• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • About Towleroad
  • Towleroad on Social Media
  • Privacy Policy

Towleroad Gay News

Gay Blog Towleroad: More than gay news | gay men

  • Travel
  • Sports
  • Law/Justice
  • Celebrities
  • Republicans
  • Madonna
  • Books
  • Men
  • Trans Rights
  • Royals
  • Monkeypox
  • Sophia Bush’s girlfriend ‘proud’ the actress has opened up about coming out as queer
  • Mel B declares she’ll ‘always be open’ when it comes to her sexuality!
  • Megan Thee Stallion being sued for ‘forcing cameraman watch her having lesbian sex!’

GOP Politicos, Lawyers Supporting Openly Gay Judge Nominee In Virginia

Andrew Belonsky June 14, 2012

Thorne-BeglandThere's still a chance that openly gay lawyer Tracy Thorne-Begland could become a District Court judge in Virginia.

Though GOP lawmakers rejected his appointment last month, there's increased pressure from lawmakers and other high-ranking state officials to get Thorne-Begland on the bench.

According to the Washington Post, five of Virginia's largest law firms wrote to the state's General Assembly urging them to reverse course.

"We understand that the Court is considering appointing Tracy Thorne-Begland to the District Court for the City of Richmond," they wrote in a letter to Richard D. Taylor Jr., presiding judge of the Circuit Court. "We believe he would be an outstanding jurist and support his appointment.”

Taylor Jr. has the power to appoint Thorne-Begland when the General Assembly is out of session, but that hypothetical decision could be overturned.

Read more AFTER THE JUMP.

Even if that route fails, there also appears to be a shift among GOP leaders who originally voted against Thorne-Begland. A local NBC affiliate reports that Republican Delegate Richard Morris has reversed his position on Thorne-Begland's potential appointment:

According to a memo obtained by the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Morris says he's reversing his decision after an extensive review of Thorne-Begland's military past.

Several lawmakers say they were opposed to Thorne-Begland's election to the bench because he violated the military's the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy when he came out on national television back in 1992. Some conservative delegates also believed he would pursue a gay rights agenda from the bench.

Morris' support comes after several prominent lawyers wrote the court in support of Thorne-Begland. A Richmond City Councilmen also proposed a resolution backing the former Navy pilot.

Senator Donald McEachin is praising Delegate Morris, releasing a statement that reads in part, "In this action, Delegate Morris has shown himself to be truly serving the public and willing to do what is best, regardless of previous statements of partisanship".

Leopards can indeed change their spots.

Topics: News More Posts About: News, Virginia, Virginia

Related Posts
  • Russia Blocks Facebook, Accusing it of Restricting Access to Russian Media;
  • Republican candidate in Virginia governor’s race, Glenn Youngkin, opposes marriage equality
  • Obama warns of Republican threat to democracy in US battleground Virginia
  • Mel B declares she’ll ‘always be open’ when it comes to her sexuality!

    Mel B declares she’ll ‘always be open’ when it comes to her sexuality!

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Mel B will “always be open” when it comes to her sexuality. The Spice Girls singer, 48, who reunited with her bandmates including the group's ex-singer Victoria Beckham for the fashion …Read More »
  • Megan Thee Stallion being sued for ‘forcing cameraman watch her having lesbian sex!’

    Megan Thee Stallion being sued for ‘forcing cameraman watch her having lesbian sex!’

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Megan Thee Stallion is being sued for allegedly creating a hostile work environment and forcing her cameraman to watch her having lesbian sex. The 29-year-old ‘Savage' rapper faces the salacious claims …Read More »
  • Mean Girls star Jonathan Bennett recalls the moment his life ‘changed forever’

    Mean Girls star Jonathan Bennett recalls the moment his life ‘changed forever’

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Jonathan Bennett's life was “changed forever” by his role in ‘Mean Girls'. The 42-year-old actor starred as heartthrob Aaron Samuels in the 2004 cult classic – which followed Lindsay Lohan, Rachel …Read More »
  • Sir Elton John sent Lance Bass gift basket to celebrate coming out

    Sir Elton John sent Lance Bass gift basket to celebrate coming out

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Sir Elton John sent Lance Bass a gift basket after he came out as gay. The 44-year-old NSYNC star revealed the legendary singer showed his support when Lance decided to reveal …Read More »
Previous Post: « Ryan Kwanten Dishes On ‘True Blood’ Season Five
Next Post: Sen. Max Baucus Applauds Montana Democrats For Gay Marriage Support »

Primary Sidebar

Most Recent

  • Sophia Bush’s girlfriend ‘proud’ the actress has opened up about coming out as queer

    Sophia Bush’s girlfriend ‘proud’ the actress has opened up about coming out as queer

  • Mel B declares she’ll ‘always be open’ when it comes to her sexuality!

    Mel B declares she’ll ‘always be open’ when it comes to her sexuality!

  • Megan Thee Stallion being sued for ‘forcing cameraman watch her having lesbian sex!’

    Megan Thee Stallion being sued for ‘forcing cameraman watch her having lesbian sex!’

  • Mean Girls star Jonathan Bennett recalls the moment his life ‘changed forever’

    Mean Girls star Jonathan Bennett recalls the moment his life ‘changed forever’

  • Sir Elton John sent Lance Bass gift basket to celebrate coming out

    Sir Elton John sent Lance Bass gift basket to celebrate coming out

  • Relationship status influences heterosexual women’s sexual prejudice towards lesbians

    Relationship status influences heterosexual women’s sexual prejudice towards lesbians

  • JoJo Siwa had a challenge transitioning to new grown-up image

    JoJo Siwa had a challenge transitioning to new grown-up image

  • Liz Hurley defends lesbian sex scene in new movie that was directed by her son

    Liz Hurley defends lesbian sex scene in new movie that was directed by her son

Partner Links

  • Helen Mirren Rules Mobland
    Mobland is a new series on Paramount + that pits two […]
  • GOP Lawmaker Goes Off The Rails On Fox News: 'Did Hunter Sign His Own Pardon?'
    Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-TX) floated the wild conspiracy theory that President […]
  • Ukraine Cripples Russia's Strategic Bomber Fleet
    Ukraine's biggest military operation of the war so far, with 40 […]
  • NBC Host To Mike Johnson: 'Do You Only Believe The CBO When A Dem Is President?'
    NBC host Kristen Welker confronted House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) because […]
  • Sources swear Nicola Peltz & Victoria Beckham beefed over Nicola’s wedding gown
    In 2022, Nicola Peltz and Brooklyn Beckham gave their exclusive wedding […]

Most Commented

Social

Twitter @tlrd | Facebook | Instagram @tlrd

About

  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • About Towleroad
  • Towleroad on Social Media
  • Privacy Policy
[towleroadmr] [towleroadtn]

Footer

Ptown Hacks 2018

Read

  • Travel
  • Film
  • Law – LGBT Rights
  • Columns
  • Specials

About

  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • About Towleroad
  • Towleroad on Social Media
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2025 · Log in

×
×