Well we’ve done it again in Massachusetts. If confirmedby the Governor’s Council Barbara Lenk’s appointment
would set a precedent for the state’s highest court. Not
only is Justice Lenk openly gay, she legally married her
partner after the court’s landmark decision to legalize
gay marriage in the commonwealth in 2004 making Lenk
the first openly gay person to sit on the SJC’s bench.
“I like the idea of firsts, as you know, & I’m proud of this
one. But, first and foremost, this is a very well-prepared,
highly qualified candidate,” said Governor Patrick during
the press conference on Lenk’s nomination. Lenk said many
of the commonwealth’s legislative decisions have affected
her life as a citizen of Massachusetts, not only the Goodridge
decision. “That’s the awesome power of the law, it affects
human lives,” she said. Lenk holds a Ph.D. in philosophy
from Yale University & a J.D. from Harvard Law School.
Her law specialization focused on civil litigation & First
Amendment matters. In 1993, she was appointed to the
Superior Court and served there until she was appointed
to the Appeals Court in 1995. Update to Come...:)
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Judge Lenk’s appointment would shatter the glass ceiling in Massachusetts around the appointment of openly LGBT attorneys to the state’s highest court. The bench should reflect the community that it serves. It’s undeniable that the existence of openly LGBT attorneys and judges influences debate on the legal issues that impact our lives.
ReplyDeleteJudge Lenk embodies the highest ethics, integrity, qualifications, and experience required of a Supreme Judicial Court justice. She is a well-respected member of the bar and we look forward to her receiving the support of the Governor’s Council.
Kara Suffredini, Esq, Executive Director of MassEquality