Obama Nominates Openly Gay African American Judge to Federal Court
William L. Thomas, an openly gay Miami-Dade judge, was nominated Wednesday as a federal judge in South Florida.
The Miami Herald reports President Barack Obama nominated Thomas, a Miami-Dade Circuit Court judge since 2005, for a vacant post on the federal bench.
If confirmed, Thomas would become the first out gay black man appointed to a federal judgeship. “We’re delighted in the president’s appointment of Judge Thomas, who we recommend as a patient and hard-working man of incredible character,” said Chuck Wolfe, CEO and president of the Washington-based Victory Fund & Institute.
The group’s mission is to support openly gay candidates and appointees. “We believe he’s made an excellent jurist in Florida and will make an excellent federal jurist.”
