Attorney Ketanji Brown Jackson, 51, has been nominated by President Joe Biden to fill the role of U.S Supreme Court Judge.
The announcement came on Friday via Twitter during Biden’s central campaign pledge. Attorney Jackson will replace Judge Stephen Breyer.
Judge Breyer, who's been an active judge since 1994, announced his retirement from the U.S Supreme Court last month.
According to CNN, Jackson will be the first Black woman to be nominated to the Supreme Court. Further more, the 3rd black person since male justices – Thurgood Marshall and Clarence Thomas on the court.
In addition to the good news, Attorney Jackson is no stranger in upholding the rights of the LGBTQ community.
Even though The GA Voice reported that she worked as an adviser for the Montreal Christian Baptist school in Maryland where a mission statement was made against LGBT Individuals and abortion, Jackson made it very clear during her confirmation process, that she was not aware of their beliefs.
“I was not aware that the school had a public website or that any statement of beliefs was posted on the school’s website at the time of my service. My service on the advisory school board primarily involved planning for school fundraising activities for the benefit of enrolled students. I did not receive any compensation for my service.”
Despite her role in the past, many LGBT campaigns issued statements to celebrate on behalf of her accomplishments.
GLAAD, an American non-governmental media monitoring organization advocating for LGBTQ acceptance, expressed their gratitude for more prosperity.
“Nearly all of the LGBTQ community’s nationwide rights have been provided and protected by the justices on the Supreme Court, including Obergefell v. Hodges, which granted nationwide marriage equality, to Bostock v. Clayton County, which affirmed LGBTQ people are protected from employment discrimination. The Supreme Court has played a key role in the fight for LGBTQ equality. GLAAD urges a fair and swift hearing of Judge Jackson’s credentials so she can continue to ensure a more prosperous nation for all of us.”
If selected, Attorney Jackson will not change the court ratio, which is voted 6-3 in favor of conservatives, but she would bring a diverse perspective to the court room.
The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization is looking forward to her judicial philosophy and issued their very own statement.
“The Supreme Court has historically played an outsized role in affirming the constitutional rights of LGBTQ+ individuals and other marginalized communities. After a careful review of her record, it is clear that Jackson’s demonstrated fidelity to the principles of our Constitution instills confidence that she will continue Justice Breyer’s legacy as a champion of equality. As such, the Human Rights Campaign is proud to support Jackson to be the newest Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court. She is an extremely qualified candidate and her confirmation will mark significant progress towards ensuring that those who sit upon our highest court reflect the diversity of the nation whose laws they are entrusted to interpret.”
Jackson, who is a graduate from Harvard College and Harvard Law School, will soon head to the Senate to meet with lawmakers where she will begin her hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Lambda Legal, the oldest and largest national legal organization whose mission is to achieve full recognition of LGBT rights also issued a statement from Lambda Legal's CEO Kevin Jennings:
“In the face of unrelenting state legislative attacks on the LGBTQ+ community, particularly transgender youth, the stakes could not be higher. When combined with the attacks on reproductive rights, voting rights, and nondiscrimination protections more broadly, every person should appreciate the importance and gravity of President Biden’s choice to fill a vacancy on the Supreme Court at this time in our nation’s history. Lambda Legal’s preliminary review of Judge Jackson’s record gives us significant comfort that she can be trusted to administer the fair and impartial justice the country needs.”
The goal is to have the nominee for the U.S Supreme Court confirmed by the April 11, 2022 recess.
The National Center For Lesbian Rights (NCLR) joins the growing list of LGBTQ statements celebrating Attorney Jackson’s nomination. Imani Rupert-Gordon, NCLR executive director believes that Jackson is eminently qualified.
"Judge Jackson is brave, thoughtful, and a fierce defender of justice.Above all else, she is eminently qualified, and will be a stalwart protector of our democratic institutions at a time when we need it the most. Her experience as a public defender will bring a perspective to the Court that will benefit every person in the United States…as the first Black woman to serve on the Supreme Court, Judge Jackson's confirmation will be a powerful reflection of the diversity of our country."
The Advocates for Youth, a nonprofit organization and advocacy group based in Washington, D.C., dedicated to sexuality education also issued a statement,
“Advocates for Youth is thrilled with the historic nomination of Ketanji Brown Jackson to the U.S, Supreme Court. She is eminently qualified, with distinguished experience as a federal judge, and will serve as a role model for young Black women everywhere. In a month of terrible news about horrifying attacks on LGBTQ youth in Florida and Texas we are relieved to see that our nation can still make progress…The omission of a Black woman on the highest court in the land is a glaring stain on our country’s history. A Black woman’s perspective is essential as the Court considers issues that deeply impact women, youth, people of color, and the most marginalized Americans.”
Things are definitely turning around for the LGBT community for the end of Black History Month, thanks to Biden & Jackson.