By means of John Hudson

Before JD Vance became Donald Trump’s choice for vice president, he was known in the State Department’s most powerful positions as the the biggest obstacle to the confirmation of career ambassadors in the Senate.

Armed with a questionnaire on pressing societal issues such as gay and lesbian rights, gender transition concerns and hiring practices related to diversity, equity and inclusion, Vance (R-Ohio) spent more than a year blocking the nominations of dozens of diplomats assigned to posts in the Middle East, Africa and Latin America.

A copy of Vance’s questionnaire, obtained by The Washington Post and published here for the first time, asked potential ambassadors whether they would increase the number of “gender-neutral bathrooms” in U.S. embassies, increase resources for “gender dysphoria and gender transition care,” and fly the “Flag of Progress” at “regional Pride celebrations.”

“The populations of many of our allies and the countries with which we seek to build stronger relationships have traditional Christian, Jewish, Muslim, or Hindu moral values,” Vance wrote in the questionnaire he gave to all nominees. “If confirmed, how would you explain to them how the United States would promote their country when it comes to ‘human rights for LGBTQ people’?”

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