[View the story "Dominicans slam openly gay U.S. Ambassador" on Storify ]Dominicans slam openly gay U.S. Ambassador Many in Catholic country oppose nomination of James "Wally" Brewster. Storified by The Stream · Thu, Jul 04 2013 11:18:40
Dominican Republic: Cardinal uses derogatory word in reference to out US ambassador nomineeblabbeando
Many people tweeted the country's president,
Danilo Medina , to not accept Brewster as the island's ambassador. Daniel De Jesús tweeted:
"I don't want a gay activist as an ambassador. @DaniloMedina #MySilenceIsNotAnOption #ValuesAreNotTaboo" NO quiero un acctivista gay como embajador. @DaniloMedina #MisilencioNoEsUnaOpción #ValorNoEsTabúDaniel De Jesus
One person is even calling for a July 15 protest, asking people to wear black "against sin and especially, the appointment of a gay activist ambassador."
Unete a la protesta el Lunes 15 de Julio, vistete de negro en contra del pecado y en especial, la puesta de un activista Gay como Embajador.Samuel Caro
"@DaniloMedina President we don't want a gay ambassador, please do something, do what has never been done before!" said Ingrid Bueno.
@DaniloMedina Presidente no queremos al embajador gay, por favor haga algo, haga lo que nunca se ha hecho!Ingrid Bueno
Others were supportive of the decision. @michaelmauelfe said, "It is embarrassing that some in the Dominican Republic are rejecting the assigned U.S. ambassador for being openly gay. #NoMorePrejudices"
Vergonzoso el rechazo de algunos en Republica Dominicana al embajador designado de USA por ser abiertamente gay. #NoMasPrejuiciosËL GØ®ÐïTØ FLØW ™
Rafeal Junior asked, "Question: are you really surprised by the attitude of the Catholic Church towards the gay ambassador and them wanting to get rid of him?"
Una pregunta, de verdad están sorprendidos por la actitud de la iglesia católica con lo de el embajador gay y quererlo sacar a la mala?Rafael Junior
Rights groups in the United States have also joined in supporting Brewster as well as other LGBT US diplomats like John Berry, who was named ambassador to Australia.
HRC Statements on the Nominations of John Berry and Wally BrewsterPosted by June 24, 2013 Last Friday the White House announced the nominations of John Berry to be Ambassador to Australia, and James "Wal...
The Dominican government has formally accepted the nomination. The country's U.S. embassy shared this
statement with the media:
"The Dominican Republic is a democracy with a vibrant media and a wide diversity of opinions on every conceivable topic,"thecable.foreignpolicy.com
"However, it is the position of the Government of the Dominican Republic that a person´s sexual preference is strictly a personal matter and it looks forward to working constructively with Mr. Brewster in his official capacity once his nomination is approved by the US Senate."thecable.foreignpolicy.com
Handout photo from US Embassy in the Dominican Republic.
