Source: Patrick to nominate first openly gay justice to Mass. high court

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Source: Boston Globe

By Frank Phillips and Michael Levenson, Globe Staff

Governor Deval Patrick is making history again with one of his judicial selections, nominating Barbara A. Lenk, an openly gay associate justice of the state Appeals Court, to a seat on the Supreme Judicial Court, according to an administration source.

If confirmed by the Governor’s Council, Lenk would be the first openly gay judge on the state’s highest court, which issued the landmark 2003 ruling that made Massachusetts the first state in the nation to legalize same-sex marriage in 2004.

The nomination of Lenk comes after the governor named Roderick Ireland to be the first African-American chief justice of the SJC, and Fernande R.V. Duffly to be the first Asian-American judge on the state’s high court. Patrick has spoken of his desire to make the judiciary and other branches of government more reflective of the state's diversity.

A specialist in civil litigation and First Amendment issues, Lenk holds a doctorate in political philosophy from Yale University and a law degree from Harvard Law School.

Read more: http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2011/04/source_patrick.html

[xchrom]

1. Awesome. nt

[TheWraith]

2. Cool. Kicked and recommended.

Nice to have some good news around here.

[rurallib]

3. makes me wonder why sexual orientation should be of any

concern or relevance to a judicial appointment.
Although it would be fun to hear a confirmation hearing for a heterosexual where there was some concern:
" Mr. Nominee, do you believe your heterosexuality will influence any decisions you might make?
Have you at any time been harassed because of your sexuality?
Do you belong to any groups or clubs whose purpose is to promote heterosexuality?" and on and on.

[MineralMan]

4. Bravo, Mr. Governor

Thank you.