Fit to Serve: Reflections on a Secret Life, Private Struggle, and Public Battle to Become the First Openly Gay U.S. Ambassador: Reflections on a Secret Life, Private Struggle, and Public Battle to Become the First Openly Gay U.S. Ambassador

This is the memoir of James C. HormelOCoa man who grew up feeling different not only because his family owned the Hormel OC empireOCO and lived in a twenty-six-bedroom house in a small Midwest town, but because he was gay at a time when homosexuality was not discussed or accepted. Outwardly he tried to live up to the life his father wanted for himOCohe was a successful professional, had married a lovely woman, and had childrenOCobut as vola-tile changes in the late 1960s impeded on the American psyche, Hormel realized that he could not hide his true self forever. Hormel moved to New York City, became an antiwar activist, battled homophobia, lost dear friends to AIDS, and set out to become AmericaOCOs first openly gay ambassador, a position he finally won during the Clinton administration. Today, Hormel continues to fight for LGBT equality and gay marriage rights. This is a passionate and inspiring true story of the determination for human equality and for attaining your own version of the American DreamOColife, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness without exception. " James C. Hormel--a Man Who Grew Up Feeling Different, Not Only Because His Family Built The Spam Meatpacking Empire And Lived In The Only Mansion In His Small Midwestern Town, But Because He Was Gay At A Time When Homosexuality Was Not Mentioned, Let Alone Accepted. Outwardly, He Tried To Live Up To The Life His Parents Wanted For Him--he Was A Successful Professional, Married To A Lovely Woman, And Father Of Five Children--but As The 1960s Reshaped The American Psyche, Hormel Felt That He Could No Longer Hide His True Self. He Became An Antiwar Activist, Fought Homophobia, Lost Half His Friends To Aids, And Set Out To Become America's First Openly Gay Ambassador, A Position He Finally Won During The Clinton Administration. Today, Hormel Continues To Fight For Lgbt Equality And Gay Marriage Rights. His Passionate Story Will Inspire You To Fight For Fairness And For Your Own Version Of The American Dream.--from Publisher Description. Chapter 1 They Will Eat You Alive 1 -- Chapter 2 Cockeyed World 11 -- Chapter 3 War Years 27 -- Chapter 4 Rhymes With Normal 39 -- Chapter 5 Dismal Failure 49 -- Chapter 6 A Rough Senior Year 61 -- Chapter 7 Fear Of Discovery 71 -- Chapter 8 Stepping Out 83 -- Chapter 9 Influences Of The Day 93 -- Chapter 10 Political Tourist 109 -- Chapter 11 A New Life 123 -- Chapter 12 Death And Birth 143 -- Chapter 13 Fit To Serve 161 -- Chapter 14 Working On My Résumé 179 -- Chapter 15 The Smearing 193 -- Chapter 16 The Dangers Of Coloring Books 211 -- Chapter 17 Not Dead Yet 223 -- Chapter 18 Luxembourg 233 -- Chapter 19 The Value Of Activism 249. James C. Hormel And Erin Martin. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. "This is the memoir of James C. Hormel -- a man who grew up feeling different not only because his family owned the Hormel empire and lived in a twenty-six-bedroom house in a small Midwest town, but because he was gay at a time when homosexuality was not discussed or accepted. Outwardly he tried to live up to the life his father wanted for him -- he was a successful professional, had married a lovely woman, and had children -- but as volatile changes in the late 1960s impeded on the American psyche, Hormel realized that he could not hide his true self forever. Hormel moved to New York City, became an antiwar activist, battled homophobia, lost dear friends to AIDS, and set out to become America's first openly gay ambassador, a position he finally won during the Clinton administration. Today, Hormel continues to fight for LGBT equality and gay marriage rights. This is a passionate and inspiring true story of the determination for human equality and for attaining your own version of the American Dream -- life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness without exception"--Provided by publisher A memoir of one of James C Hormel's heirs - a man who grew up feeling different not only because his family owned an empire and lived in a twenty-six bedroom house in a small town in Minnesota but because he was gay at a time when homosexuality was not discussed or accepted.