Hillary Clinton Eyes Gay Rights at State Dept.

By Paul Bedard, Washington Whispers

Gay and lesbian diplomats and Foreign Service officers are anxiously awaiting sweeping policy reforms that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is reviewing. The two goals: making it easier for same-sex couples to travel to new posts with full bennies and letting a foreign partner met abroad come to the United States as a husband or wife would after a traditional overseas marriage. The changes might implement new laws moving through Congress. It's a big issue for some who complain that it's too expensive for their partners to schlep around the world without the same kind of travel and health benefits married couples have. Also, without rights like married couples', it's difficult for an FSO who partners with a foreigner to bring that person home for very long.

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