Lambda Legal Statement on the Confirmation of Justice Sotomayor

(New York, August 6, 2009) — In response to the confirmation of Sonia Sotomayor, to the U.S. Supreme Court, Lambda Legal’s Executive Director, Kevin Cathcart, made the following statement:

"Lambda Legal applauds the confirmation of Justice Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court of the United States, and congratulates her on an historic appointment. Justice Sotomayor has excellent credentials and a proven record of understanding the law and Constitution, all of which have been recognized and highlighted throughout her confirmation process. When she takes her seat in September, Justice Sotomayor will become the third woman, and first Latina, appointed to the Court."

Lambda Legal advocated for the Obama Administration to consider nominating judicial candidates who meet four important qualities:

• A demonstrated ability to rule fairly and impartially in cases involving LGBT and HIV issues.
  
• A willingness and ability to uphold the principles of equality found in the Constitution and personal freedoms for everyone in America, not just a select few.
  
• A respect for several Supreme Court precedents involving the right to privacy, disability rights particularly related to HIV status, and issues of discrimination based on sexual orientation and sex stereotyping.
  
• Nominees who reflect the nation’s diversity, in particular "out" LGBT people, women and people of color.

Cathcart added, "After studying Justice Sotomayor's extensive judicial record, and closely watching her Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearings, we are confident that she has demonstrated that she meets our criteria. Lambda Legal relies on judges and a judicial system that are fair, unbiased and independent of political pressures. We also value the importance of empathy-- the ability to walk in someone else’s shoes and to see legal problems from the point of view of the people who are affected by them. When she was designated by President Obama as a nominee Judge Sotomayor said, 'I strive never to forget the real-world consequences of my decisions on individuals, businesses, and government.'

As civil rights advocates, we know how important this is. Lambda Legal brings cases on behalf of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and people with HIV who have faced discrimination. We look forward to seeing Justice Sonia Sotomayor seated as the next U.S. Supreme Court justice in September."

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Contact: Lisa Hardaway, Office: 212-809-8585; Email: lhardaway@lambdalegal.org