2010.12.31: December 31, 2010: Daniel Thomas writes: As a Peace Corps volunteer in Morocco from 1995 to 1998, I had a serious relationship
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2010.12.31: December 31, 2010: Daniel Thomas writes: As a Peace Corps volunteer in Morocco from 1995 to 1998, I had a serious relationship
Daniel Thomas writes: As a Peace Corps volunteer in Morocco from 1995 to 1998, I had a serious relationship with a Moroccan man
During that time, I had to go to the U.S. consulate for an errand. When I'm abroad, the U.S. embassy is more than a representative of my nation, it is home. I expect to be treated with respect as an American citizen. While I was at the consulate in Casablanca, there was a couple at the next window registering their marriage with the consular office so that the husband, a Moroccan, could join his American wife in the U.S. On a whim, at the end of my transaction, I told the consular officer that I was in a serious relationship with a Moroccan man and asked if I could bring him to the U.S. with me. Without a pause, the woman answered, "No, there's no way.'' I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. I scurried from the consulate on the brink of tears and feeling like some sort of criminal. I will always remember the day, and the face of the U.S. government that told me I am not equal to other Americans, that my relationships are not as worthy as those of other Americans.
Daniel Thomas writes: As a Peace Corps volunteer in Morocco from 1995 to 1998, I had a serious relationship with a Moroccan man
Still treated as second-class citizens in civil marriage law
The good news is that gay Americans can now openly fight and die for their country in the military. The bad news is we are still treated as second-class citizens when it comes to the civil marriage law.
I would like to share an experience I had. As a Peace Corps volunteer in Morocco from 1995 to 1998, I had a serious relationship. During that time, I had to go to the U.S. consulate for an errand. When I'm abroad, the U.S. embassy is more than a representative of my nation, it is home. I expect to be treated with respect as an American citizen.
While I was at the consulate in Casablanca, there was a couple at the next window registering their marriage with the consular office so that the husband, a Moroccan, could join his American wife in the U.S. On a whim, at the end of my transaction, I told the consular officer that I was in a serious relationship with a Moroccan man and asked if I could bring him to the U.S. with me. Without a pause, the woman answered, "No, there's no way.'' I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. I scurried from the consulate on the brink of tears and feeling like some sort of criminal.
I will always remember the day, and the face of the U.S. government that told me I am not equal to other Americans, that my relationships are not as worthy as those of other Americans.
I respect all religious beliefs. I would never ask others to change what they believe about religious marriage or who can get married in any church, temple or mosque. However, to me, this is not a religious issue. In America, marriage is a secular, civil right. This is a civil rights issue. More specifically, this is a highly personal issue between me and my government. As long as the U.S. does not recognize same-sex marriage and same-sex relationships as equal to opposite-sex relationships, when I think of America, I will see that face saying no.
Daniel Thomas
Blanford
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Headlines: December, 2010; Peace Corps Morocco; Directory of Morocco RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Morocco RPCVs; Gay Issues; Civil Rights; Speaking Out
When this story was posted in March 2011, this was on the front page of PCOL:
Peace Corps Online The Independent News Forum serving Returned Peace Corps Volunteers
| Peace Corps: The Next Fifty Years As we move into the Peace Corps' second fifty years, what single improvement would most benefit the mission of the Peace Corps? Read our op-ed about the creation of a private charitable non-profit corporation, independent of the US government, whose focus would be to provide support and funding for third goal activities. Returned Volunteers need President Obama to support the enabling legislation, already written and vetted, to create the Peace Corps Foundation. RPCVs will do the rest. |
| How Volunteers Remember Sarge As the Peace Corps' Founding Director Sargent Shriver laid the foundations for the most lasting accomplishment of the Kennedy presidency. Shriver spoke to returned volunteers at the Peace Vigil at Lincoln Memorial in September, 2001 for the Peace Corps 40th. "The challenge I believe is simple - simple to express but difficult to fulfill. That challenge is expressed in these words: PCV's - stay as you are. Be servants of peace. Work at home as you have worked abroad. Humbly, persistently, intelligently. Weep with those who are sorrowful, Care for those who are sick. Serve your wives, serve your husbands, serve your families, serve your neighbors, serve your cities, serve the poor, join others who also serve," said Shriver. "Serve, Serve, Serve. That's the answer, that's the objective, that's the challenge." |
| Memo to Incoming Director Williams PCOL has asked five prominent RPCVs and Staff to write a memo on the most important issues facing the Peace Corps today. Issues raised include the independence of the Peace Corps, political appointments at the agency, revitalizing the five-year rule, lowering the ET rate, empowering volunteers, removing financial barriers to service, increasing the agency's budget, reducing costs, and making the Peace Corps bureaucracy more efficient and responsive. Latest: Greetings from Director Williams |
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Story Source: IndyStar
This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Morocco; Gay Issues; Civil Rights; Speaking Out
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