-- U.S. lesbian diplomat Melissa Schraibman (second from left) and her partner Mindy Michels (third from left), who helped found Albania's gay movement while stationed there, were honored at the State Department on Dec. 2 with the Secretary of State Award for Outstanding Volunteerism Overseas. Also pictured: Former U.S. ambassadors to Albania John Withers and Marcie Ries. Photo courtesy of Michels
-- U.S. lesbian diplomat Melissa Schraibman (second from left) and her partner Mindy Michels (third from left), who helped found Albania's gay movement while stationed there, were honored at the State Department on Dec. 2 with the Secretary of State Award for Outstanding Volunteerism Overseas. Also pictured: Former U.S. ambassadors to Albania John Withers and Marcie Ries. Photo courtesy of Michels