Obama and the First Openly Lesbian U.S. Marshal

category: Obama Administration and Gay Rights

Published October 14, 2009 @ 07:29AM PT

U.S. Marshal

Obama's relationship with LGBT activists may be complicated, but this administration does deserve credit for creating quite possibly the most diverse federal government we've seen in regards to hiring openly LGBT people. Another example comes this week, with Obama nominating openly lesbian Policewoman Sharon Lubinski to become a U.S. Marshal.

The nomination is historic because there's never been an openly LGBT U.S. Marshal. But it's not her sexual orientation that gets her this job. It's the depth and breadth of her experience as an Assistant Minneapolis Police Chief that makes her well qualified.

"Assistant Chief Lubinski has dedicated her career to the noble cause of protecting her fellow Americans. She has displayed exceptional courage in the pursuit of justice, and I am honored to nominate her today to continue her selfless work as a U.S. Marshal for the District of Minnesota," said President Obama.

An official White House press release also championed, "She has served in the Minneapolis Police Department for 20 years, 10 of those years in command positions. Prior to joining the Minneapolis Police Department, she spent eight years with the Dane County Sheriff’s Department in Madison, Wisconsin."

Sounds like someone completely qualified for this position. Can't wait to see Fox News and Glenn Beck fail in vain to take her down.

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Comments (6)

Excellent!!

I have to agree, the Obama administration is certainly doing a pretty job at not discriminating. That sounds like a person who is highly qualified to do the job, and do it well.

Good for her :)

Posted by Paul Hockhousen on 10/14/2009 @ 08:41AM PT
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Fox will protest her that is for sure.It is great that a gay person is picked for their qualifications instead of orientation.

Posted by Martin Martinez on 10/14/2009 @ 09:01AM PT
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It's good that President Obama has nominated a very qualified lesbian police chief for United States Marshal. President Obama making a speech for the Human Rights Campaign, with himself saying he's accountable for advancing LGBT rights, very probably led President Obama to make a good choice for U.S. Marshal. The conservatism of FOX News may try to take down the reputation of Sharon Lubinski, but the channel will certainly fail with their nonsense mission.

Posted by Edwin Bonilla on 10/14/2009 @ 01:33PM PT
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Congratulations to you miss lubinski.

Posted by Thomas McHugh on 10/14/2009 @ 02:21PM PT
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Wow great job Obama you nominate a police officer all the while she cant have her spouse collect her pension, share health insurance, or even jointly adopt a child in her state. Wonderful... Yes lets nominate a person who is LGBT for the measure of trying kiss our asses before you stab us in the back.

I am glad Lubinski is a nominee for the position, however I find it ironic that even our US Marshal is a second class citizen and will be treated as such thanks to Obama's uneasiness and cowardice in repealing DOMA and DADT.

Posted by Chris Marshall on 10/16/2009 @ 07:55AM PT
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Oh and thanks to congress as well with their lax policies of ending discrimination.

Posted by Chris Marshall on 10/16/2009 @ 07:57AM PT
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Author

Michael is the Communications Director for the Human Rights Program at Harvard Law School, and previously was Communications Director for Pax Christi USA, a progressive Catholic human rights organization.