10/31/2007

With Mary Wiseman, Ohio Gets its First Openly Gay Judge

Ohio Governor Ted Strickland this week replaced retiring Common Pleas Court Judge John Kessler by appointing former Dayton city commissioner Mary Wiseman to replace him. In doing so, Strickland apparently gave Ohio its first openly gay judge.

The AP reports: "Officials with gay rights group Equality Ohio say Wiseman's appointment makes state history. Forty-five-year-old Wiseman says she's proud if the gay community sees her as a role model and says she believes the rest of society can grow more comfortable about gays and lesbians in public office. Strickland gave Wiseman the news more than a week ago. On Monday, he said he's happy if he broke a barrier, while noting he made his choice because of Wiseman's qualifications."

Earlier this month, Daniel Anders took the bench in Philadelphia, giving that city its first openly gay male judge. And of course, earlier this year, Judge David Young became TV's first openly gay judge. Justice for all.

Posted 12:45 PM EST by Andy in News, Ohio | Permalink

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Comments

1. I'm happy about this event in Ohio.

   I hope I'm not being offensive to anyone when I say that looking at the photo of Judge Wiseman is the reason why I've argued about gays who separate transfolk from gay folk. Judge Wiseman is obviously a woman who does not believe in a traditional feminine look. There are gay people like her all over this country who could be fucked up if people believe there is this big difference between gay people and trans people. Straight folks don't know the difference--keep it that way.

   Some of y'all want to create some kind of hierarchy of homoness, but it just don't play.
   Post-operative transsexuals are the only transfolk who don't stay gay--got that? To most straight folks, a faggot 's a faggot, and a dyke 's a dyke--especially on October 31st: holiest day in homodom.

   Posted by: Derrick from Philly | Oct 31, 2007 1:06:30 PM

   
   

2. Slowly but surely, we're making progress here in Ohio. Strickland promised to be inclusive and he is. Brava to Wiseman.

   Posted by: SRB | Oct 31, 2007 1:27:27 PM

   
   

3. Do ya think this next installment of "Skipping toward the Apocalypse" will break on O'Reilly or Hannity & Colmes first?

   Ohio, you've come a long way, Baby!! Congrats!!

   Posted by: MikeinSanJose | Oct 31, 2007 1:47:57 PM

   
   

4. so how does it work that you can appoint an openly gay judge in one of the most legally-opressive-for-gay-folks states in the country ? schizophrenic, no ?

   Posted by: el polacko | Oct 31, 2007 5:14:20 PM

   
   

5. You might be interested in this audio interview with Judge David Young: http://www.mrmedia.com/2007/12/judge-david-young-syndicated-tv-judge.html .

   Posted by: Bob Andelman | Dec 8, 2007 4:42:16 PM

   
   

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