Todd Hughes – first openly gay judge confirmed to Federal Circuit Court

Today, Todd Hughes made history in his confirmation to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

By a vote of 98-0 (unanimous!), Hughes becomes the nation’s first openly gay circuit judge. He has been a deputy director in the civil division of the Justice Department since 2007.

“I am proud that today the Senate is finally taking this critical step to break down another barrier and increase diversity on our Federal bench,” Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy said in a statement after Tuesday’s vote.

(source)