In an exciting move on Monday, Nov. 1, the U.S. Senate voted to confirm Beth Robinson to the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. This includes Vermont, Connecticut, and New York. Robinson, who is a lesbian, is the first openly LGBTQ+ woman to serve on any federal circuit court. Robinson was confirmed with a 51-45 vote, including just two Republicans (Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins), as reported by CNN. Robinson, you might remember, was nominated back in August by President Joe Biden.
As an attorney, Robinson worked to advance LGBTQ+ rights, including serving as co-counsel back in the late ‘90s in a landmark case (Baker v. Vermont) over guaranteeing same-sex couples equal protections and rights. This is in addition to practicing employment law, workers' compensation law, personal injury law, and family law in the state of Vermont, as reported by Reuters. Baker v. Vermont, by the way, was the historic case that resulted in Vermont being the first state to recognize civil unions back in 1999. Since 2011, Robinson has served on the Vermont Supreme Court and is the first openly gay Vermont Supreme Court justice.
Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont praised Robinson while speaking at Robinson’s confirmation hearing on Sept. 14, describing her as one of the “most notable champions of equal rights and equal justice” and one of the nation’s “most important pioneers” in LGBTQ+ rights.
Dick Durbin, a Democrat from Illinois who serves as the Senate majority whip, described Robinson as an “experienced litigator” and “respected jurist” with an “evenhanded approach to justice” in an emailed statement, according to Axios.
Unsurprisingly, progressives and especially LGBTQ+ groups are taking time to celebrate this historic moment. In a statement from Sharon McGowan, chief strategy officer for LGBTQ+ advocacy group Lambda Legal, for example, McGowan not only praised Robinson’s “extraordinary professional expertise” but also pointed out that out of more than 800 federal judges, fewer than 20 are openly LGBTQ+, and none are openly bisexual or transgender. For perspective, the first openly LGBTQ+ person appointed to the federal appeals court was only in 2013 (Judge Todd Michael Hughes). Every openly LGBTQ+ person is a huge step in the right direction, though the work is far from done.
President and CEO of the LGBTQ Victory Fund Annise Parker shared a similar sentiment while giving a text statement to 19th News. Parker said we keep “reaching milestones” but the problem with these gains is that “when you see a milestone, it means you haven’t reached the end of the turn.” The solution, of course, is to keep pushing forward.
You can listen to the full introduction from Sanders below.
YouTube Video
You can also listen to Robinson explain how she achieves support from both Republicans and Democrats.
YouTube Video
As an attorney, Robinson worked to advance LGBTQ+ rights, including serving as co-counsel back in the late ‘90s in a landmark case (Baker v. Vermont) over guaranteeing same-sex couples equal protections and rights. This is in addition to practicing employment law, workers' compensation law, personal injury law, and family law in the state of Vermont, as reported by Reuters. Baker v. Vermont, by the way, was the historic case that resulted in Vermont being the first state to recognize civil unions back in 1999. Since 2011, Robinson has served on the Vermont Supreme Court and is the first openly gay Vermont Supreme Court justice.
Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont praised Robinson while speaking at Robinson’s confirmation hearing on Sept. 14, describing her as one of the “most notable champions of equal rights and equal justice” and one of the nation’s “most important pioneers” in LGBTQ+ rights.
Dick Durbin, a Democrat from Illinois who serves as the Senate majority whip, described Robinson as an “experienced litigator” and “respected jurist” with an “evenhanded approach to justice” in an emailed statement, according to Axios.
Unsurprisingly, progressives and especially LGBTQ+ groups are taking time to celebrate this historic moment. In a statement from Sharon McGowan, chief strategy officer for LGBTQ+ advocacy group Lambda Legal, for example, McGowan not only praised Robinson’s “extraordinary professional expertise” but also pointed out that out of more than 800 federal judges, fewer than 20 are openly LGBTQ+, and none are openly bisexual or transgender. For perspective, the first openly LGBTQ+ person appointed to the federal appeals court was only in 2013 (Judge Todd Michael Hughes). Every openly LGBTQ+ person is a huge step in the right direction, though the work is far from done.
President and CEO of the LGBTQ Victory Fund Annise Parker shared a similar sentiment while giving a text statement to 19th News. Parker said we keep “reaching milestones” but the problem with these gains is that “when you see a milestone, it means you haven’t reached the end of the turn.” The solution, of course, is to keep pushing forward.
You can listen to the full introduction from Sanders below.
YouTube Video
You can also listen to Robinson explain how she achieves support from both Republicans and Democrats.
YouTube Video