New LGBT Employee Resources Group, SPECTRUM, Launched at Peace Corps

In Peace Corps’ efforts to become a more diverse and inclusive work place, the agency has launched and initiative to form affinity-based employee resource groups. Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) are agency supported groups which bring together staff from across the agency because of a common sense of identity that may be associated with their ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, professional experience, faith, disability or life interest. ERGs can be designed to provide support and professional development to participating members while also affording the organization a chance to gain valuable insight into effective recruitment and retention approaches.

Peace Corps joins the ranks of many public and private sector organizations which have begun to thoughtfully engage their diverse workforces via ERGs. At headquarters there has always been a small but mighty LGBTQ community. As such, when the opportunity for ERG formation presented itself the queer community mobilized. In March of 2013, members of SPECTRUM submitted a petition – with nearly 100 signatures – for formal recognition to Peace Corps’ Chief of Staff and the Office of Civil Rights and Diversity.

With approval from Peace Corps’ leadership, SPECTRUM has already started working diligently to fulfill its mission of raising awareness of LGBTQ issues and concerns related to Peace Corps staff (domestic and international) experience. The group focuses on three key areas:

• Organizing and hosting discussion sessions about the LGBTQ experience for Peace Corps staff. The goal of these discussions is to share the voice of the Peace Corps LGBTQ community and foster a more inclusive work environment for all Peace Corps staff regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. SPECTRUM hosted its first panel discussion on May 22, 2013 with representatives from Human Rights Campaign, USAID, Department of Justice and the RPCV community.

• Working with Peace Corps senior leadership, Africa, Europe, Mediterranean, Asia, Inter-America and Pacific regional staff; and internal working groups to identify strategies, provide resources, and offer appropriate staff training content to enhance the support provided to LGBTQ Volunteers serving overseas to bolster the likelihood of successful fulfillment of their 27-month service commitment. Members of SPECTRUM have been thoughtfully involved in the conversations leading up to the May 21, 2013 announcement of inviting same-sex couples to apply for service.

• Providing opportunities for the Peace Corps LGBTQ community to foster a sense of community, support and shared purpose. Members of SPECTRUM worked hand in hand with the DC Regional Recruitment Office to organize and 80 person contingent at the DC Pride Parade and an information table at the festival.

While SPECTRUM is in its early stages of development, we welcome the thoughts and ideas of the RPCV community. Please reach out to us at SPECTRUM@peacecorps.gov

All comments are welcome!