Non-Profit Soapbox

Recognizing that the State Department must also stand squarely for LGBT equality and opportunity internally, the Council and its member organizations are working to promote inclusive employment and family recognition policies within the State Department’s personnel guidelines and in the Department’s consular services work for LGBT Americans living and traveling abroad.

• Secretary Clinton noted the addition of gender identity to the State Department’s equal opportunity employment statement in June 2010.
• At the Council’s request, and based on guidance from our member organizations, the Consular Affairs Bureau at the State Department issued new regulations in June 2010 on changing gender markers on passports for transgender Americans.  Complicated surgery requirements are no longer required.  Additional changes that will be relevant to LGBT Americans on other passport and immigration forms are expected soon. For more information, visit the State Department website here