The Puerto Rico Senate has confirmed a lesbian woman to become the next chief justice of the U.S. commonwealth's highest court, approving Maite Oronoz Rodriguez 14-12, The Washington Blade reported.
Rodriguez has been a member of the Puerto Rico Supreme Court since 2014. She will become the first openly LGBT chief justice in the United States.
Puerto Rico Gov. Alejandro Garcia Padilla nominated Oronoz earlier this month.
Lambda Legal issued a statement of congratulations. Staff Attorney Omar Gonzalez-Pagan said, "The confirmation of Maite Oronoz Rodriguez as the first openly LGBT Chief Justice in Puerto Rico and the United States makes history, breaks barriers, and marks a momentous step towards achieving a judiciary that reflects full and rich diversity of our country. A diverse judiciary serves not only to improve the quality of justice; it boosts public confidence in the courts.
"We are pleased with the Puerto Rico Senate's decision to swiftly confirm now-Chief Justice Oronoz Rodriguez to the Commonwealth's highest court. We hope that the United States Senate will act as responsibly and swiftly in considering President Obama's nominee to the current vacancy in the U.S. Supreme Court."