TX Gets Its First Openly Gay Federal Judge

The United States Senate yesterday confirmed Robert Pitman's appointment to a Federal Judgeship that fills  a 6 year old San Antonio vacancy.  Robert Pitman who is openly Gay was first recommended for U.S. attorney by Senators John Cornyn and former Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison in 2009, which riled some fellow Republicans, but Cornyn stood behind it.  “A person’s sexuality has no bearing on his qualifications for a job. … It’s just not even remotely considered,” Cornyn spokesman Keven McLaughlin said at the time.  (So how come Cornyn voted against ENDA?) Cornyn who along with that other homophobic asshole Senator Ted Cruz sit on the Senate Judiciary Committee and backed Pitman's nomination when President Obama nominated him in June.  This is quite surprising, really, when you consider everything that both Cornyn and Cruz have done to hinder the rights of LGBT Americans.  

Eric Lesh, fair courts project manager at Lambda Legal, said in a statement responding to Pitman's confirmation: 

“For the judicial system in the United States to be truly fair, it must reflect the tremendous diversity of the country. President Obama has made great strides in promoting and ensuring that diversity with his nominations of people of color and of openly gay and lesbian individuals to the federal bench. We celebrate the confirmation of Judge Pitman, which brings welcome diversity to the federal bench in Texas while simultaneously filling a seat that had been vacant for more than six years.

"While great progress has been made to bring diversity to the courts, we still have a long way to go. There are nearly 900 federal judges in the U.S., and most are straight white men. Federal courts are charged with providing everyone with equal access to justice, and yet justice has not always been a reality for some. A judiciary diverse in race, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation and lived and professional experience serves not only to improve the quality of justice, but to boost public confidence in the courts."

This brings to 10 the number of Federal Judges who are Openly Gay.  When President Obama took office in 2009, there was only 1, so we have progressed but have not yet attained full equality or representation in most things.  It is sorta nice to see Cornyn and Cruz do the right thing even though they are homophobic neanderthals who wish to shove LGBT people so far back in the closet they can't see daylight.  Maybe there is hope for them yet.  (Nah, I must be on drugs! or something).  But like they say, one step at a time...

Your Midweek Musical Moment features Two pieces by German Composer Cristoph Schaffrath, his Sonata in D Minor for 2 Viola de Gamba with a performance by Jose Vazquez and Lucia Krommer in concert at the Castello di Duino. The second piece in this set is Schaffrath's Overture for Strings and Basso Continuo in A Minor with a performance by the Händelfestspielorchester des Opernhauses Halle, on period instruments, Howard Arman, conducting.  You may hear Schaffraf's Sonata for Viola de Gamba, Violin, Cello and Harpsichord in A Major over on my tumblr.  

Now it is time for those supremely sexy yet soaking wet hunks and hotties lounging about the pools, beaches and baths of the world in this week's edition of Wet Wednesday.  Today's collection is certainly a striking set of studs for your visual appreciation on your way down the page.  Additional wonderful wetness can be found in the Hottie of the Day!, Dan Osbourne, over on my tumblr.   Thanks for the visit, see you again soon.  Until next time as always, Enjoy!