Ambassador James C. Hormel
A Lifetime of Philanthropic Efforts

Aug 13 | archive | subscribe

It was James Hormel’s endowment of $500,000 that helped make The James C. Hormel Gay and Lesbian Center, inside the San Francisco Public Library, a reality. The center is the gateway to collections documenting GBLT history and culture. Hormel, the San Francisco heir to the Hormel food empire, was inspired to give generously and to move swiftly.

He explains, "I was afraid that some of our history was being lost if it wasn't being preserved or wasn't the focus of a preservation effort."

Hormel's personal story is part of the rich GLBT narrative. Like many men and women from his generation, Hormel married and started a family. After his coming out and divorce in the 1966, the father of four moved to San Francisco where he got swept up in local politics.

He helped defeat Prop 6, which would have prevented gays and lesbians from teaching in the public schools. "I think we really need to know our history, the history of our struggle, which continues to this day," he says.

In 1981 Hormel became a founding member of the Human Rights Campaign. In 1997, then President Clinton nominated Hormel to be ambassador to Luxembourg, a population of which is 97 percent Catholic. His nomination drew criticism from conservative groups. The process he says was difficult. "Well, it was personally painful because the attacks were very personal."

His nomination eventually was approved by a vote of sixteen to two, a major victory for human rights. A vindicated Hormel served as ambassador through December 2000. Today, he lives with his partner Timothy C. Wu here in San Francisco. They are Macy's Passort's 2007 Silver Celebration Honorary Chairs.

Photo: Steven Petrow, Event Chairs Timothy Wu and Ambassador James C. Hormel, and amfAR Founding Chair and Chairman of the Board Dr. Mathilde Krim.