, FSO or not. http://collections.europarchive.org/tna/20080205132101/www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front%3Fpagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1098377449900. It gives you information and links on how to be safe and a representative of the LGBT community overseas.
Thanks for reading,
Mikel
One question that seemed to be asked by the presenters is why democracy is having such a hard time taking hold in this region of Europe, even after joining the European Union? Peter Gross, Professor and Director at the University of Tennessee, discussed how the media may have a role to play in this question. The media in the Balkans is very highly controlled and censored internally by individuals, probably in the government itself, who put a very large spin on any news reported. This hinders the media from doing its intended work of informing the public, therefore hindering any major steps to a full-fledged democracy. But with this goal in mind, the media in this region has no "mentors," per se, even in Western Europe or America, where media sources are also censored and heavily biased.
Lynn Tesser, Assistant Professor at the International University of Sarajevo, is the one who I think answered the abovementioned quesiton. Tesser discussed the culutural behaviors of people in the Balkans. Throughout its entire history, the Balkans have never really enjoyed any form of democracy or long period of independance, as it has been ruled over by such nations as the Ottoman Empire, Austria-Hungary, and has very recently come out of Communist rule. The Balkans still have to overcome cultural norms and ideas, which will take longer than 20 years, to fully integrate democracy into their national indentity.
Yesterday, Wednesday, I attended a GLIFAA sponsored course at the Foreign Affairs Insititute (FSI) for LGBT in the Foreign Affaris Community. This program was intended to inform LGBT FSOs on how to prepare for an assignment overseas and what resources one could find for the LGBT community while there, including how to get benefits for one's partner.
Here is some information for safety overseas thanks to retired Regional Security Officer Jay Goodrich of the Diplomatic Security Training CentBer (DTSC). Before going overseas, make sure you become familiar with the culutural norms and local laws. This may seem like a given, but make sure you research information that pertains directly to you. Online, you can check the CIA factbook, Real Post Reports, Reference Desk, and the US Embassy site for your post. Also, contact the individual who you are replacing in you post and ask questions about your assignment and the social life in the city. Make sure to meet with your Regional Security Officer (RSO) and attend the Arrivals Briefing at your post; we were assured that RSOs are completely supportive and you have nothing to worry about. One big thing to think about while overseas is your relationships. If you already have a partner, make sure you have everything taken care of for them beforehand such as declaring them as a member of household (MOH) well before, having an ID and Visa issued for them, etc. While overseas, you must know that a relationship of any kind, even very menial ones, may have to be reported to the RSO. This means if you choose to meet up with an individual more than two times or begin contacting him or her via e-mail or text, it might have to be reported as a relationship.
Next, Mark Bianley, representative for the Council for Human Equality, discussed how FSOs could enjoy their LGBT life abroad. He gave attendees to the course council and warnings according to different posts. For those going to post which have laws against homosexuality or strong sentiments against it, he warned us to know of those laws, how police and/or the community enforce those laws and treat LGBT persons, and movements in place for or against LGBT rights. A good rescource for finding this information is ilga.org which provides a list of countries that have laws criminalizing consentual conduct. If you do happen to be in one of these countries, a good way to find the LGBT community is to find local NGOs that are supportive of LGBTs. But before you do, think of what your interactions may have on this community because chances are that you may endanger them by exposing them to police harrasment or violence. For those going to countries more progressive and open to homosexuality, think of your role as a member of the LGBT community and if you want to be a representative of that community. Check out the Travellers Checklist of the British Commonwealth Office for all who are traveling abroad, FSO or not. http://collections.europarchive.org/tna/20080205132101/www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front%3Fpagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1098377449900. It gives you information and links on how to be safe and a representative of the LGBT community overseas.
Thanks for reading,
Mikel
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