Anti-gay judge confirmed

I got this email today from Geoff Kors, Equality California and thought that it was something interesting enough to paste in here.

September 25, 2009

Dear Mike, Over Equality California’s strong objection, the Commission on Judicial Appointments confirmed Gov. Schwarzenegger’s selection of Senator Charles S. Poochigian for a seat on the 5th District Court of Appeal yesterday. We find this appointment by the Governor to be appalling. Not only because Poochigian voted against every LGBT bill that came before him while in the legislature. Not only because the Judicial Nomination Committee of the State Board found him “Not Qualified.” Not only because the National Organization for Women-California Chapter and other groups are opposed to his appointment due to his dismal record on issues pertaining to the rights of women, people of color, people with disabilities and workers. But because all Californians will have to wonder about his commitment to justice when important issues come before the Court. Poochigian’s appointment is an example of why we need to elect a governor in 2010 who will select candidates who support our equality. I wonder if the result would have been the same if the nominee had opposed laws to ban employment discrimination against another minority group. As the only group to testify against Poochigian at the hearing, EQCA believes it is critical that our community’s issues are heard, and they were — front and center. For more than two hours, the issue of discrimination and bias against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Californians was presented to the Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court, the Attorney General, the Presiding Judge of the 5th District Court of Appeals and dozens of judges attending this hearing. Going forward I hope you will share with me any instances of legal proceedings where Chuck Poochigian’s lack of support for equal rights under the law – or that of any judge – is demonstrated. We will collect and pass your complaints to the State Bar. Warmly, Geoff Kors Executive Director Equality California P. S. For more details about the hearing, read a transcript of my testimony, and read the Bay Area Reporter’s coverage.