LGBT Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Association


April 2021 Update: The LGBT RPCV Association is not presently an active organization. If you are a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer interested in relaunching an LGBTQ+ affiliate please contact the National Peace Corps Association. 

Mission

The LGBT RPCV Association promotes Peace Corps ideals and the legal, political and social rights of LGBT people around the world. The LGBT RPCV Association is a proud supporter of the United States Peace Corps and an affiliate of the National Peace Corps Association, the official Peace Corps alumni organization.

Who we are …
We connect LGBTQ+ Returned Peace Corps Volunteers to build community, promote Peace Corps service, advocate for our equality, and advance human rights around the world. We are an organization of proud lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and others who are past or current Peace Corps Volunteers, staff, and friends. Founded in Washington D.C. in 1991, we have members throughout world who have served in Peace Corps since its beginning in 1961. We are an active affiliate member of the National Peace Corps Association.

Story Archive

Our cornerstone activity has been sharing stories of the LGBTQ+ Peace Corps experience. We collected more than 200 queer volunteers’ reflections from service in dozens of countries. In 2021, for our organization’s 30th anniversary, we donated our story archive to the Peace Corps Community Archive at the American University Library.

If you’ve got a story to tell that is in sync with our purpose, “We promote Peace Corps ideals and the legal, political and social rights of LGBT people around the world,” we’re interested in hearing from you. Contact info@lgbtrpcv.org with your articles, ideas and questions.

Consider these guidelines when submitting and article: 

  • up to 1800 words, but flexible with longer articles
  • describes experiences, situations which would be helpful to LGBTQ+ applicants, nominees, trainees, recent PCVs and people in our community wanting to know more about the Peace Corps
  • We reserve the right to edit all submissions, but never publish without final confirmation/consent from the writer
  • Two to three (2-3) photos with captions

For security reasons, we suggest publishing articles from current PCVs with an anonymous byline. Current and returned volunteers should consider the safety of anyone living in-country when telling their stories.