The FBI last month denied a Freedom of Information Act request for files relating to the gay late ambassador James Hormel. Hormel, a philanthropist and the first openly LGBTQ person to represent the United States as an ambassador (to Luxembourg from 1999 to 2001), died in San Francisco August 13 at the age of 88.
Former President Bill Clinton nominated Hormel as ambassador in 1997 but it was contentious. Senate Republicans and conservative Christians opposed Hormel's nomination, and Clinton ultimately employed a recess appointment in May 1999, with Hormel being sworn in a month later.
Since his appointment, there have been a number of gay men appointed as ambassadors. Following Hormel's death, gay San Francisco activist Michael Petrelis