Comments for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Peace Corps Alumni

Comment on HIV Positive and Serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer by tenaciousrookie

tenaciousrookie — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 05:58:17 +0000

Thank you for your touching and personal post. I truly admire your fortitude and conviction.

Comment on The Life of a Transgender PCV: Are You a Boy or a Girl? by Ariel Nodoka (@AnArtemistic)

Ariel Nodoka (@AnArtemistic) — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 21:52:28 +0000

Thank you for sharing your experience! It is nice to see there is a place for transgender volunteers in the Peace Corps.

Comment on From Canvassing to Closets: Life as a Lesbian in Jordan by Brittany Clark (@britnclark)

Brittany Clark (@britnclark) — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 03:11:58 +0000

Thank you for sharing your story. I have been thinking about the Peace Corps for as long as I remember, and as my interests fall mostly in the Middle East, I’ve been concerned about having to jump back into the closet in order not to offend or alienate myself from the people I hope to serve. However, it’s a great comfort to hear about your experience and how rewarding service was to you, despite many odds.
To the response above, I’d like to say that it isn’t a disservice to future Jordan PCVs, because it is a personal choice. My host family in Paris, one of the most liberal countries one can travel too for a study abroad program, still has no idea that I am queer and I have no intention of coming out to them. They wouldn’t react by accepting me; they instead would chalk it up to the source of our disagreements and move on. Culturally, I can understand that Jordanian’s would be much less likely to accept a gay person, even if they have had great experiences with them. If it is more important to you to retain those relationships (and it obviously is), it is not worth sacrificing them.

Comment on The Life of a Transgender PCV: Are You a Boy or a Girl? by transparentguy

transparentguy — Sat, 16 Jun 2012 00:14:58 +0000

““Are you a boy or a girl?” This is the chorus of my life. I listen to it in another language now, but the answer is the same. I say, “Yes.””

I sometimes respond this way, too. Usually, people take it as a good-natured way to tell them to mind their own business.

Thanks for sharing your experience. I have considered teaching overseas, but have been very hesitant because I don’t fit neatly in the boxes.

Comment on Is Peace Corps Safety Too Safe? And What Today’s Safety Culture Means For The LGBT Community by rsim6100

rsim6100 — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 13:33:08 +0000

I like your thoughts on the LGBT issues. Howver, I strongly disagree on putting volunteers in remote areas. I also disagree with having volunteers serve alone. Many volunteers ET due to loneliness and isolation. The community’s need of getting to know a volunteer should not come before a volunteer’s feeling of security.

Comment on Sometimes I Want to Live in Buenos Aires, Too by rsim6100

rsim6100 — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 13:11:58 +0000

I keep reading stories about the capital cities being the places to be. My question is, “Then why not save and spend one weekend a month in (Tel Aviv or Buenos Aires) or whatever accepting larger city? Yes, I hear that the stipend is low-but I’d forgo a meal, a night watchman or a laundry helper in order to afford the trek and have a social hiatus monthly. It would be worth the sacrifice and something monthly to look forward to for the two years.

Comment on From Canvassing to Closets: Life as a Lesbian in Jordan by rsim6100

rsim6100 — Sat, 09 Jun 2012 14:10:17 +0000

How did u meet your girlfriend? Was she a pcv too? Why not trek to tel aviv monthly if it was more accepting? I think u do future jordan pcv a disservice to not come out to your host family now that u have left. This will prove to them that gays are great people since they loved u without knowing.

Comment on 20 Years after an HIV Scare in Africa by hivvideos

hivvideos — Sat, 09 Jun 2012 12:59:01 +0000

hivvideos…

20 Years after an HIV Scare in Africa « Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Peace Corps Alumni…

Comment on Building My Own Closet in Paraguay by Jay Joseph

Jay Joseph — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 13:39:57 +0000

Hi, I just read this and wanted to reach out to you. One, to share that in 1999 I lived a serious experience; very similar in such that I went through each detail you noted, but just in San German, Puerto Rico. The truth is, whether they guess or not, you can’t let that anxiety manifest, because it did with me and drove me crazy. I lost sight of my goal and the experience was not that pleasant. So, instead of building your own closet, build your own experience. Keep exploring and looking for outlets, but don’t compare this-to-that. Rather, enjoy this experience as it is incomparable due to the context, however, it could be awesome. I wish you all the best and embrace you and pray it got better and if you are still there, that it gets even better!

Comment on Jopara (Paraguay) Mission Statement by Fiona Martin

Fiona Martin — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 21:44:55 +0000

Aidan,
I would love to compare notes with you and ask you some questions about the Safe Space training.