U.S. Halts Visas For Diplomats' Same-Sex Partners If They're Not Married
Officials say the policy promotes parity with opposite-sex couples. But critics fear for these foreign diplomats and staff, many of whom hail from countries where same-sex couples suffer persecution.
The State Department has reversed course on its visa requirements for same-sex partners of foreign diplomats and the staff of U.S.-based international organizations. On Monday, it implemented a policy denying visas to such partners if they're not legally married.
U.S. diplomats had announced the decision to foreign delegations in July, saying the move is intended to render department policy consistent between same-sex and opposite-sex couples. Previously, under under then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, "domestic partners" were considered members of the family â and thus eligible for a G-4 visa.
