President Obama nominated seven new federal judges yesterday, including an out gay black man named Judge William Thomas to sit on the U.S. District Court in Southern Florida.
Together, said Obama, the nominees "represent my continued commitment to ensure that the judiciary resembles the nation it serves."
"These individuals have demonstrated the talent, expertise, and fair-mindedness Americans expect and deserve from their judicial system," said Obama in a statement. "I am grateful for their willingness to serve and confident that they will apply the law with the utmost impartiality and integrity. Too many of our courtrooms stand empty. I hope the Senate will promptly consider all of my nominees and ensure justice for everyday Americans."
BuzzFeed notes that Thomas, if confirmed by the Senate, will be the first out black man to serve as a federal judge. He is the third out judge President Obama has nominated, though. Obama previously nominated Pamela Ki Mai Chen to serve on the U.S. District Court in Eastern New York, while Judge Michael McShane, also gay, was suggested as a judge for the U.S. District Court in Oregon.
There's no word on when nominees could be confirmed, though: Congress has been particularly slow in confirming President Obama's various judicial nominations.
