Openly gay ambassador seeking to be US Ambassador to the United Nations
US Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell, who is openly gay, is seeking to be the next United Nations Ambassador after President Trump’s original pick, Heather Nauert, withdrew he candidacy for the position. The position is open after Ambassador Nikki Haley resigned.
While Grenell is reportedly not the president’s top choice for the job, the ambassador is coming to Washington for unscheduled meetings at the White House, according to CNN.
Earlier this week, Grenell hosted LGBTQ+ leaders in Europe, to focus on a US initiative to decriminalize homosexuality. Seventy-one countries still penalize homosexual activity to change their laws. Some of those countries, including Iran, subject LGBTQ people to the death penalty or imprisonment.
“U.S. embassies in Europe and the State Department’s human rights bureau are organizing the effort, which kicked off Tuesday with a strategy dinner that included a dozen LGBT activists from Europe flown in by the U.S. Embassy in Berlin,” reported NBC News.
“The vocal push from Grenell, the highest-profile openly gay person serving in Trump’s administration, stands in contrast to the administration’s perceived record on gay rights. Vice President Mike Pence, in particular, has faced intense criticism from LGBT groups who argue he’s supported policies that are anti-LGBT, such as opposing same-sex marriage and opposing the lifting of the ban on gays serving openly in the military.”
When asked whether Pence, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Trump were on board with his efforts, Grenell said, “Decriminalizing homosexuality is something that people absolutely agree is a policy that we have to move forward on.”
Grenell clearly is interested in the UN position. He is seen as one of the few US ambassadors who has a direct line to the White House and has close ties to national security adviser John Bolton, according to CNN.
The administration has plans to downgrade the UN Ambassador position from Cabinet status, making it less attractive to Grenell, CNN reported.
Some LGBTQ groups in the United States have been dismissive of Grenell’s efforts, suggesting the Trump administration was trying to paper over its broader policies that have rolled back gay rights. GLAAD, in a statement to NBC News, pointed out that the administration has “attacked LGBTQ people in the U.S. over 90 times since taking office.”
When NBC asked Grenell if he is interested in the UN position, he replied, “I serve at the pleasure of the president.”
In addition to Ambassador Grenell, others being considered for the UN position are John James, a former Michigan Republican Senate candidate, who is consider the leading contender; Ambassador to France Jamie McCourt; and former National Security Council official Dina Powell, according to CNN.
Grenell is no stranger to the United Nations. He served as US spokesman at the UN from 2001 to 2008, after being appointed by President George W. Bush. He is a registered Republican. Matt Lashey is his longtime partner.
Copyright The Gayly – February 21, 2019 @ 10:50 a.m. CST.