In a first, President Obama nominates openly gay Latina judge for Federal court

President Obama submitted another list of judicial nominees today, including Nitza I. Quiñones Alejandro, who is poised to become the first openly gay Latina jurist on the federal level.

Judge Alejandro is one of three nominees for seats on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

“These nominees are emblematic of the president’s commitment to nominating qualified, diverse nominees to the federal bench,” said Marge Baker of People For the American Way. “They are also a sign of the president’s commitment to solving the vacancy crisis in our federal courts without delay.”

PFAW notes that obstruction by Senate Republicans have kept numerous bench positions vacant for many months.

(via GLAAD)