The American Foreign Service Association (AFSA) applauds the historic decision by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton to extend recognition and benefits to domestic partners of Foreign Service employees assigned overseas. 

AFSA has long struggled to obtain this important change in policy because the status quo had negatively impacted on our members serving in foreign locations to a greater extent than most federal employees.  Hundreds of Foreign Service employees have domestic partners who accompany them to difficult and dangerous overseas posts, and who share the risks and hardships of these assignments, often making considerable personal sacrifices to do so. 

Until now, Foreign Service members had no choice but to assume the often extremely high cost of travel, shipping of household effects, and medical expenses for their domestic partners, who had no legal status in the eyes of the U.S. Government.  Unlike other family members, they were denied the right to participate in foreign language and security training for these assignments, excluded from emergency evacuation planning, and given no special consideration for employment opportunities at overseas missions.

We are gratified to see that Secretary Clinton’s decision will end these injustices.  AFSA Interim President Steve Kashkett affirmed: “This is a welcome and long-overdue change that will make a huge difference in the lives of people serving at our embassies and consulates overseas.”   AFSA looks forward to working with the Secretary and her management team to iron out the details of this new policy and to ensure its equitable implementation across all the foreign affairs agencies.