GLAAD STATEMENT ON NOMINATION OF KETANJI BROWN JACKSON TO U.S. SUPREME COURT

STATEMENT FROM GLAAD PRESIDENT AND CEO SARAH KATE ELLIS:
“With newly-appointed conservative Justices likely to willfully use the Court to roll back hard-fought rights, the nomination of Judge Jackson is long overdue representation exactly where it is needed most, especially for the most marginalized in our country. Nearly all of the LGBTQ community’s nationwide rights have been provided and protected by the justices on the Supreme Court, including Obergefell v. Hodges, which granted nationwide marriage equality, to Bostock v. Clayton County, which affirmed LGBTQ people are protected from employment discrimination. The Supreme Court has played a key role in the fight for LGBTQ equality and must be a bulwark against discrimination, so that every American has a greater chance to belong, contribute and succeed. GLAAD urges a fair and swift hearing of Judge Jackson’s credentials so she can continue to ensure a more just, more prosperous nation for all of us.”

Ellis also responded on Twitter.

If confirmed, Judge Jackson will be the first Black woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court.

Judge Jackson’s career includes experience as a federal judge and a federal public defender, and staunch protector of essential civil and human rights important to LGBTQ Americans, including defending and upholding fair sentencing practices, disability rights, workers’ rights, immigrants’ rights, reproductive justice, and environmental protections.

GLAAD’s 2022 LGBTQ Voter Pulse Poll, released this week, shows 50% of LGBTQ voters would be more motivated to vote in the November 2022 election by President Biden nominating a progressive, pro-LGBTQ justice for the Supreme Court vacancy.

Supreme Court decisions expanding and upholding LGBTQ equality include:

Bostock v Clayton County (2020) – expanded Civil Rights employment protections

Obergefell v. Hodges (2015) – granted marriage equality

United States v. Windsor (2013) – overturned the discriminatory “Defense of Marriage Act”

Lawrence v. Texas (2003)- secured the Constitutional right to privacy and dignity for LGBTQ people and relationships

Romer v. Evans (1995) – struck down state laws banning LGBTQ nondiscrimination protections