Lambda Legal Applauds Nomination of First Openly Lesbian Judge to Puerto Rico Supreme Court

Puerto Rico Gov. Alejandro García Padilla made judicial history yesterday when he nominated openly lesbian judge Maite Oronoz Rodriguez to the commonwealth's Supreme Court. 

This is a significant step forward towards achieving a judiciary that reflects Puerto Rico's full and rich diversity.

We are pleased with Gov. García Padilla’s decision. In April, Lambda Legal sent the governor a letter urging that when nominating a new justice to the Puerto Rico Supreme Court or making any other judicial nominations, he ensure that the judicial philosophy of his nominees includes a commitment to rule fairly and impartially in cases involving LGBT and HIV-positive litigants and to seek thoughtful jurists who reflect Puerto Rico’s rich diversity. It is critical that the judiciary be composed of judges who truly represent and understand the issues faced by all who are subject to their rulings.

Courts matter to the LGBT community in Puerto Rico and across the country. We must care about the courts if we care about our rights, our families, our neighbors and our society. We look forward to continuing our work in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico on behalf of LGBT people and people living with HIV

Learn more about Lambda Legal's Fair Courts Project.