Tapping Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey and a host of other highly qualified legal minds across the country, Chad Griffin, president of the Human Rights Campaign, called for President Obama to appoint the first openly LGBT justice to take the late Judge Antonin Scalia’s seat on the U.S. Supreme Court. Griffin posted this proposition in a Sunday, February 22, Advocate commentary.
“To have a representative on our nation’s highest court would send a powerful message to the millions of LGBT people who have struggled for recognition — and respect — for many decades,” Griffin writes, pointing out that:
President Obama has nominated 10 openly LGBT federal judges during his presidency, and he has appointed hundreds of LGBT officials to various significant posts within his Administration. While we still await the first openly LGBT cabinet official, Obama has demonstrated his commitment to LGBT equality and representation in the Executive and Judicial Branches. These individuals have added their talents, abilities, and unique experiences to countless decisions and actions, both large and small, that have helped shape the impact his Administration has had on LGBT people in our country.
Along with the Bay State’s Attorney General Healey, other strong LGBT candidates on Griffin’s short list for the highest bench are: Kathleen Sullivan, previously short-listed for a SCOTUS nomination and an advocate against Georgia sodomy laws; U.S. District Court Judge Darrin Gayles, the first openly gay African-American gay man confirmed to a U.S. federal court; Colorado Supreme Court Justice Monica Márquez, the first Latina and openly lesbian to serve on that court; former U.S. attorney for the Western District of Washington Jenny Durkan; Tammy Baldwin, the first openly gay U.S. Senator; and Oregon Governor Kate Brown.
“Despite the overwhelming support for full LGBT equality, millions in our community are still at risk of discrimination and violence in their daily lives all across the country,” writes Griffin. “It is time for an openly LGBT justice on our Supreme Court who will both affirm and symbolize our country’s commitment to full legal equality for its LGBT citizens.”
Check out the full text of Griffin’s commentary to consider his compelling case.
