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Justice Monica Marquez was sworn in last week as Colorado’s newest Supreme Court justice. Although Gov. Ritter appointed this former assistant attorney general because of her ability to be an excellent justice, there is no denying that her confirmation to the state’s highest court also represents an important breakthrough for Latinas and for gays, and serves as a great reminder that many of us have overlapping identities.
The appointment of Monica Marquez to the Colorado Supreme Court moves the state past a couple of ethnic and sexual-orientation milestones.But as he pondered his choice among three qualified candidates, history wasn’t important to Gov. Bill Ritter.
“It is not because Monica is a Latina or because she is gay,” he said. “I chose her because of her analytical ability and her keen intellect.” [snip]
“I look forward to serving the state of Colorado in this new capacity, and I promise to bring an exceptional work ethic, a collaborative spirit, an open mind and a reverence for the rule of law,” Marquez said.
Oregon also has two openly gay justices on its Supreme Court bench, Justices Rives Kistler and Virginia Linder.
8 Comments
Congrats to Justice Marquez!Thanks for sharing this story.
Enhorabuena en su sita! Congratulations on her appointment.Now as soon as Kagan comes out. Just kidding.But here in CA we did elect a transgender Superior Court Judge Kolakowski in Alameda County.and googling that I see that Mayor Parker appointed Phyllis, born Phillip. Frye to a muncipal court bench in November.Onward and upward… and OUTward and PROUDward (is that a word?).. oh well you know what it means.Thanks for news.
Great for ColoradoFinally making some state court progress…already have a lesbian on the Denver County Court….where are the men?
I like it.
Particularly great in light of Amendment 2 and the Romer situation.It’s only a bit over a decade since it took the US Supreme Court to tell Colorado that it wasn’t okay to simply strip LGBT people from access to the courts and outlawing any anti-discrimination laws, even local ones. This is wonderful in and of itself, but in light of that, even better.
This is going to sound terribly superficial, but, whatever!She is also damned adorable! Congratulations!
Congrats…YEA! some good news!
Congratulationto Justice Marquez. And also to Covernor Ritter, for espousing the perfect attitude when it comes to hiring qualified LGBT people – that your sexual orientation/identity doesn’t enter the equation.