John,

LGTBQ+ individuals are underrepresented on the federal bench. In contrast to 7% of adults in the U.S. who identify as queer (and 17% of adults younger than age 30) -- only 2% of federal judges identify themselves this way. And we have never had an openly transgender or non-binary judge.

We’re already seeing that the hostility of many of Trump’s judicial appointees to LGBTQ+ rights could have long-term implications for gay rights nationwide.

Although President Biden and the Democratic Senate are doing their best to increase the diversity of federal judgeships, Republicans left behind a weaponized nomination confirmation process that they are now using to slow down Biden’s nominees. As a result, their current success rate trails that of Trump’s confirmations of conservative judges at this point in his presidency.

The delays create even more impetus to move forward on these nominations! President Biden and Senate Majority Leader Schumer need to know we are counting on them to deliver. Sign the petition demanding better LGBTQ+ representation amongst federal judges now.

A slew of new anti-LGBTQ+ state laws in 2023 are putting pressure on the judicial system to provide a constitutional counterbalance to abridgements of essential human rights. Successful efforts to intimidate teachers and librarians into taking books off shelves simply because they are written from multicultural perspectives, or prohibiting necessary medical treatments for transgender people, deny basic humanity to millions of people.

Our judicial system must stand up for the constitutionality of equal rights for all, inclusive of the full range of human gender expression and sexual orientation.

That means, LGBTQ+ individuals need to be more equitably represented on the federal bench in order to ensure the fair and constitutional adjudication of the laws. The courts must function as the essential check and balance to the legislative branch, protecting constitutionally recognized rights from being abridged by narrow-minded citizens fearful of people who look or behave differently from their assumed norms.

Sign the petition today and demand the courts represent the diversity of our nation.

Thank you for helping turn back the tide of Trump-influenced anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and the ongoing influence of MAGA backers.

- Amanda

Amanda Ford, Director
Democracy for America
Advocacy Fund