Lambda Legal Statement on Confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to U.S. Supreme Court

After the Senate voted to confirm Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the U.S. Supreme Court, Lambda Legal issued the following statement from CEO Kevin Jennings:

“Today, we celebrate an emotional and pivotal moment in American history — one that brings pride and optimism for historically underrepresented groups, especially Black Americans, including Black women, Black LGBTQ+ people, and Black people living with HIV. Lambda Legal applauds the confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the U.S. Supreme Court, and we are delighted to congratulate her on this historic moment.

“Our institutions, including the Supreme Court, are strongest when they reflect the great diversity of the people they serve. Along with her remarkable qualifications that have been highlighted throughout the confirmation process, Judge Jackson – as the first Black woman and public defender to sit on the highest court in the nation – brings perspectives, histories, and life experiences that the Court has been lacking. Amid unrelenting legislative attacks on the LBGTQ+ community and people living with HIV — combined with attacks on reproductive rights, voting rights, and nondiscrimination protections more broadly — Judge Jackson’s presence will make the Court more responsive to the challenges all Americans face today.”

In the wake of today’s historic confirmation vote, Lambda Legal continues to advocate for the Biden administration to nominate more judges who meet four important qualities:

• A demonstrated ability to rule fairly and impartially in cases involving LGBTQ+ and HIV issues;
• A willingness and ability to uphold the principles of equality embedded in the Constitution and personal freedoms for everyone in America, not just a select few;
• A respect for Supreme Court precedents involving the right to privacy, due process, liberty, access to justice, and equal protection of the laws for all LGBTQ+ people and everyone living with HIV; and
• Nominees whose addition to the federal judiciary would help make it better reflect the nation's diversity, in particular, openly LGBTQ+ people, women, people of color, and people with disabilities.

Read more about Lambda Legal's Fair Courts Project.