FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FIRST OUT LESBIAN HISPANIC JUDGE NOMINATED BY PRESIDENT TO FEDERAL BENCH
Philadelphia Judge Nitza Quiñones Alejandro
Supported by both US Senators Toomey and Casey
PHILADELPHIA – The Pennsylvania Student Equality Coalition (PSEC) commends US Senators Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) and Bob Casey (D-Pa.) for supporting Judge Nitza I. Quiñones Alejandro in her nomination on Tuesday to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. If her nomination is confirmed, she will become the first openly lesbian Hispanic woman to serve in the federal court system.
The recommendation for Judge Quiñones Alejandro to serve on the federal court came from both US Senators from Pennsylvania.
As a noteworthy step forward for LGBT inclusion in the federal government, PSEC Executive Director and University of Pennsylvania student Jason Landau Goodman said that “it is a great day in Pennsylvania when both our Republican and Democratic US Senators agree that an individual is qualified for the federal bench because she is an excellent judge – regardless of her sexual orientation.”
Senator Toomey praised Judge Quiñones Alejandro’s involvement within the Pennsylvania community, saying in a press statement, “In her 21 years on the bench, Nitza Quiñones Alejandro has presided over many cases incorporating different facets of the law. In addition to her extensive experience in the courtroom, she has also remained active in her community through her work with schools and mentoring summer law interns.”
Senator Casey is a cosponsor of the federal Employment Nondiscrimination Act (ENDA) (S. 811) which would protect Americans from employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Senator Toomey is currently not a cosponsor.
Judge Quiñones Alejandro has served the Philadelphia community for many years, as an attorney for both Community Legal Services and later the US Department of Veterans Affairs. In 1980 she became an arbitrator for the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. In 1991, she began her career as a judge on the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas.
President Barack Obama has nominated eight openly gay or lesbian federal judges over his first term. Most recently, President Obama nominated Judge William L. Thomas to the US District Court of Southern Florida. Thomas, who is a graduate of Washington and Jefferson College in Washington County, Pennsylvania and Temple University Beasley Law School, is set to become the second openly gay black federal judge in the nation.
###