Lambda Legal Mourns the Passing of Former New York Chief Judge Judith Kaye

Judith Kaye, the first woman to sit on and to serve as chief judge of the New York Court of Appeals, passed away today. Kaye served as the chief judge for the state’s highest court from 1983 to 2008; during her tenure she was a strong and wise voice on LGBT issues.

We mourn the loss of Chief Judge Kaye, a powerful jurist who recognized the need of LGBT New Yorkers and many others for equality and dignity under the law.

She was a prescient voice for where New York -- and the nation -- should have been on such issues as marriage equality and the rights of same-sex parents and their children, taking positions in cases like Hernandez v. Robles that presaged the U.S. Supreme Court's later rulings in constitutional landmarks. We honor her as a jurist and champion of human rights, and express our deepest condolences on her loss.

We are saddened at the passing of this judicial icon. During her over 25 years on the bench, she set a high standard for justice. Our thoughts and condolences are with her family and loved ones.

We have lost a great trailblazer, but we will honor her memory by continuing to work for equality.

Read the press release.