HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN EXPRESSES DISAPPOINTMENT ON JUDICIARY COMMITTEE VOTE ON LESLIE SOUTHWICK

'The Judiciary Committee's duty is to ensure that only fair-minded individuals, committed to civil rights for all Americans, are permitted to serve lifetime appointments to our federal courts,' said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese.

WASHINGTON - Today the Senate Judiciary Committee approved, by a vote of 10 to 9, the nomination of Judge Leslie Southwick to the United States Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit. Southwick has a disturbing record on equal rights, having participated in a decision removing an 8-year-old child from the biological mother due in part to the mother's sexual orientation. This vote brings Southwick one step closer to a lifetime position on the federal bench.

"The Judiciary Committee's duty is to ensure that only fair-minded individuals, committed to civil rights for all Americans, are permitted serve lifetime appointments to our federal courts," said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. "The courts of appeal make decisions that are critical to our lives. Judge Southwick has demonstrated a willingness to base the most important decision imaginable - separating a parent from her child - upon anti-gay prejudice. He is unfit to serve on the court, and we strongly encourage the full Senate to reject his nomination."

Below is HRC's letter in opposition to the nomination of Judge Southwick:

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

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