idealist.org

A Pride Month Interview - Lesbian and Gay Perspectives in AmeriCorps and Peace Corps

June is Pride Month, so The New Service podcast from Idealist.org
is taking a closer look at the experience of lesbian, gay, bisexual,
and transgender (LGBT) individuals serving in Peace Corps and
AmeriCorps.

Today's guests are lesbian and gay former service corps participants:

• Chad Jeremy, a former AmeriCorps NCCC corps member, currently a
  training specialist with AmeriCorps NCCC in Perry Point, MD. Chad is an
  officer with National Service GLOBE, an affinity group for LGBT folks involved with national service.


• Kate Kuykendall, a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (China,
  1999-2001); currently a Public Affairs Officer for Peace Corps Los
  Angeles. Kate's a member of the LGBT Returned Peace Corps Volunteer group.


• Martha Tierney, a former Notre Dame AmeriCorps member, currently a
  program offer for AmeriCorps National at the Corporation for National and Community Service. Martha is also a National Service GLOBE officer.

The New Service podcast host Amy Potthast speaks with them about agency policies affecting LGBT service—including policies around joining the corps with a same-sex
partner; the experience of serving as a lesbian or gay corps member; and opportunities to serve on projects that relate to LGBT issues.

Click here to listen.

Also check out our interivew with one of the only known transgender Returned Peace Corps Volunteers about his service. (Because of scheduling issues, and as a way to maintain his anonymity, we agreed to a written interview with him.)

Finally, if you are an LGBT individual considering Peace Corps service, register for Kate Kuykendall's online information session "Have Rainbow, Will Travel: The LGBT Experience in the Peace Corps" on Saturday, June 20, 2009. She'll introduce Peace Corps service more specifically, and also address issues of special concern to LGBT folks.