March 7th, 2007, 00:53
From this week's Economist (an article on diplomatic spouses, p.59 of the edition available in Bangkok)
Single gay diplomats are no longer disadvantaged by spouselessness. But those wanting to take their legally recognised partners with them face a lottery. The Netherlands gives same-sex partners full diplomatic privileges. America acknowledges them neither among its own diplomats nor in foreign officials posted there. A French diplomat in New York failed to secure a visa for his gay partner, despite their marriage-like pacte civil. His partner remained in Paris; he is now yet another commuter, this time across the Atlantic
Single gay diplomats are no longer disadvantaged by spouselessness. But those wanting to take their legally recognised partners with them face a lottery. The Netherlands gives same-sex partners full diplomatic privileges. America acknowledges them neither among its own diplomats nor in foreign officials posted there. A French diplomat in New York failed to secure a visa for his gay partner, despite their marriage-like pacte civil. His partner remained in Paris; he is now yet another commuter, this time across the Atlantic