Peace Corps to allow same-sex couples to serve together

Earlier today, the Peace Corps announced that it will allow same-sex couples to serve overseas together in gay-friendly countries starting on June 3.

Peace Corps Deputy Director Carrie Hessler-Radelet says the change will diversify the pool of applicants who want to help improve the quality of education, health care and economic development in host countries around the world.

Married couples have been serving together in the Peace Corps since the organization was founded in 1961. About 7 percent of overseas assignments are currently filled by married volunteers who serve together.

Same-sex couples, however, will only be placed in countries where "homosexual acts are not criminalized" for safety reasons, press director Shira Kramer told CBS News.

Read the full press release here.  Like straight couples, same-sex couples will have to provide official documentation of their relationship.  The Peace Corps has already put together a good FAQ for same-sex couples thinking of serving.  Read it here.

Long overdue, I think.  Who knows how many couples have been unable to serve until now?