From the petition:
We request the Obama administration to remove the U.S. ambassador in the Dominican Republic, James W. Brewster for primarily promoting in his official duties an LGBT agenda inconsistent with the Christian cultural values and tradition of the Dominican Republic.
Since his arrival in November 2013, he has supported the inauguration of an LGBT Chamber of Commerce. Amb. Brewster involves his spouse in official activities like a visit to a school, which caused media outrage for not being in accordance with Dominican family values.
USAID is also supporting LGBT activities with their current budget. Though we have proved to be a tolerant country, we deem this agenda disrespectful to the culture and traditions of most Dominican families.
From the Washington Blade:
Gay U.S. Ambassador to the Dominican Republic James “Wally” Brewster on Wednesday spoke exclusively with the Washington Blade about a petition that urges President Obama to remove him from his post for promoting an “LGBT agenda.”
“This is very much a social transition that is happening in the Dominican Republic, a conversation that’s needed to happen,” said Brewster during an interview at the State Department that took place during the annual Chiefs of Mission Conference.
More than 30,000 people have signed the petition since a group of Dominican evangelicals posted it to the White House’s website last week.
A group of Catholic bishops in the Dominican Republic on Monday urged the country’s government to formally complain to the U.S. about Brewster’s “conduct” that includes visiting schools and attending public events with his husband, Bob Satawake.
National Security Advisor Susan Rice last week reiterated the Obama administration’s support of Brewster. A group of Dominican LGBT rights advocates have also posted their own petition to the White House website in support of the openly gay ambassador.
“What we’re seeing is traditional tactics that people use to push people back in the closet, to push allies back from wanting to come out and support the rights of those who are marginalized,” said Brewster. “For me, for Bob, we know we have the support of the president.”
The Blade points out the below tweet from a member of the Dominican Republic’s House of Deputies, who calls Brewster a “faggot.” They note: “Cardinal Nicolás de Jesús López Rodríguez of the Archdiocese of Santo Domingo has also repeatedly used anti-gay slurs to describe Brewster. “
Para los defensores del Embajador USA, el diccionario de la lengua española los llama MARICON! espero estén complacidos!
— Gladys Feliz (@GladysFDiputada) March 16, 2016
VIDEO: Brewster and his husband respond to the furor in an interview with local Spanish-language media. A notable line from Brewster: “If a person is gay, are they not allowed to walk around in society?” Watch this.