SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Aaron Belkin, director of the Palm Center, today issued the following statement on the passing of Ambassador James Hormel:

“The LGBTQ community and the nation lost a true patriot with the passing of Ambassador James Hormel, whose lasting and historic impact includes serving as the first openly gay U.S. ambassador. Ambassador Hormel was a generous philanthropist, a champion of HIV/AIDS research, and a beloved community member. He was a longtime supporter of the Palm Center’s work on LGBTQ military service, and for that, we will always be grateful to him. We thank Ambassador Hormel for his service and support throughout the years. He will be sorely missed.”