Second out lesbian, Alison Nathan, confirmed for Federal Judgeship

Via Poliglot:

On a 48-44 vote, the U.S. Senate confirmed Alison Nathan’s nomination to serve as a federal judge on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

Nathan, an out lesbian, will be the second out lesbian federal judge with lifetime tenure in the country, joining U.S. District Court Judge Deborah Batts on the bench of the Southern District of New York. White House spokesman Shin Inouye praised the Senate action, writing, “The President welcomes the confirmation of Alison Nathan. She will serve the American people well from the District Court bench.”

Five members of the Democratic caucus did not vote for Nathan’s nomination, and no Republicans voted for it. Less than three months ago, U.S. District Court Judge J. Paul Oeken, was confirmed with the support of 28 Republicans. Oetken also sits on the Southern District of New York bench and currently is the only out gay male judge serving in one of the lifetime tenure positions in the federal judiciary.

Baby steps toward progress.