James C. Hormel (left) son of Jay C. Hormel, sits beside Hormel Institute Executive Director Dr. Zigang Dong and Hormel Foods Corp. CEO Jeff Ettinger at the expansion dedication for the Institute in 2008. Hormel will be in Austin Saturday to sign copies of his autobiography “Fit to Serve.” -- Herald file photo

A Hormel is coming back to Austin.

James Hormel, the first openly gay U.S. ambassador, will be in Austin Saturday to sign copies of his autobiography “Fit to Serve.”

“Each generation of the Hormel family has their own story, and their own different experience,” said Laura Helle, Executive Director of the Hormel Historic Home. “It’s exciting to see the stories coming from this generation.”

Aside from the fact that Hormel comes from Austin’s famous family, he helped pave the way for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community to serve in the federal government when he was appointed America’s first openly gay ambassador in 1999 after a vicious, six-year political fight in Washington. He has devoted more than four decades to advancing progressive causes, particularly LGBT rights.

“It’s pretty significant and important for people to know,” said Dustin Heckman, Executive Director of the Mower County Historical Society. “Just what he’s been able to accomplish in his life is a good thing for Mower County to show.”

Hormel will read from his book, take questions and sign books from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, at Coffee House on Main, 329 North Main Street, Austin. The event is open to the public.