"Experiences like this don’t often happen to a guy like me,
a poor kid from a small town in eastern Oklahoma.
But they did—and this is my book of moments."
ABOUT THE BOOK
In 2013, Bob J. Satawake accompanied his husband, Ambassador James “Wally” Brewster, to the Dominican Republic for a historic and unnecessarily controversial tour of duty representing the United States.
As the first gay diplomatic spouse in the Western Hemisphere, Bob received little, if any, guidance from the U.S. State Department on how to navigate his new role—leaving him little choice but to break the rigid protocols of diplomatic life. He experienced discrimination, homophobia, and outright hostility as he attempted to forge a new path in a conservative and religious country.
BREAKING PROTOCOL is the incredible, heartwarming true story of an ordinary man from modest beginnings that found himself catapulted onto the front lines of international diplomacy, and how using kindness, love, and sensitivity not only overcame hate and intolerance – but forever left its mark on history.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Bob J. Satawake is living the quintessential rags-to-(sort of)-riches American dream, rising from modest beginnings in rural Oklahoma to serving as senior policy advisor to Ambassador James “Wally” Brewster in the Dominican Republic—and beyond.
Bob’s passion for championing human rights is the backbone for the projects he advocates. While in Santo Domingo, he chaired various human rights committees at the U.S. embassy, and effected positive change in pursuing justice for victims of gender-based violence and human/sex trafficking in the Dominican Republic. Bob fights for equality and served as senior advisor to three USAID LGBT projects while in the Dominican Republic.
As a former diplomat, Bob maintains relationships at the highest levels of government and the private sector, focusing on foreign policy relationships that forward the stability of emerging democracies. Bob is an advisor to the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and focuses on minority and LGBTI inclusion in developing democracies throughout the world as chair of the Equal Voices Advisory Council. With NDI, Bob has traveled the world partaking in diplomatic missions that promote democracy, human rights, diversity, inclusion, foreign policy, and elections in Georgia, Ukraine, Columbia, Serbia, and Guatemala.
While owner and managing partner of Chicago Luxury Group, Bob pursued various philanthropic and other social and political activities. He served on the board for BUILD, a Chicago nonprofit aimed at reducing gang activity for at-risk inner city students. Bob also served as a member of the National Board of Directors for Victory Fund, a nonprofit bi-partisan organization that provides educational and leadership training for LGBT candidates running for elected office.
Bob is a writer, speaker, lecturer, blogger, and contributor to various news publications regarding humanitarian rights and marginalized people. He has spoken before international institutions, universities, nonprofits, and other outlets regarding corporate social responsibility and promoting human rights. Bob recently completed his graduate diploma in global business–masters level at the University of Oxford Said School of Business and is always looking for the next opportunity to leave the world better than he found it.