About Us

Glifaa represents lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA+) personnel, their families, and their allies in the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Foreign Commercial Service, Foreign Agricultural Service, U.S. Agency for Global Media/BBG, Peace Corps, and other foreign affairs agencies of the U.S. Government.  

Officially recognized as a State Department and USAID employee organization, glifaa advances diversity and workplace equity in U.S. foreign affairs agencies and promotes human rights for LGBTQIA+ people around the world.

We are a volunteer organization, supported by voluntary membership dues and contributions for our advocacy and outreach.  If you are interested in joining, click the “Join Now” button or visit our Membership Page for more information.

Organizational Overview

Glifaa is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, voluntary membership organization with no paid staff. The organization’s work is entirely supported by members’ voluntary dues.

Our membership consists primarily of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA+) U.S. government personnel, family members, and allies from the Department of State, USAID, Foreign Commercial Service, Foreign Agricultural Service, Peace Corps, and other federal offices and agencies with foreign affairs components.  A Board of Directors annually elected by the membership directs and carries out most of glifaa’s work in accordance with the organization’s By-Laws.  The glifaa board is aided by a network of volunteer Post Representatives in most U.S. embassies, consulates, and missions abroad, and in State Department offices in the United States outside of Washington, D.C. The organization’s work – including an annual small grants program providing funding to support LGBTQIA+ advocacy worldwide – is entirely supported by members’ voluntary dues.

To learn more about becoming a member of glifaa, please visit our membership page.

Mission

To proudly advance diversity and workforce equity in U.S. government foreign affairs agencies and promote LGBTQIA+ human rights around the world. 

Glifaa works to secure equitable treatment of LGBTQIA+ colleagues in the United States and abroad.  For Foreign Service, Civil Service, Locally Employed Staff, contract or other employees, and applicants for federal employment, we act to break down barriers resulting from prejudice, misunderstanding or apathy within our institutions.  We provide a support network and information resources for employees, retirees, and their families.  As foreign policy professionals, we promote human rights and support LGBTQIA+ people struggling against discrimination and persecution abroad.  We also engage with partner organizations in the United States and internationally to advance these goals.

Activities

Glifaa engages continually with Washington officials to advocate for our membership on issues concerning LGBTQIA+ workforce equity and human rights promotion. 

In addition to our ongoing advocacy work, we hold general meetings every month to consult and update our membership.  We also operate a mentorship program to promote professional development and member engagement. Panel discussions and happy hours provide networking opportunities bringing together our members and others from like-minded organizations.  Other events include our annual “Pink Party,” Pride Month celebrations, participation in seminars and briefings, and organizing film and speaker series events.

Advocacy Issues

Current areas of focus for our advocacy efforts include:

• Securing accreditation of same-sex spouses at all posts worldwide
• Advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA)
• Expanding access to LGBTQIA+ healthcare

Additional information is available on our advocacy page.

History

In 1992, a small group of LGBTQIA+ State Department employees bravely founded glifaa to challenge a security clearance process that persecuted LGBTQIA+ U.S. government employees.  From that risky start, membership and activities grew until glifaa won official recognition as the voice of LGBTQIA+ personnel in the State Department and other U.S. government foreign affairs agencies.  Today, glifaa represents more than 1,200 members across most U.S. government foreign affairs agencies.

More information on the history of glifaa is below: