U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia—a conservative cornerstone of the high court—passed away at age 79 on Feb. 13 in Texas.
Also see "Scalia dies, fallout begins" at the link: www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Scalia-dies-fallout-begins/54266.html .
In a statement, Chief Justice John Roberts said he and other justices were "saddened" to hear of Scalia's passing.
"He was an extraordinary individual and jurist, admired and treasured by his colleagues," Roberts said. "His passing is a great loss to the court and the country he so loyally served. We extend our deepest condolences to his wife Maureen and his family."
Appointed to the court in 1986 by President Ronald Reagan, Scalia was the first justice of Italian-American heritage and passed through confirmation with a unanimous vote, CNN noted.
Being conservative and outspoken, Scalia consistently caused controversy. His dissent in the same-sex marriage case Obergefell v. Hodges called the decision to validate gay marriage throughout the United States a "threat to American democracy." Last December, he made controversial comments during a hearing about the future of a program at the University of Texas that takes race into consideration as one factor of admissions.
In a 2013 interview with New York magazine, Scalia said, "I have friends that I know, or very much suspect, are homosexual. Everybody does," according to a Huffington Post item. When reporter Jennifer Senior asked if any of them had come out to him, Scalia responded, "No. No. Not that I know of."
Scalia's passing now sets up an intriguing decision for President Obama, as he has to appoint a successor—one who could decide key issues such as gun control. However, the chief executive will need approval for his nominee from the Republican-controlled U.S. Senate. With the 2016 presidential election in November, Republicans may reject Obama's nominees until a president-elect is chosen.
Lambda Legal Statement on the Passing of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia
Upon hearing the news that U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonin Scalia had passed away, Lambda Legal issued the following statement from Legal Director Jon Davidson:
"We offer our deep condolences to Justice Scalia's family and loved ones.
"Justice Scalia served on the Supreme Court for nearly thirty years of our history fighting to make a case for LGBT equality and, during that time, we had several strong disagreements. Despite his not being a friend to our community or to the causes of racial and reproductive justice, Justice Scalia was a staunch defender of important aspects of the Constitution, especially rights to free speech and against unreasonable search and seizure.
"We urge President Obama swiftly to nominate and the Senate promptly to confirm a successor to Scalia's seat on the Supreme Court. The work of the Court is too vital to keep a seat absent long."
