The Choice: His Country or His Partner?

Michael E. Guest didn't expect his 26-year career at the State Department to end like this. But after three years of petitioning Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and her senior management team to change policies that apply to same-sex partners of foreign service officers—and getting no results—he decided to quit. During his retirement ceremony in the State Department treaty room on Nov. 20, the former ambassador to Romania told colleagues that the department's policies forced him to choose between obligations to his partner and service to his country. "That anyone should have to make that choice is a stain on the secretary's leadership, and a shame for this institution and our country," he said.

Guest, an openly gay man, was referring to regulations that deny gay and lesbian partners the same rights afforded to heterosexual spouses. Such rights include guaranteed evacuation in case of a medical emergency, antiterrorism security training and even transportation to overseas posts—which is covered for the family pet of a foreign service officer. According to surveys by Gays and Lesbians in Foreign Affairs Agencies, a nonprofit organization that represents the concerns of gay and lesbian personnel, an estimated 350 gay or lesbian partners are affected by these regulations. [Unmarried heterosexual partners are also affected by the same regulations.]

State Department spokesman Curtis Cooper says that, as with any issue of concern to the department's employees, the policies are continually reviewed. Cooper says the department does not engage in unlawful discrimination. "Same-sex and heterosexual unmarried partners of foreign service employees at posts abroad are treated in an equivalent manner," he says. "Michael Guest has described his reasons for retiring, and we understand and respect his decision was personal." Guest spoke to NEWSWEEK's Jessica Ramirez about his decision to take early retirement—and what he hopes the administration will do now. Excerpts:

How did you come to the decision to retire early?
Michael Guest: I would have to go overseas in two years. If this administration hasn't done anything to change these policies after three years of me trying to get them to do so, then I have no confidence that they will between now and the time I have to go overseas. And I would not go overseas with my partner again unless some of these things that are important to his safety, effectiveness and fair treatment are resolved.

Of the 26 years that you served, how many did you spend overseas?
Probably about half the time.

How long have you been with your partner?
12 years.