BOSTON — Mass. Gov. Deval Patrick on Monday nominated an openly lesbian justice to serve on the state’s Supreme Court.
If confirmed, Barbara A. Lenk—who is married to her partner under Mass. law—would be the first openly gay member of the state’s highest court.
According to The New York Times, “Gov. Patrick, a Democrat who recently appointed the court’s first Asian-American justice and black chief justice, said it was ‘a nice coincidence’ that Justice Lenk was another history-making choice.”
“I like the idea of firsts, as you know,” he said, “and I’m proud of this one. But first and foremost, this is a very well-prepared, highly qualified candidate.”
Justice Lenk, 60, would fill Justice Judith A. Cowin, who has announced her retirement. Openly gay judges have also been nominated to high courts of Hawaii and Colorado in recent months.