WASHINGTON - The Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, applauded the United States Senate today for confirming Judge Sonia Sotomayor as an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court. The Senate voted 68-31 with 9 Republicans voting in favor of confirmation.

On July 17th, the Human Rights Campaign formally announced its endorsement of Judge Sotomayor for Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. You can read the release here: http://www.hrc.org/13191.htm. HRC also stood with Majority Leader Reid and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy and our coalition allies at a press conference last Wednesday to show our support for the confirmation of Judge Sotomayor.

"We commend the Senate for swiftly confirming Judge Sotomayor. Judge Sotomayor has proven that she is eminently qualified to sit on the United States Supreme Court," said Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign. "We are confident that she has demonstrated her understanding of the need for equality for all Americans. She is clearly committed to ensuring our Constitution lives up to its promise of equal justice for all."

Learn more about federal judicial nominations and follow our work on these crucial issues on HRC's Equality in the Courts by visiting: www.HRC.org/EqualityInTheCourts.

The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.