Donald Trump appoints out gay man Richard Grenell to major diplomatic role

LGBT Republicans are claiming a victory after President Donald Trump handed one of the biggest diplomatic jobs in his administration to an openly gay man.

Richard Grenell, a former national security adviser, has been appointed as US ambassador to Germany.

Grenell has been a prominent gay voice on the right for several decades, previously serving as a UN ambassador for eight years under President George W. Bush.

The 51-year-old was an early backer of Donald Trump and has been a close ally since he rose to power.

Richard Grenell (Getty)

Log Cabin Republicans, the party’s LGBT wing, claimed Grenell’s confirmation to the post was evidence of their lobbying.

“Ric Grenell’s confirmation is historic for two reasons: He has now officially become the highest ranking openly gay official ever in a Republican administration,” the group’s president Gregory T. Angelo said in a statement.

“Despite the interminable delays of Democrats hell-bent on standing on the wrong side of history, today the United States Senate confirmed a gay nominee not ‘in spite of’ Republicans, or ‘with Republican support,’ but because of Republican support.”

The new post makes Grenell the most senior LGBT person appointed to office in a Republican administration.

He was confirmed by a vote of 56-42, with Democrats challenging Grenell’s past taunting of powerful women, often being critical of their appearance.

Richard Grenell (2nd R), nominee to be US ambassador to Germany among other nominees (Getty)