James Hormel
#lgbtqpridemonthProfiles
James Hormel was an activist, philanthropist, diplomat, and the first openly gay man to serve as a U.S. ambassador. After graduating from University of Chicago Law School, he served for many years as dean and director of admissions. In 1981 he helped form the Human Rights Campaign, which has grown to become the largest LGBT advocacy group in the nation. He was nominated by President Clinton in 1997 to be ambassador to Luxembourg, but several conservative senators blocked his nomination, accusing him of forwarding a “gay agenda.” He was finally sworn in as ambassador in 1999.