WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus today called on President Danilo Medina of the Dominican Republic to support Ambassador James “Wally” Brewster, Jr. by renouncing the insulting efforts to remove the ambassador from office simply because of his sexual orientation. LGBT Caucus members Rep. Jan Schakowsky (IL-09) and Rep. Joe Kennedy (MA-04) took the lead to draft a bipartisan letter to President Medina reaffirming that Ambassador Brewster has strong and unambiguous support from Members of Congress.
“Ambassador Brewster is one of the most honorable and effective public servants I’ve ever known,” said LGBT Caucus Co-Chair Rep. David N. Cicilline (RI-02). “He has served the United States with distinction since he was unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate in 2013. This petition is the latest in a long line of unwarranted personal attacks that Ambassador Brewster and his husband, Bob, have endured in recent years. The president of the Dominican Republic needs to immediately renounce this petition and make clear that he does not support this kind of anti-LGBT rhetoric. I thank my colleagues, especially Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky and Congressman Joe Kennedy, for working relentlessly to bring attention to this issue. We need to continue to make clear that we won’t stand for these kinds of attacks on a very distinguished and respected public servant.”
“The homophobic and derogatory attacks led by a Catholic Cardinal directed at U.S. ambassador to the Dominican Republic, James “Wally” Brewster, Jr. are unacceptable and despicable,” said Rep. Jan Schakowsky (IL-09). “Ambassador Brewster and his husband are my personal friends and he is an outstanding representative of the United States and our democratic values. I am proud to stand with my colleagues in sending this letter to the President of the Dominican Republic, calling on him to express support for Ambassador Brewster and reaffirm the relationship between the United States and the Dominican Republic.”
“As Ambassador Brewster diligently works to promote cooperation between the United States and the Dominican Republic on law enforcement, economic development, human rights and public health, he strengthens the relationship between our two countries and proves that hateful words meant to disrespect him only reflect poorly upon those who speak them,” said Rep. Joe Kennedy (MA-04). “I stand with President Obama and with my colleagues in Congress to reaffirm our support for Ambassador Brewster.”
