Progressives are celebrating the first openly transgender male judge this week during Pride month after New York Gov. Kathy Hochul appointed Seth Marnin to the New York State Court of Claims.
Mr. Marnin will be the nation’s first openly transgender male jurist.
He’ll need final approval by the state’s senate, according to the New York Post.
He has experience as an employment discrimination and civil rights counsel.
Prior to his judicial appointment on Wednesday by Ms. Hochul, Mr. Marnin worked as the director of training & education, equal opportunity & affirmative action at Columbia University.
On the state’s Court of Claims, Mr. Marnin will weigh civil disputes against the state and its agencies.
He’s the first transgender male judge nationally, but not the first transgender judge overall. There are currently two transgender female judges, Victoria Kolakowski and Andi Mudryk, serving in California.
Jake Faleschini, legal director for state courts for the Alliance for Justice, said there’s been progress in making sure the federal bench is diverse enough to represent the people.
“It is an auspicious moment during Pride Month to celebrate the confirmation of Seth Marnin as the first trans man to become a judge in our nation’s history. With legislatures attacking the transgender community across the country, it is essential that we ensure they have the very same opportunities to take part in interpreting and upholding the law as those who might wield it against them. We applaud Marnin’s achievements and thank Gov. Hochul for making this important nomination and the New York State Senate for voting to confirm him,” Mr. Faleschini said.
• Alex Swoyer can be reached at aswoyer@washingtontimes.com.
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