Senate Confirms Lesbian Judicial Nominee to Federal Bench

The U.S. Senate voted unanimously Wednesday to confirm out lesbian Judith Levy to the federal bench.

Voting 97-0, the Senate confirmed Levy, along with three other judicial nominees, to serve as federal judges for southeast Michigan. Levy, who has served as an assistant U.S. attorney in the Eastern District of Michigan since 2000 and has served as chief of that office's civil rights unit for the past three years, will serve as a judge for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.

"Judith Levy will make an incredible addition to Michigan's judiciary," said D'Arcy Kemnitz, executive director of the National LGBT Bar Association, in a statement. "LGBT representation in our courts is critical and speaks to the tremendous advocacy and support our community has received."

Levy was nominated by President Barack Obama in July upon the recommendation of Michigan Sens. Carl Levin (D) and Debbie Stabenow (D).

According to Levin, Levy, along with the three other judges confirmed today, has "demonstrated a mastery of the law and the impartiality required of a judge, and I know they will serve justice and the people of Michigan well."

"Today's vote is great news for Michigan," added Stabenow in a statement. "These four highly respected jurists have dedicated their careers to our community and to public service and will serve our state with great distinction."

Levy adds to the growing number of gay federal judges confirmed during Obama's presidency. Prior to becoming an assistant U.S. attorney, Levy was a trial attorney for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission from 1999 to 2000 and served as a law clerk to the Judge Bernard A. Friedman on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. She attended the University of Michigan Law School and the University of Michigan.