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Gov. Deval Patrick on Monday nominated a lesbian who is married to her partner to serve on the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts.
The nominee, Barbara A. Lenk, is the longest-serving justice on the state’s Court of Appeals. If confirmed, she would be the first openly gay member of the state’s highest court, which was the first in the nation to rule same-sex marriage legal in 2003.
Mr. Patrick, a Democrat who recently appointed the court’s first Asian-American justice and black chief justice, said it was “a nice coincidence” that Justice Lenk was another history-making choice.
“I like the idea of firsts, as you know,” he said, “and I’m proud of this one. But first and foremost, this is a very well-prepared, highly qualified candidate.”
The nominee, Barbara A. Lenk, is the longest-serving justice on the state’s Court of Appeals. If confirmed, she would be the first openly gay member of the state’s highest court, which was the first in the nation to rule same-sex marriage legal in 2003.
Mr. Patrick, a Democrat who recently appointed the court’s first Asian-American justice and black chief justice, said it was “a nice coincidence” that Justice Lenk was another history-making choice.
“I like the idea of firsts, as you know,” he said, “and I’m proud of this one. But first and foremost, this is a very well-prepared, highly qualified candidate.”
Boston.com: Patrick nominates first openly gay justice to Mass. high court
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Lenk spoke generally about her desire to “bring with me the sympathy and understanding of one who’s experienced a full life from inside and outside the mainstream.”
“As a judge,” she said “my only allegiance is to the rule of law and to fair and equal treatment of all who come before the court.”
Lenk also spoke about her impoverished upbringing in New York, the daughter of a bookbinder and a housekeeper whose first language was Polish and who could not afford to attend college.
“I never expected to be standing here but the fact that I am shows that my story is the American story where anything is possible,” Lenk said.
“As a judge,” she said “my only allegiance is to the rule of law and to fair and equal treatment of all who come before the court.”
Lenk also spoke about her impoverished upbringing in New York, the daughter of a bookbinder and a housekeeper whose first language was Polish and who could not afford to attend college.
“I never expected to be standing here but the fact that I am shows that my story is the American story where anything is possible,” Lenk said.