Ex-Ambassador Criticizes Rice, Resigns: Envoy Unhappy With State Department's Treatment of Gays

[DeepModem Mom]

Source: Washington Post

By Glenn Kessler
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, December 5, 2007; Page A27

Michael E. Guest, a tall, soft-spoken man with salt-and-pepper hair, looks every bit the diplomat. At the young age of 43, at the start of the Bush administration, he was named ambassador to Romania, and since he returned in 2004 he has trained new ambassadors before they ship out overseas.

But last month, after 26 years in the Foreign Service, he did something uncharacteristically undiplomatic. Guest resigned from the State Department, giving up a career he loved, in order to protest rules and regulations that he believes are unfair to the same-sex partners of Foreign Service officers, giving them fewer benefits than family pets. He had spent the years since his return from Bucharest trying to win changes in policies, appealing directly to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, but said his proposals were met with indifference and inertia.

"I've felt compelled to choose between obligations to my partner, who is my family, and service to my country," Guest told a crowd of 75 senior State Department officials, a few steps from Rice's office, at his retirement ceremony on Nov. 20, according to a transcript of his remarks. "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."

Within the State Department, gay men and lesbians are widely accepted, in contrast to the military, where an admission of homosexuality is grounds for dismissal. But Guest and others say the State Department's regulations have not kept pace with the department's culture, especially as Foreign Service officers overseas face increasing dangers.

For instance, same-sex partners -- or unmarried heterosexual partners -- are refused anti-terrorism security training or foreign-language training and are not evacuated when eligible family members are ordered to depart. Unlike spouses, they do not receive diplomatic passports, visas or even use of the State Department mail system. They also must pay their own way overseas, get their own medical care and are left to fend for themselves if a partner is sent to a dangerous post such as Iraq. Many of these rules, Guest said, could be changed with Rice's signature, which he said was not a matter of gay rights but of equal treatment....

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/04/AR2007120401801.html?hpid=sec-nation

[Supersedeas]

1. quite a legacy that Rice is formenting

[cstanleytech]

2. Yeah but in all fairness

its not like she wrote new rules to replace old ones that used to provide equal treatment though I do think she should change the rules to provide equal treatment across the board if its within her power but I bet she won't.

[rockybelt]

16. An honest question

Who does write the rules?

[Ken Burch]

19. And it's not like she knows what it's like to HAVE a sex partner, same or not,

Just sayin'...

[boricua79]

3. though he's completely right and feel for him..

at the same time, I feel like saying,

"Dude, what did you expect? You work for the most dastardly administration in the history of the United States. What did you expect from Bush Republicans?

I wouldn't work for any arm of the high government (though I'm a public school teacher, but at least I feel I'm working with poor kids who need my help). I would never serve this government's overseas diplomatic efforts. I wouldn't become a useful tool of their plans.

My sympathies for your partner, but dude, you should have known better.

[pollo poco]

18. What should he have known?

So, we bring this on ourselves by having jobs? And we should know better? And you think this problem could be avoided by taking a job as a public school teacher?

I used to have work in Oregon schools (with poor kids who need my help). When I came out, my time there was over. I never made as much money for the same work as my colleagues, because I couldn't qualify for the same benefits. Naturally, I should have expected this. Dude.

So, gay teachers should probably know better, too.

Also- you seem to think that being a teacher is cleaner than being a diplomat. That teachers don't tow the party line. What a ludicrous argument! Are you free to teach the truth, as you see it? In my experience, not so. Teachers are among the most censored professionals of all. A teacher must tow the party line. All day, every day. Period. Buck this party line, and see what happens, Dude. Try, for example, putting forth the belief that all citizens are entitled to equal protection under the law. How about animal rights? Try saying that war is wrong. That corporations are amoral. That TV isn't good for people. That the criminal justice system is a little unfair sometimes. That condoms prevent AIDS. That animals evolve. That war is wrong. That George Washington didn't chop down any fucking cherry tree. Or anything else you might believe.

Yes, it looks like you may be a bit of a tool yourself, when you stop to think about it. Just like the rest of us.

As for your sympathies, my partner and I aren't interested. We want equal rights.

Or should we know better?...Dude?

[boricua79]

22. that he works for a homophobic administration

culpable with some of the worst crimes against foreign peoples and our civil liberties in the nation's entire history, THAT's what!

As I said, I would never get a job with any government position, and i studied political science. I learned early on that my political thoughts would not be conducive to membership in Democratic or Republican national organizations, and consequently, my "career" in public service would be short. I had too much of a conscience.

This problem cannot be avoided, it's endemic in the general society. But, there are places in society that are friendlier to homosexual lives. My advice was for him to take career in such fields...unless he wishes to be in the forefront of the cultural battles with the Right over homosexuality.

I'm confused how you being a homosexual teacher disqualifies you from the same work benefits, unless you mean health insurance for your partner or other similar marriage related benefits. Naturally, you should have expected it. Wake up and smell the society you live in, friend. I don't know if you've been looking around, but there's a lot of moral troglodytes around. This is not exactly the most civilized nation in terms of treating other human beings. Go to parts of Europe for that. I keep certain parts of my politics secret from co-workers, because i know that vocalizing them would end up in discrimination against me at my workplace and my possible laying off. Naturally, I expect it, so I protect against it.

You again, misunderstood me. As a teacher, I've found most of my co-workers are unthinking drones who just "do their job" and "promote the national values". I still cringe when they do their "pilgrims and Indians" show and tells for Thanksgiving, or when they do a Columbus "discovery" activity. Knowing my history, I know that if I actually taught the truth about the "discovery" of the Spanish, or the "dinner" between pilgrims and Indians, I'd be fired for teaching "inappropriate subjects" to my students. I do, however, find ways to insert grains of truth hidden within a "plausible deniability" shield. At least I try...which is more than I can see for many of my co-workers. Thankfully, however, I don't have to go to sleep at night knowing that my activities directly related to the President being able to justify illegal wars. I don't promote the national myths...I look the other way if kids refuse to do the Pledge of Allegiance..., I insert nuggets of real information in my lessons, and generally do what I can to lessen my participation in non-productive "patriotic" lessons. And gulp...I teach my kids in Spanish when they don't know English, even though I'm not supposed to. You've got the wrong teacher in mind if you think I "tow the line". I've never taught the George Washington story, and I don't have to deal with sex ed stuff because I deal with 5th to 8th graders. I recommend to my kids they do less watching of TV and more doing what they love to do (hobbies, sports, music, etc.). I also speak frankly to them about unfair stuff in life. Most of them are Latino and poor, so they inherently know how the system screws them and their parents. I don't mince words with them on that.

Good for you for wanting equal rights. Keep fighting for them. Just know better that you'll encounter a lot of resistance and that you will have to be strategic in how you fight for your rights, unless you want to make yourself an easy target for retaliation based on your politics and sexual orientation. Got that, dude? This isn't a Disney movie. The good guys often lose. You can end up like Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, or others who've fought the good fight for equal rights and encountered the ugly side of this country. You should know that better...unless you want to be a loose cannon and, pardon the pun, get flamed by rightwingers who want to make your life miserable.

You get it for being gay. I get it for being Latino. Welcome to the club of the minorities. Learn how to bob and weave, and get in the ring.

[yardwork]

20. Diplomats are career public servants. They're different from political appointees.

He's been in the Foreign Service for 26 years, through both Republican and Democratic administrations.

[boricua79]

23. well, to be honest

not much difference between either administration. Bush hates you directly, and Clinton/Dems tell you that they'd rather "not ask" and that you "don't tell".

Part of the reality of being part of the government apparatus. No matter what party is involved, it still a reactionary state apparatus, governing a nation that's barely civilized. And homophobia is still a biggie. Good for him for making the issue more public, but then again, dude, what did you expect? Did he actually expect Condoleeza Rice to be his benevolent savior...the one that would allow him to marry his husband? Come on now...let's start waking up to the society we live in here.

Some people are still living that fairy tale...and life is just not that accommodating to fantasy outlooks.

[xchrom]

4. so kindasleazy is a bigot too? -- par for the course in bushco. nt

[hfojvt]

5. taking early retirement at age 50, he makes an empty protest

If he had worked another year, he'd have been able to lobby a Democratic administration. Now, unless the new President makes him an ambassador, GLBTs in the state department have lost an advocate with 25+ years of experience. This protest would have had more impact in a couple of years.

[nealmhughes]

6. He is career foreign service, not a Bush appointee!

The career foreign service officers are the meat and potatoes of the corps diplomatique. Political appointees rarely do more than ribbon cutting and are there as a boon for their support of the President winning an election -- as a rule. There is a huge gulf between the men and women at Foggy Bottom who will not leave their offices except for a new posting and the various myriad "Asst. Secs. of State" and political ambassadors.
My God, I do not envy anyone a posting to Romania unless they enjoy walking a tightrope: a culture never having had a decent government since the Roman troops left, unless one counts the short reigns of King Ferdinand and Queen Marie and even then they had to deal with WWI. A sea of Latins surrounded by Magyars, Slavs, Turks and a Grosser Deutschland to contend. Entry into NATO and the EU, horrible HIV rate, corruption unimaginable, and then he quits after he gets back to DC. Pretty ballsy of him, to be honest. Does one foresee any Democratic candidate who might win the election, with the possible exception of Dennis Kucinich rectifying the situation re: status of same sex partners overseas? I am sure that is high on their list of priorities. . . Not.

[dbackjon]

7. Agreed

Don't see Hillary doing it. Obama definately won't, since he hates gays.

[EV_Ares]

8. As Donald Trump says, first, he would have fired her by now, second,

the only thing she does is fly in somewhere, fly back out, nothing gets done and she goes shopping. She should be fired.

[IndyOp]

9. Thank you Mr. Guest - I am sorry that you were treated so badly. I am proud

that you stood up for what was right and made public the reason why you retired.

[TomInTib]

10. "That's what I was hoping, that I would somehow get to her heart,"

Yeah, well....

Good fucking luck, buddy, 'cause there ain't one in that witch.

[boricua79]

26. I agree with you

Get real, buddy...This administration and its hooligans are beyond having a care.

[TechBear_Seattle]

11. At least *someone* in government gives a rat's tail about equal treatment

Goodness knows, few elected Democrats and none of the Democratic candidates for President (except Kucinich) seem to care. (And before the requisite whining and moaning begins: equal marriage is equal treatment; "civil unions" and "domestic partnerships" are NOT.)

[happygoluckytoyou]

12. ATTENTION ALL THE LOG-CABIN-REPUBLICANS---->

THE ADMINISTRATION IS NOT REALLY REPUBLICAN... IT IS NEOCON
AND THE FUNDI ARE WILLING TO CHANGE THE DEFINITION OF DIVORCE TO ALLOW 4 RUDY (BECAUSE HE MIGHT WIN)

SO YOU HAVE A FEW CHOICES.....

BECOME A DEMOCRAT WHERE YOUR OPINION AND YOUR LIFESTYLE WILL BE YOUR OWN BUSINESS

LIVE WITH WHAT YOU GOT

OR RUN FOR GOP PRESIDENT AND BECOME A FRONTRUNNER---- ALL OF A SUDDEN:
DIVORCE IS THE NEW MARRIAGE (RUDY)
MORMON IS THE NEW CHRISTIAN (MITT)
NECROPHELIA IS THE NEW SEXY (FRED)
ALZHEIMERS IS THE NEW REAGAN (MCCAIN)

IF SENATOR CRAIG WAS A FRONTRUNNER.... BATHROOM STALLS WOULD BE THE NEW ORAL OFFICE

[TechBear_Seattle]

13. "Become a Democrat where your opinion and your lifestyle will be your own business"

Unless you want access to all of the more than 4000 rights, protections and priviledges that mixed-sex couples can get for a mere $55 (varies by state) and two minutes in front of a judge.

[yardwork]

21. LOL! If only. Wouldn't it be nice to get all those rights just by becoming a Democrat?

Sign me up! I'm a Democrat! Now where are those rights?

[boricua79]

24. it's that freaky...

incidentally, that name..."Log Cabin Republicans". What the hell type of name is that? What the hell is happening in the Log Cabin...that's what I want to know. I'm getting all of these "Brokeback mountain" style images in my head...

[Toasterlad]

27. The Log Cabin Republicans Named Themselves After Lincoln

Who (as is commonly believed by historians) was gay. Sorry to ruin your lurid fantasies of wacky gay sex.

[boricua79]

29. hahaha...

dammit...

well, at least I have the Police Academy Blue Oyster bar to give me authentic images of gays!

Trusty old Police Academy!:P

[Toasterlad]

25. P.S. It's Not a "Lifestyle". It's a Life.

And please tell me how, exactly, the Democratic position on homosexuality is any better than the Republican one?

[boricua79]

28. hear, hear...

The Democratic party today is not taking a stance on this that is sufficiently strong enough. Equal rights or it's just bullshit.

[jeff30997]

14. Geat and screw hey!

:grr:

[fightthegoodfightnow]

15. Michael E. Guest HAS CONVICTIONS AND PRINCIPLES

THANK YOU for standing up to the biggest rumored closeted homosexual in the State Department (Condoleezza Rice).

I think there are many companies who have found themselves in the same 'trap' of giving the pets of employees more benefits (including health insurance options) than the gay partners of those employees.

Not good.

[rpannier]

17. Silly Mr. Guest

"That's what I was hoping, that I would somehow get to her heart," he said.


She (Ms Rice) has no heart.

[BrklynLiberal]

30. Ms Rice is a self-righteous, self-serving bitch, and to have expected anything else from

her was a false hope.

[DWilliamsamh]

31. An Honest Observation, tell me if I'm wrong....

I am in total support of gay marriage and support full gay rights as well.

When I read the OP, it seems to me that is says the partners of unmarried heterosexual diplomats don't get those benefits (the anti-terror training, diplomatic passports etc) either. It seems this is not a question discrimination against gay department employees. If the heterosexual partners got those benefits then withholding those benefits from homosexual partners would be discrimination absolutely.

Now it is certainly a point for debate and would be an improvement in benefits for all employees, if the live in partners of employees were extended these benefits, but that is a whole other question one that has nothing to do with gay rights.