Lesbian attorney Maite Oronoz Rodriguez has become the first openly gay person on Puerto Rico's Supreme Court.
In a statement, Gov. Alejandro Garcia Padilla congratulated Rodriguez on her Senate confirmation by the Senate as the new associate judge of the Supreme Court of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Padilla said, "During her confirmation process in the Senate, attorney Oronoz Rodriguez not only proved the quality of human being she is, but also showed that she has the temperament, the knowledge and wisdom required to belong to the highest court of the country."
Press release: Lambda Legal Applauds Historic Confirmation of First Openly Lesbian Judge to Puerto Rico Supreme Court
"The confirmation of Maite Oronoz RodrÃguez to the Puerto Rico Supreme Court marks a historical step towards achieving a judiciary that reflects Puerto Rico's full and rich diversity."
(San Juan, PR, June 24, 2014) — Yesterday, the Puerto Rico Senate confirmed attorney Maite Oronoz RodrÃguez as an Associate Justice to the Puerto Rico Supreme Court, marking the first time that an openly lesbian judicial nominee is confirmed to the Commonwealth's highest court. Lambda Legal released the following statement from Staff Attorney Omar Gonzalez-Pagan:
"The confirmation of Maite Oronoz RodrÃguez to the Puerto Rico Supreme Court marks a historical step towards achieving a judiciary that reflects Puerto Rico's full and rich diversity.
"We are pleased with the Puerto Rico Senate's decision to confirm now-Associate Justice Oronoz RodrÃguez to the Commonwealth's highest court. It is critical that the judiciary be composed of judges who truly represent and understand the issues faced by all who are subject to their rulings.
"Courts matter to the LGBT community in Puerto Rico and across the country. We must care about the courts if we care about our rights, our families, our neighbors and our society. We look forward to continuing our work in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico on behalf of LGBT people and people living with HIV."
Read Lambda Legal's Puerto Rico resource page: http://www.lambdalegal.org/puerto-rico
Lee el nuevo recurso informativo acerca de Puerto Rico: www.lambdalegal.org/puerto-rico .
Press release: Lambda Legal celebra la historica confirmacion de la primera juez lesbiana al Tribunal Supremo de Puerto Rico
"La confirmacion de Maite Oronoz RodrÃguez al Tribunal Supremo de Puerto Rico representa un paso historico hacia una judicatura que refleje la amplia y abundante diversidad de Puerto Rico."
(San Juan, PR, 24 de junio 2014) — En el dÃa de ayer, el Senado de Puerto Rico confirmo a la licenciada Maite Oronoz RodrÃguez como juez asociada del Tribunal Supremo de Puerto Rico, marcando la primera ocasiÃ"n que una nominada a la judicatura abiertamente lesbiana es confirmada al mas alto foro judicial de Puerto Rico. Lambda Legal emitio la siguiente declaraciÃ"n de su abogado, Lic. Omar Gonzalez-Pagan:
"La confirmacion de Maite Oronoz RodrÃguez al Tribunal Supremo de Puerto Rico representa un paso historico hacia una judicatura que refleje la amplia y abundante diversidad de Puerto Rico.
"Nos complace la decision del Senado de Puerto Rico de confirmer a la ahora-Juez Asociada del mas alto foro judicial de Puerto Rico. Es de suma importancia que el sistema judicial este compuesto por jueces que verdaderamente representan y entiendan los asuntos que confrontan a quienes son afectados por sus decisiones.
"Las cortes son de importancia para la comunidad LGBTT en Puerto Rico y los Estados Unidos. Si nos importan nuestros derechos, nuestras familias, nuestros vecinos y nuestra sociedad, nos debe de importar la composicion y el funcionamiento de nuestras cortes. Esperamos con anticipacion continuar nuestra labor en el Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico a nombre de la comunidad LGBTT y las personas con VIH."
Visite la pagina de Lambda Legal sobre Puerto Rico: www.lambdalegal.org/puerto-rico .
