LGBTQ Ambassadors
With the recent appointment of Ted Osisu as the new U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam, it is revealing to look at the list of LGBTQ Ambassadors around the world.
Not surprising, perhaps, is that there are not very many of them. As political representatives in other countries, a certain sensitivity to that country's culture and opinion is required. Too many countries are still accommodating, or completely intolerant, toward LGBTQ individuals around the world. However, President Obama challenged that notion in the appointment of James Brewster as Ambassador to Dominican Republic, which outraged that country's Catholics.
President Bill Clinton of the U.S. showed his mettle in appointing that country's first gay ambassador, James Hormel, in 1999. Later, the country's move to greater acceptance of LGBTQ individuals in the State Department received a significant boost from his wife and Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton. She implemented new policies toward LGBTQ members of her department and recognition of their spouses.
Even more disappointing, perhaps, is the complete absence of lesbians in the Ambassador list. Why is this so? Perhaps more of an issue should be made of this fact.
Other countries with LGBTQ Ambassadors are limited to Great Britain and France. The advancement on this issue rests principally with the U.S.
- John Berry, U.S. Ambassador to Australia
- James Brewster, U.S. Ambassador to Dominican Republic
- James Buchanan, U.S. Ambassador to Great Britain
- James Clark, Great Britain Ambassador to Luxembourg
- Mark Dybul, U.S. Ambassador and Global Aids Coordinator
- Rufus Gifford, U.S. Ambassador to Denmark
- Michael Guest, U.S. Ambassador to Romania
- James Hormel, U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg
- David Huebner, U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa
- Roger Karoutchi, French Ambassador to the OECD
- James Lostas, U.S. Ambassador to Spain and Andorra
- Ted Osius, U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam
