Government Officials and Experts in Foreign Affairs Who Have Identified as LGBTQ
A country's relationship with other nations is often one of the top priorities of government. These relationships can include trade, immigration, defense, research, cultural exchange, and more. Capable and experienced individuals in a position to lead or advise the government in these areas of external relationships are highly valued.
Members of the LGBTQ community have been present in global foreign affairs. They include the pinnacle of responsibility in government, the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Among this group are Britain's Alan Duncan, Germany's Guido Westerwelle, Russia's Georgy Chicherin, and recently Latvia's Edgars Rinkevics.
There have been a few infamous and high profile LGBTQ spies that have been part of a country's foreign affairs teams. Notable among these include Britain's Guy Burgess and France's Chevalier d' Eon de Beaumont.
Few women are present among this group, and no transgender individuals. Historically, it has been believed that discriminatory behaviour toward these individuals would jeopardize delicate relationships between countries. Pioneers such as Australia's Penny Wong, Germany's Miriam Meckel and Britain's Judith Gough are proving this otherwise.
In the United States, the group Gays & Lesbians in Foreign Affairs Agencies (glifaa) was established as a non-profit group to serve the interests of the community in the State Department, the Peace Corps, and other such government organizations.
We have identified the following LGBTQ individuals as notable in the field of foreign affairs. This list does not include Ambassadors, who are separately revealed in the profile on LGBTQ Ambassadors. Simply click on their names to read their fascinating biographies.
Australia
Canada
Denmark
France
Germany
Great Britain
- Chris Bryant
- Guy Burgess
- Conor Burns
- Ian Dodds
- Prince George, Duke of Kent
- Alan Duncan
- Ian Duncan
- Judith Gough
- David Smith
- Stephen Wall
Ireland
Latvia
Luxembourg
Mexico
New Zealand
Russia
Spain
Sweden
The Netherlands
United States