Virginia Judges Temporarily Appoint Gay Judge Blocked By Anti-Gay Lawmakers

Last month, the Virginia House of Delegates blocked Navy veteran and top Richmond prosecutor Tracy Thorne-Begland’s candidacy for a low-level state judgeship because he is gay. Earlier today, a Virginia circuit court nonetheless appointed him to the same seat, although only temporarily. While it is welcome news to learn that these circuit judges do not bear the same anti-gay animus as the state’s legislators, Judge Thorne-Begland will serve only a brief time on the state bench unless the legislature agrees to correct its prior error.