Today, President Barack Obama nominated Rufus Gifford as the next U.S. ambassador to Denmark, and James Costos as ambassador to Spain. Both men are openly gay.
James Costos is Vice President of Global Licensing and Retail for Home Box Office (HBO). Before joining HBO in 2006, he was president and CEO of Eight Cylinders, Inc., an entertainment marketing and licensing agency. Previously, from 2002 to 2004, he was head of Promotions and Consumer Products at Revolution Studios in California. He began his career in New York as a fashion and retail executive. From 2001 to 2002, he was vice president of Retail for Hermes in New York, and from 1991 to 2001, he was vice president of Retail Operations for Tod’s in New York. Mr. Costos currently serves on the Board of Directors of The Humane Society of the United States. He received a B.A. from the University of Massachusetts.
Rufus Gifford most recently served as finance chair of the Presidential Inaugural Committee. He served as finance director for Obama for America from 2011 to 2012, and as finance director for the Democratic National Committee from 2009 to 2011. From 2008 to 2009, he was the California finance director for the Presidential Inaugural Committee, after working as a political consultant in California from 2004 to 2008. From 1998 to 2004, Mr. Gifford was creative executive for Davis Entertainment, an independent film company based in Los Angeles. He is currently a Federal Club Member of the Human Rights Campaign and a Partner in Conservation for the World Wildlife Fund. He received a B.A. from Brown University.
“We congratulate Rufus Gifford and James Costos, whose nominations reflect the president’s strong commitment to eliminating barriers to public service for LGBT Americans. I’m confident they will both represent the United States with distinction,” said Chuck Wolfe, president and CEO of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund and Institute.
Human Rights Campaign (HRC) President Chad Griffin issued the following statements:
“Ambassador-designate James Costos is a true citizen of the world. 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. 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.”
The nominations must be confirmed by the U.S. Senate.
I sincerely hope the President’s motive was to appoint the most qualified person to the job and not merely to “eliminate barriers to public service.” The world is about so much more than whether or not one is gay.