Fit to Serve cover art

Fit to Serve

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

 Preview

Get 30 days of Premium Plus free

$14.95/mo. after 30-day free trial. Cancel anytime.
Try for $0.00
More purchase options
Buy Now for $23.35

Buy Now for $23.35

About this listen

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 26 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.

©2011 James C. Hormel and Erin Martin (P)2013 Audible, Inc. Biographies & Memoirs Business International Relations Personal Development Personal Success Politicians Politics & Activism Politics & Government Professionals & Academics Racism & Discrimination Social Sciences Discrimination Equality New York
All stars
Most Relevant
And then he lost me. Telling LGBTQ plus folk that nothing will get better if they don’t come out is COMPLETELY TONE DEAF. He never acknowledged his extreme privilege as a wealthy white man. Truly a shake my head moment. No.

Excellent…until the last chapter

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.