Statement to Newsom: Appoint First Openly LGBTQ+ Justice
In 1979, Governor Jerry Brown appointed Stephen Lachs, the first openly gay judge to serve in California, to the San Francisco Superior Court. Since then, LGBTQ+ representation in the California judiciary has made modest strides. Last year, a report by the Judicial Council of California identified 59 LGBTQ+ trial court judges in the state, which accounted for 3.5 percent of the total judges included in the report. In the appellate courts, only two judges identify as LGBTQ with Victoria Kolakowski serving as the sole transgender voice on the bench. But a member of the LGBTQ+ community has yet to serve on the very influential California Supreme Court. That time has come.
In this respect, California has not been a leader. Guam, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and twelve U.S. states have all appointed LGBTQ+ members to their highest courts. Governor Gavin Newsom, now has the opportunity to make history by filling the vacancy on the California Supreme Court left by outgoing Justice Ming Chin with its first LGBTQ+ Justice.
The Stonewall Democratic Club strongly urges him to do so.
Stonewall is not suggesting diversity for the sake of diversity. Rather, it is critical that a body that makes important decisions that affect all Californians reflects the diverse points of view encompassed by the people of our state.
“For LGBTQ+ people, who have for so long been marginalized and even persecuted by our legal system, having our life experiences be part of the deliberations of the California Supreme Court is particularly important,” said Stonewall President Lester Aponte.
“And for young LGBTQ+ individuals who aspire to the top of the legal profession, it would send a powerful message that, in California, anything is possible,” continued Aponte, who himself is a practicing LGBTQ+ attorney.
The Stonewall Democratic Club, therefore, urges Governor Newsom to make the long overdue appointment of the first lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer judge to the California Supreme Court.
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CONTACT:
Stonewall Democratic Club
Alex Mohajer - Public and Media Relations Director
EMAIL: [email protected]
Los Angeles, CA – Yesterday, the LA Registrar-Recorder approved a petition calling for signatures to potentially recall Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón. The Stonewall Democratic Club endorsed Gascón in his bid to replace Jackie Lacey last November and Los Angeles Democrats agreed, voting overwhelmingly to bring change to LA's failing criminal justice system. We stand by this endorsement and strongly oppose these recall efforts.
"Gascón has made good on his promise to hold criminals accountable while moving Los Angeles forward towards a restorative justice model. The same bad-faith actors who support the bogus recall of Governor Gavin Newsom are now attempting to circumvent the will of the people and burn millions of taxpayer dollars to have their way," said Stonewall President Lester Aponte.
Stonewall will fight this recall and ensure that democracy prevails here in LA County.
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Founded in 1975, the Stonewall Democratic Club is the nation’s oldest LGBTQ+ and feminist political advocacy organization and endorses in races in Los Angeles County, California, and nationwide. For more information, visit www.stonewalldems.org.