Rice Ripped for Stonewalling Rights for Gay Partners

Ex-ambassador quits: 'More benefits for pets'
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Dec 5, 2007 6:11 AM CST
Rice Ripped for Stonewalling Rights for Gay Partners
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.   (Associated Press)

The former US ambassador to Romania has quit the Foreign Service to protest its treatment of gays, the Washington Post reports. Michael E. Guest had some parting shots for Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and the system that he said gives same-sex partners of members of the Foreign Service fewer benefits than family pets. Guest said he has been trying to persuade Rice to make changes for years.

He denounced her department's failure to provide any help to same-sex partners in a time of increased danger. Guest told officials at his retirement ceremony that he had been forced to choose between duties to his partner and serving his country. "That anyone should have to make that choice is a stain on the secretary's leadership," he said. A spokesman for Rice said she doesn't discriminate in hiring.
(More Condoleezza Rice stories.)

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