Obama Nominates Gay Black Man to Federal Judgeship

[William769]

If confirmed by the Senate, William Thomas of Florida would be the first out gay black man to be a life-tenured federal judge.



President Obama today nominated William Thomas to a judgeship on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, an appointment that, if confirmed, would make Thomas the first openly gay black man to be a life-tenured federal judge.

Thomas, currently a judge on a state court in Florida, was recommended for the federal nomination by the Presidential Appointments Project, coordinated by the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, BuzzFeed reports.

There has been one out lesbian black federal judge, Deborah Batts, appointed by President Clinton. Batts, a judge in the Southern District of New York, was also the first out LGBT federal judge overall. “She took ‘senior status,’ a near retirement, earlier this year,” BuzzFeed notes.

Thomas was one of seven judicial nominees announced by Obama today. The president issued a statement saying the nominees “have demonstrated the talent, expertise, and fair-mindedness Americans expect and deserve from their judicial system” and “represent my continued commitment to ensure that the judiciary resembles the nation it serves.”

http://www.advocate.com/politics/2012/11/14/obama-nominates-gay-black-man-federal-judgeship

[babylonsister]

1. Yes! Now imagine any rethug ever doing this. Nah, wouldn't happen. I'm

loving my Prez!

[William769]

2. Me too!

[babylonsister]

3. Did you post this in

GD? I'm sure people there would be ecstatic, too!

[William769]

4. No. But I did just fine another story about this in LBN that was posted a couple hours ago.

[babylonsister]

5. OK, thanks. I'll go plug that! nt

[Shuhered]

6. Amaaaaaaazing!!!

So proud of him. I hope he get confirmed. That would be a wonderful Christmas gift to all of us!! Not in the way Romney thinks, but from a fair and I partial perspective.