VIRGINIA. - Virginia lawmakers for the first time in the state's history appointed an openly gay judge to the Richmond District Court Friday. The post, however, is temporary and will end with the return of lawmakers from their end-of-session hiatus.
Nevertheless, this is a significant step for the court because he is the first gay judge to sit on the bench after all. As the Richmond Times-Dispatch points out, "It is also a bold move for the judges of the Richmond Circuit Court, who know his interim appointment could face political opposition when it comes up for review next year in the legislature."
Last month, Tracy Thorne-Begland was denied judgeship by conservatives.Thorne- Begland failed to get the position because he fell short of 18 votes in the House of Delegates, according to the Slatest News. He had won bipartisan support from the State Senate and House Committee, but failed in the Republican dominated-House of Delegates. However, due to the pressure from five of the largest law firms in the state, the Virginia circuit court judges were pressed to bypass the usual process. Thorner- Begland was appointed to bench though a special process that did not require the usual confirmation process since the Virginia's General Assembly is not in session, as explained by the Washington Post.
Of his appointment, Thorne-Begland said, "I am humbled by the circuit court's decision," as reported by the Richmond Times-Dispatch that
Tracy Begland is a former navy officer and currently the chief deputy commonwealth's attorney of Richmond. He got his law degree from the Williams School of Law, University of Richmond in 1998. The 45 year old lives with his partner, Michael Thorne-Beglans and has twins.
His appointment will being on July 1 on the 13th Judicial District bench.
