U.S. Senate Unanimously Confirms Gay Judge; Mark Obenshain Walked Out Rather Than Vote for Gay

Obenshain with certifiable loon "Bishop" Jackson, the GOP Lt. Governor nominee

Watching Mark Obenshain's disingenuous campaign ads is enough to make me vomit.  Obenshain claims to be mainstream and conveniently fails to mention his support for a "personhood" amendment to Virginia's constitution that would make a fertilized egg a full citizen from the moment of conception - even though so many are naturally spontaneously miscarried.  Similarly, he fails to mention his goal to send women to jail for a year if they miscarried and failed to notify local police officials within 24 hours - seemingly so that the police could investigate to insure that the woman had done nothing to somehow induce the miscarriage.  And then there's his virulent homophobia.  When Tracy Thorne-Begland's confirmation for a District Court judgeship went before the Virginia General Assembly, Obenshain walked out of the Virginia Senate rather than vote for a gay person.  The extremism of this action was underscored today when the U. S. Senate unanimously approved Todd Hughes’ nomination to be a judge on the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals on a 98-0 vote.    Blue Virginia sums up Obenshain's glaring anti-gay bigotry:

Another day, yet another example of how far out of the mainstream Republican Attorney General nominee Mark "Criminalize Miscarriages" Obenshain is, even by the standards of hard-core conservatives. First, check this out:

On Tuesday, the Senate confirmed Todd Hughes' nomination to be a judge on the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals on a 98-0 vote, making him the first out gay federal appellate judge in the nation's history.

Among those 98 Senators voting "yea" on the nomination of an openly gay judge were: Rand Paul, Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, James Inhofe, Mitch McConnell, and assorted other ultra conservatives. 

Now, contrast that with what happened when an openly gay judge was up for a confirmation vote in the Virginia State Senate. That's right, Mark Obenshain walked out of the Virginia Senate, rather than sully himself by voting on the nomination of a gay judge. In other words, when it comes to LGBT equality, Mark Obenshain is so far out of the mainstream that he wouldn't even do what Ted Cruz, Rand Paul, Marco Rubio, James Inhofe, and Mitch McConnell were capable of doing earlier today - voting on an openly gay judge's nomination, and even (gasp!) voting "yea!" It says a great deal, none of it good, about Mark Obenshain.

And one needs to remember that Obenshain voted in 2011 to allow discrimination against gay and lesbian employees in Commonwealth of Virginia departments and agencies.  In 2011, Obenshain also voted against letting state Virginia government workers share health benefits with their same-sex partners. 

On election day, those who care about women's rights and gay rights need to make sure they go out and vote for Mark Herring for Attorney General.  We do NOT need or want Mark Obenshain in the AG's office.  The prospect of Obenshain as Attorney General is nothing short of scary.

 

HRBOR July 2013 Third Thursday Business Networking Event

I hope local readers will make an effort to join HRBOR members on Thursday July 18th at 6:00PM for HRBOR's Third Thursday Business Networking in Virginia Beach hosted by Williams Mullen/Michael B. Steel, Esquire with Featured Non-Profit Young Audiences of Virginia.  Williams Mullen is one of a handful of large Virginia based law firms that actually has a non-discrimination policy in place that protects LGBT employees.  In addition, it was one of the Virginia mega law firms that actively pushed for Tracy Thorne-Begland's appointment to the bench in Richmond.  I hope to see you there.

Bring your business cards, company brochures, event flyers, sales ads and your best elevator speech. To RSVP simply reply to the email. Complete event details are:

Host and Food/Beverage Sponsor: Williams Mullen

Michael B Steele, Esquire

HRBOR, Program Committee

222 Central Park Avenue, Suite 1700
Virginia Beach, Virginia 23462-3035

Where: Williams Mullen, 222 Central Park Ave, Suite 1700 Virginia Beach, VA 23462

When: Thursday July 18th, 6pm-8pm

Featured Non-Profit: Young Audiences of Virginia, Michael Kerry Williams, Arts-In-Education Director www.yav.org

Third Thursday Cost: Free to Members, $15 Guest Fee for Guests and Prospective Members

Invite friends and colleagues.

HRBOR July 2013 Third Thursday Business Networking Event

I hope local readers will make an effort to join HRBOR members on Thursday July 18th at 6:00PM for HRBOR's Third Thursday Business Networking in Virginia Beach hosted by Williams Mullen/Michael B. Steel, Esquire with Featured Non-Profit Young Audiences of Virginia.  Williams Mullen is one of a handful of large Virginia based law firms that actually has a non-discrimination policy in place that protects LGBT employees.  In addition, it was one of the Virginia mega law firms that actively pushed for Tracy Thorne-Beglands appointment to the bench in Richmond.  I hope to see you there.

Bring your business cards, company brochures, event flyers, sales ads and your best elevator speech. To RSVP simply reply to the email. Complete event details are:

Host and Food/Beverage Sponsor: Williams Mullen

Michael B Steele, Esquire

HRBOR, Program Committee

222 Central Park Avenue, Suite 1700
Virginia Beach, Virginia 23462-3035

Where: Williams Mullen, 222 Central Park Ave, Suite 1700 Virginia Beach, VA 23462

When: Thursday July 18th, 6pm-8pm

Featured Non-Profit: Young Audiences of Virginia, Michael Kerry Williams, Arts-In-Education Director www.yav.org

Third Thursday Cost: Free to Members, $15 Guest Fee for Guests and Prospective Members

Invite friends and colleagues.

Virginia’s First Openly Gay Judge Sworn In

In a major defeat for The Family Foundation, a viciously anti-gay affiliate of Focus on the Family and the hate group FRC, the 2013 session of the Virginia General Assembly confirmed Tracy Thorne-Begland as a judge on the Richmond General District Court.  The Family Foundation rolled out all of its typical forms of character assassination propaganda and anti-gay lies, yet enough Republicans decided to vote for Thorne-Begland to confirm him apparently in part to avoid Virginia's worldwide media crucifixion.  Yesterday, Thorne-Begland was sworn in.  WTVR TV-6 has details.  Here are highlights:

Tracy Thorne-Begland is now a General District Court Judge and will hold court in Richmond.
The historic end to a long and controversial journey was felt beyond the four walls of Richmond’s City Hall.

The road leading to the landmark day was not always been a smooth one. Last May, the House of Delegates voted against Thorne-Begland’s nomination after some voiced concern over possible activism from the bench. Delegate Bob Marshall tried to have Thorne-Begland’s named removed from a list of proposed District Court judicial appointments lasy year.  “I don’t even think it’s proper to put his name forward because of his behavior,” said Marshall, who called Thorne-Begland “a homosexual activist,” in a press release.

But almost one month after lawmakers voted against Thorne-Begland serving as a General District Court judge in 2012, the Richmond Circuit Court appointed him to serve an interim position last June.

However, he met with lawmakers to answer questions again this January. Those questions did not surround his sexual orientation, but rather his service in the Navy and concerns by lawmakers over “activism.”  “Some say you lied on your application to be in the military because it asks if you are gay,” St. Delegate David B. Albo, Chair of the Courts and Justice Committee, asked Thorne-Begland.  “In 1988 and 1989 when I was going through the process of joining the military I didn’t know I was gay,” Thorne-Begland said.

Thorne-Begland said the history-making moment would not be possible without the help of his sponsor in the House of Delegates, Manoli Loupassi R-Richmond.  “So the fact that his sexual orientation has nothing to do with it,” Loupassi said. “If you’re black or Latino or whatever. It doesn’t matter. Can you do the job? Are you qualified for the job? If you’re qualified and you can do the job then you’ll you should be able to get the job, too.”

Richmond’s newest judge thanked his partner of 20 years and two children for their support amid applause.

Kudos to Tracy and all of those who fought hard to win this confirmation.   As for Del. Bob Marshall, he continues to be an embarrassment to  Virginia and might better consider moving to Iran so that he can experience a theocratic government first hand.

Gay Virginia Judge to Face Anti-Gay Republicans Today

Some will remember the debacle from last year when Tracy Thorne-Begland, a completely qualified candidate for a judgeship in Richmond had his approval for the position torpedoed by anti-gay Republican members of the Virginia General Assembly.  The attacks against Thorne-Begland had been orchestrated by The Family Foundation, a Chtistofascist organization based in Richmond that truly deserves a hate group designation by the Southern Poverty Law Center.  Subsequently, the Richmond Circuit Court judges appointed Thorne-Begland on an interim basis to the open General District Court seat at the unanimous urging of the five largest, most powerful law firms in Virginia.  Needless to say, the hate merchants at The Family Foundation went ballistic.  Today, Thorne-Begland returns to the General Assembly to secure a permanent appointment.  Some in the Virginia GOP seem to be having a change of heart - perhaps realizing that Virginia doesn't need more worldwide negative publicity.  Others like Del. Bob Marshall who has previously stated that he wants to drive all gays from Virginia are keeping up the attacks on Thorne-Begland.  The Virginian Pilot looks at the potential lynching that awaits Thorne-Begland.  Here are highlights:

A gay judicial candidate who last year was rejected by the legislature for a Richmond General District Court seat, then appointed to the bench by Circuit Court judges, now faces a confirmation trial to remain in that post.

That formal process begins today when Judge Tracy Thorne-Begland is one of the appointees scheduled for interviews before a panel of legislators evaluating their job performance.

But he is unique among that number because of the controversy his nomination generated. Thorne-Begland's candidacy was derailed in the early morning hours of May 15 when some Republicans in the House of Delegates protested before a vote on his fate.
 
Thorne-Begland needs the legislature's consent to remain a judge. Reached Friday, he declined to comment other than to say it would be inappropriate for him to "weigh into these matters."

Now that he's been on the job six months, some legislators who initially voted against him say they've had a change of heart. Among them: Virginia Beach Republican Dels. Sal Iaquinto and Ron Villanueva. Both said their initial opposition was based on a belief that Thorne-Begland violated the Uniform Code of Military Justice by speaking out against the ban on gays openly serving in the military. Repeal of the "don't ask, don't tell" policy took effect in 2011.

And they now believe no violation occurred. Villanueva changed his mind after meeting with Thorne-Begland, hearing positive reviews of his work as a judge, and reconsidering his position.  "In retrospect, he was just working through the system, and trying to right a wrong," said Villanueva, noting that ethnic minorities including Filipinos, like his father, also experienced discrimination in the military.

Iaquinto said his opinion changed after Isle of Wight County Del. Rick Morris, a Navy veteran and attorney who practices military law, last June told Republican colleagues he doesn't think Thorne-Begland violated military policy by speaking out. Morris was among the delegates who didn't vote when Thorne-Begland's candidacy came up last May.

Not everyone has softened on Thorne-Begland. Del. Bob Marshall, a vocal critic of homosexuality, stood against him then and Friday said "nothing has changed to make me reverse my vote."

A spokesman for Gov. Bob McDonnell said the governor supports Thorne-Begland.  "The election of judges is the job of the legislature, not the executive branch," Tucker Martin said. "The governor believes Mr. Thorne-Begland has apparently done a good job on the bench and is well-qualified to continue to serve. He believes strongly that judges, and candidates for the bench, should only be considered based on their aptitude, skill and merit."

Meanwhile, a bill offered this year that would prevent Circuit Court judges from appointing to the bench an interim judge previously blocked by the legislature - as Thorne-Begland was - was tabled Friday. That measure, HB1338 from Republican Del. Mark Cole of Spotsylvania County, was spiked without objection from its sponsor after legislators noted that it could have unintended consequences.  While Cole didn't protest that, he's unconvinced legislators should return Thorne-Begland, "someone I think would be an activist judge," to the bench.

It is noteworthy that those who oppose Thorne-Begland also want to increase hurdles that will make it more difficult for minorities to vote and also seek to imposes as many restrictions as possible on women's ability to use contraception or have abortions even in cases of rape or incest.  These Neanderthals truly need to be voted out of office in November.