Federal Drive

Selim Ariturk, President, GLIFAA

It\'s been 17 years since President Bill Clinton issued the executive order prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation in the federal civilian workf...

Federal News Network Staff

June 4, 2015 9:33 am

< a min read

wfedstaff | June 18, 2015 12:05 pm

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It’s been 17 years since President Bill Clinton issued the executive order prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation in the federal civilian workforce. Today, gay and lesbian feds say they are still fighting for equality. Members of the Foreign Service who seek assignment in countries where homosexuality is illegal are often denied visas for their spouses. “Transgender exclusion” prevents some employees from receiving certain health benefits from their federal plans. Selim Ariturk is president of GLIFAA, the association for LGBT employees in Foreign Affairs Agencies. He joined Tom Temin on the Federal Drive with more on Pride Month — and all the work that’s still left to do.