Gay judicial nominee Tracy Thorne-Begland was torpedoed. His nomination had broad bipartisan support up until its defeat by the Virginia House, following what the Richmond Times called a “late-hour lobbying offensive by social conservatives.”
It's a “form of bigotry," Richmond Commonwealth Attorney Herring told the Times, insisting that the former Navy Officer would make “an outstanding judge.”
Under the circumstances, its appears that Thorne-Begland was rejected, the only one out of over three dozen judicial nominees, because he's gay.
But Republican Delegate Marshall says his opposition is about a “pattern of behavior that is just notorious for homosexual advocacy," apparently objecting to Thorne-Begland’s activism for civil rights.
Senator McEachin says the Republican-led Senate should have had “the courage” to put the nomination up for vote after the rejection, and we agree.
Tell the Virginia Senate to correct this injustice and give Thorne-Begland a fair vote.
We, the undersigned, object to the rejection of Thorne-Begland’s judicial nomination by the Virginia House of Delegates.
It seems very clear, based on NY Times and Richmond Times-Dispatch reports that Thorne-Begland’s support was bipartisan and strong, and it was only after a “late-hour lobbying offensive by social conservatives,” that the House of Delegates rejected the nomination.
Given this information and the facts that Thorne-Begland was 1) approved by the committee charged with vetting judicial appointments 2) described by his superior as highly qualified for the position 3) the only openly gay nominee and 4) the only nominee out of over three dozen who was rejected, is strong evidence that he is a victim of discrimination.
We agree with Richmond Commonwealth Attorney Michael Herring that this action by the House is bigotry and an embarrassment to Virginia.
We also agree that the Virginia Senate should put Thorne-Begland’s nomination up for vote. We request that the Senate do so with no further delay.
Thank you for your attention to this request.
