Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Emphasis Program
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Emphasis Program
Louisiana NRCS LGBT Manager: Maxwell Cox, 318-728-2081
The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Program Manager is responsible for providing LGBT awareness and education to NRCS employees and partners while focusing on such issues as employment, retention, promotion, training, career development and advancement opportunities affecting LGBT applicants and employees at NRCS.
The LGBT Emphasis program is an integral part of the overall equal employment opportunity (EEO) program and is designed to do the following:
- Ensure that gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people receive equal treatment in all aspects of employment.
- Increase the number of LGBT people employed in all professional, administrative, technical, clerical, and other categories, series and grade levels.
- Provide opportunities to participate in training, career development and leadership programs.
- Encourage the participation of LGBT populations in all NRCS-sponsored programs and activities.
- Provide a network of professional support for LGBT.
- Provide mentoring support to LGBT in the workforce.
- Educate all NRCS employees by raising the level of awareness of LGBT workplace issues and concerns.
In 2010 Mr. Bill Scaggs developed a very informative presentation on why we have a LGBT SEPM. Please take a look.
The following document requires Adobe Acrobat.
Including Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in Diversity (PDF; 206 KB)
New! Federal Benefits for Same-Sex Partners
Participation in the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program
Long term care insurance is a smart way to protect your income and assets and remain financially independent should you need long term care services at home, in a nursing home, or at another long term care facility. Long term care is personal care and other related services provided on an extended basis to people who need help with specific everyday activities (called activities of daily living) or who need supervision due to a severe cognitive impairment, such as Alzheimer’s disease.
Relocation and Temporary Duty Assignment Allowances
The Federal Travel Regulation’s definition of “immediate family member” has been revised to include same-sex partners and their dependents. This means those same-sex partners and their dependents are eligible to receive travel funds related to relocation expenses, which may include costs related to a house hunting trip, transportation of household goods, transportation of the Federal employee and their family, lodging and meals during relocation travel, and temporary storage of household goods.
Child Care Subsidies and Services
The children of an employee’s same-sex partner fall within definition of “child” for the purposes of child-care subsidies and services. Note that not all agencies and offices offer child-care subsidies and services.
Access to Employee Assistance Programs
The Federal government offers free counseling services for employees. Same-sex partners of Federal employees and their children qualify as family members eligible to receive assistance.
Access to Non-Competitive Job Appointments When Accompanying Same-Sex Partner on an Overseas Assignment
When a Federal employee is reassigned to an overseas appointment, certain family members, including spouses and same-sex partners, are eligible to receive job appointments when accompanying the Federal employee.
Access to Evacuation Payments
In the event of a natural disaster, the heads of Federal agencies may direct employees and their families to evacuate from their location and may reimburse Federal employees for costs related to evacuation travel. Same-sex partners and their children qualify as dependents eligible to receive evacuation payments.
Unpaid Leave for Family Activities
Federal employees are granted 24 hours of unpaid leave to cover school activities, routine family medical visits, and elderly relatives’ health needs. This benefit has been extended to include the needs of same-sex partners and their children.
Insurable Interest in a Federal Retiree
A person has an “insurable interest” in something or someone when loss or damage to the item or individual would cause that person to suffer a financial loss or certain other kinds of losses. Same-sex partners have been added to the list of people presumed to have an insurable interest in a Federal retiree.
Access to Credit Union Membership and Fitness Facilities
Some NRCS offices offer membership in local credit unions and reduced rates at Federal fitness facilities. Same-sex partners of Federal employees are now eligible to receive these services.
Please see the documents below for information about the Supreme Court ruling over Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA):
The following documents require Adobe Acrobat.
The White House - Office of the Press Secretary
Office of Personnel Management Memos:
News:
Federal Legislation affecting LGBT - Do you want more info?
The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) provides a quick view of federal legislation that affects LGBT. You can find this information at the following link:http://www.hrc.org/laws_and_elections/4732.htm
