Obama Nominates Two More Openly Gay Ambassadors

The White House nominated James Costos as U.S. ambassador to Spain, and Rufus Gifford as U.S. ambassador to Denmark.

President Obama Friday nominated two additional openly gay U.S. ambassadors. If confirmed, the U.S. will have six out ambassadors to countries around the world.

The White House today announced the nomination of former HBO executive James Costos as the U.S. ambassador to Spain, and Rufus Gifford, a former finance official for the Democratic National Committee, Obama for America, and the Presidential Inaugural Committee, as the U.S. ambassador to Denmark. Both Denmark and Spain are among the 13 countries worldwide that have embraced legal marriage equality.

“Ambassador-designate James Costos is a true citizen of the world,” said Human Rights Campaign president Chad Griffin in a statement. “He has incredible global business experience and is a respected and innovative leader. He has solid business and political relationships at the highest levels and a proven commitment to community, philanthropy, human rights, and democracy that make him an outstanding choice to be the nation's next ambassador to Spain.”

“Rufus Gifford is a terrific choice to represent our country in Denmark,” Griffin continued. “His demonstrated leadership and unwavering commitment to democracy and human rights will serve him well as he represents America’s interests abroad. I urge the Senate to confirm his nomination.”

Last week the White House nominated another gay man, Daniel Baer, currently a deputy assistant secretary of state for the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, to serve as the ambassador to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.