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Tracy Thorne-Begland Nomination: Gay Virginia Judge's Full-Time Appointment To Be Considered By Legislators After 2012 Controversy

Gay Judge's Controversial Appointment Back Before Virginia Legislators
Richmond Times-Dispatch
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The General Assembly's judicial appointment subcommittees meet today to consider the full-time appointment of Richmond's Manchester General District Judge Tracy Thorne-Begland -- the first openly gay person to serve on the bench in the commonwealth.

If the Courts of Justice Committees of the House of Delegates and the Virginia Senate certify his nomination for a six-year term, it will again be put to a vote of the GOP-dominated House, where it foundered last May in a late-hour decision that angered and embarrassed lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.

Though he had bipartisan support and had been certified in the committee process, Thorne-Begland's appointment was derailed when social conservatives raised issues over his sexual orientation and some delegates with military backgrounds questioned his decision in 1992 to publicly come out while serving as an aviator in the U.S. Navy. At the time, the military had a policy -- now defunct -- against homosexuals serving in the armed forces.

With the job left unfilled, the judges of Richmond's Circuit Court in June appointed Thorne-Begland, a highly respected former Richmond prosecutor, to fill the vacant Manchester judgeship on an interim basis.

Thorne-Begland, 46, has served on the bench since then, handling a full docket of cases in the busy South Richmond courthouse.

Observers of the political process surrounding the nomination say Thorne-Begland comes to today's judicial interviews in a much stronger position to be confirmed for a full, six-year appointment.

They say Thorne-Begland has spent the intervening months meeting with lawmakers who had expressed concern over his nomination and interest in learning more about his military service, his background and his qualifications to serve on the bench.

A number of lawmakers who did not vote on his nomination or cast votes against Thorne-Begland are expected to be supportive if it comes before the full House for another vote.

And some who are still unsure or in opposition said they came away impressed by the career prosecutor and decorated military veteran.

"I think he has every qualification to serve on the bench," said Del. Richard L. Anderson, R-Prince William, a retired colonel who last year opposed Thorne-Begland.

Anderson said that while he may still vote against the nomination "on this very narrow question" of Thorne-Begland's decision to speak in opposition to a military policy, he believes Thorne-Begland is a "conscientious public servant" whose sexual orientation is about "as germane as the color of his eyes" when it comes to his fitness for the bench.

And perhaps most importantly, Thorne-Begland, whose interim appointment was backed by many in Richmond's legal community, comes to the interview with six months of experience doing the job -- a job that he is doing quite well, according to a recent report by the City of Richmond Bar Association.

The report, which lawmakers are scheduled to receive today, was requested by Richmond's General Assembly delegation. It consists of findings by a four-person panel assigned to assess Thorne-Begland's judicial temperament, professional aptitude and diligence.

The report concludes that "Judge Thorne-Begland demonstrated the utmost professionalism" and strikes "an appropriate balance between being respectful and considerate to the parties and counsel before him, on the one hand, and respecting the gravity of the matters before the court."

The report also states that Thorne-Begland was decisive on motions and ruled on objections "quickly and confidently." And it praised him for being "prepared and diligent in the management of his docket" and attentive and fair in the cases before him.

"This analysis comports with what I have heard -- that he is very well-liked and doing an excellent job," said Del. G. Manoli Loupassi, R-Richmond, who sponsored Thorne-Begland's nomination to the bench last year and is his sponsor this time around.

"He is extremely qualified, and he's been doing a very good job for six or seven months, so I'm hopeful (lawmakers) will take these things into consideration -- and I think they will."

Last May, Thorne-Begland received 33 votes in the House. Thirty-one cast ballots against him, while the rest of the House either abstained or was not present for the early morning vote.

Judicial candidates' nominations need at least 51 votes to clear the House before heading to the Senate.

jnolan@timesdispatch.com

(804) 649-6061 ___

(c)2013 the Richmond Times-Dispatch (Richmond, Va.)

Visit the Richmond Times-Dispatch (Richmond, Va.) at www.timesdispatch.com

Distributed by MCT Information Services

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Before You Go

25 LGBT-Friendly Products & Companies Targeted By Boycotters
Oreo(01 of25)
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In June 2012, Oreo posted a photo of a rainbow sextuple-stacked cookie to its Facebook page in honor of Pride month. While the responses were mostly positive, some commenters were outraged, even calling for a boycott of the product. Still, Basil Maglaris, Kraft's associate director of corporate affairs, said that the positive comments on the post "far outweighed" the negative ones. (credit:Oreo)
Betty Crocker(02 of25)
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The staple of American domesticity is part of the General Mills family of products, which has been boycotted by the National Organization for Marriage for opposing the Minnesota Marriage Amendment. What better way to celebrate the stand against intolerance than Betty Crocker's Rainbow Chip cake?Correction on July 24 at 1:35pm ET: The original version of this slideshow misidentified the name of the Minnesota Marriage Amendment. It has been corrected on this slide and several others throughout the slideshow. (credit:General Mills)
Levi's(03 of25)
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In 1992, Levi's found itself at odds with the Boy Scout's 'Three Gs' principle that had guided the Scouts' membership model for more than 80 years -- that everyone is welcome, provided they are not gay, godless, or a girl. San Francisco-based Levi's pulled its Boy Scout funding, due to the group's exclusion. In response, Republican Dana Rohrabacher encouraged a 'grassroots' counter-boycott of Levi Strauss and his Texan colleage, Tom DeLay, was even more extreme in his reaction: "When Texans find out that the Levi's they have on go toward attacks on the Boy Scouts of America... they'll take off those Levi's and burn them in the streets." (credit:Levi Strauss & Co.)
Cheerios (04 of25)
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Not only will this breakfast cereal reduce your family's cholesterol but it will reduce your family's moral integrity as well, according to The National Organization for Marriage. As part of the General Mills family of products, Cheerios is one of the brands that has been boycotted by NOM for opposing the Minnesota Marriage Amendment. (credit:General Mills)
American Apparel (05 of25)
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In 2009, American Apparel put its "Legalize Gay" t-shirt in storefront windows in Washinton, D.C. When a group of anti-LGBT vandals broke the store's windows, the company didn't back down, but rather agreed to send shirts to any group in D.C. that was fighting for gay rights. (credit:American Apparel)
Disney World (06 of25)
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Although Walt Disney World's Gay Days are not officially sanctioned by the theme park, they were the object of a Florida Family Association warning. The anti-LGBT group paid to have two planes fly over the park, with warning banners, to deter unsuspecting families from attending the park during Gay Days. (credit:Walt Disney World)
Starbucks(07 of25)
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In January 2012, when Starbucks released a memorandum voicing support of gay marriage, NOM launched DumpStarbucks.com to urge people to boycott the coffee chain. (credit:Starbucks)
Wheaties(08 of25)
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As part of the General Mills family of products, which has been boycotted by NOM for opposing the Minnesota Marriage Amendment, there are attempts to dethrone Wheaties as the "Breakfast of Champions."
Tide Detergent(09 of25)
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In 2004, Procter and Gamble angered conservatives by opposing an anti-gay rights statute that would exempt gays and lesbians from special civil rights protection in its hometown of Cincinnati. In response, the American Family Association issued a boycott of some of P&G's most popular products, including Tide Detergent, and gathered petition signatures from almost 365,000 families urging Procter & Gamble to change its policy. (credit:Proctor & Gamble)
Microsoft(10 of25)
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In 2005, Microsoft came under fire from anti-LGBT activists, including evangelical preacher Ken Hutcherson, for its support of a bill in that would outlaw discrimination against homosexuals at work in the state of Washington. In response, Microsoft withdrew its support of the bill, prompting outrage from gay and liberal activists and criticism from its staff and other big businesses. In response, Bill Gates backtracked again and admitted that he was surprised by the vehemence of the reaction. When the bill was defeated by a single vote, Microsoft's liberal critics blamed its withdrawal of support for the loss. (credit:Microsoft)
Home Depot (11 of25)
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A May 2012 post on the American Family Association web site proclaims, "AFA is promoting a boycott of Home Depot until it agrees to remain neutral in the homosexual culture war. The total number of people who have signed the Home Depot boycott pledge is 719,037." The pledge condemns Home Depot for giving "financial and corporate support to open displays of homosexual activism," because this helps expose "small children to lascivious displays of sexual conduct by homosexuals and cross-dressers." In response to the pledge, which was delivered at Home Depot's annual shareholder meeting, Chairman Blake responded, "We are, and will remain, committed to a culture that fosters an inclusive environment for our associates, our customers and communities in which we exist." (credit:Home Depot)
Pampers Diapers(12 of25)
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Diapers are essential to fulfilling the straight family-making dream, which make them an odd target of a 'pro-family' boycott. However, in 2004, Proctor and Gamble angered conservatives by opposing an anti-gay rights statute that would exempt gays and lesbians from special civil rights protection in its hometown of Cincinnati. In response, the American Family Association issued a boycott of some of P&G's most popular products, including Pampers Diapers, and gathered petition signatures from almost 365,000 families, urging Procter & Gamble to change its policy. (credit:Proctor & Gamble)
PepsiCo Products(13 of25)
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After it was discovered that PepsiCo gave a combined $1,000,000 to the Human Rights Campaign and PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) to promote the so-called "homosexual lifestyle" in the workplace, the American Family Accociation posted a "Boycott Pepsi Pledge," urging conservatives to stay away from Pepsi drinks, Frito Lay chips, Quaker Oats, and Gatorade. (credit:Pepsi Co.)
Safeway(14 of25)
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In June of 2009, Safeway honored Pride by putting large gay/lesbian Pride posters in its stores across America. In response to this celebration of the "gay lifestyle," the American Family Association urged conservatives to contact their local Safeway, and ask it to "stop promoting homosexuality," and "let Safeway know if they continue, you will consider grocery shopping with their competitors." (credit:Safeway)
Crest Toothpaste (15 of25)
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In 2004, Procter and Gamble angered conservatives by opposing an anti-gay rights statute that would exempt gays and lesbians from special civil rights protection in its hometown of Cincinnati. In response, the American Family Association issued a boycott of some of P&G's most popular products, including Crest Toothpaste, and gathered petition signatures from almost 365,000 families, urging Procter & Gamble to change its policy. (credit:Proctor & Gamble)
Old Navy(16 of25)
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In 2011, when Old Navy planned to sell shirts to benefit the anti-suicide, anti-bullying It Gets Better project, the American Family Association urged members to "drop by your Old Navy store in your community and tell them you're not going to shop at Old Navy until they get their minds right." (credit:Old Navy)
Girl Scouts(17 of25)
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In 2011, when The Girl Scouts decided to allow a transgender youth to participate, The American Family Association urged members to contact Girl Scout leadership, "expressing your disappointment in their recent decision to allow boys as troop members," and to "let them know you will not support the Girl Scouts as long as it continues down a path of destructive policies." (credit:Girl Scouts)
Macy's(18 of25)
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In December 2011, a Macy's dressing room attendant prevented a transgender woman from using a female dressing room, because it violated her religious beliefs. After the woman was fired for refusing to abide by Macy's pro-LGBT policies, the American Family Association lamented, "The LGBT agenda has become the theater of the absurd" and urged members to contact the Macy's headquarters to "express... outrage at this injustice to female employees and customers." (credit:Macy's)
Target(19 of25)
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In May 2012, Target announced that 100% of the purchase price of any of its Pride merchandise would be donated to the pro-LGBT Family Equality Council. The American Family Association lamented that "Target is joining President Obama in ramming same-sex marriage down the throats of the American people" and urged members to contact Target Chairman Gregg Steinhafel, to "let him know that a majority of Americans oppose same-sex marriage and are able to use their pocketbooks to voice their opposition to companies that support it."It should be noted that Target has also come under fire from gay advocates. In 2011, Lady Gaga nixed a deal with Target for an exclusive special edition of her "Born This Way" album after it was revealed that the brand had donated $150,000 to MN Forward, a group that was backing Tom Emmer's gubernatorial bid in Minnesota. Emmer was known for being especially conservative and not supporting equal rights for LGBT citizens. (credit:Target)
J.C. Penney(20 of25)
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Aside from One Million Mom's infamous boycott of the department store for choosing Ellen DeGeneres as its spokesperson, J.C. Penney also came under fire in June 2012 when its catalog featured two men on the floor playing and hugging their two children at home indicating, according to the American Family Association, that the company made a "departure from its moorings to God's Word and Mr. Penney's leadership by taking sides in the cultural war in celebration of homosexuality." The AFA urged members to "call or visit your local J. C. Penney store manager to politely inform them that you will not be shopping at their store this Father's Day," and added, "If you have a store credit card or hold stock with the J. C. Penney Company, Inc. (NYSE: JCP), you might consider closing your account and divesting until they become neutral in the culture war." (credit:J.C. Penny)
Pillsbury(21 of25)
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Pillsbury is part of the General Mills family of products, which has been boycotted by NOM for opposing the Minnesota Marriage Amendment. (credit:General Mills)
Walgreen's(22 of25)
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In 2006, Walgreen's was a Platinum-Level sponsor of the Chicago "Gay Games." According to Tom Kovach of RenewAmerica.com, "by its very definition, the 'Gay' Games will invite people from all over the world to come to Chicago this summer and have homo-sex," and Walgreen's support contradicted it "squeaky-clean, family-friendly corporate image." Kovach wasn't alone in his condemnation -- the Illinois Family Institute voiced opposition and considered urging members to boycott the Pharmacy chain. (credit:Walgreen's)
Ford(23 of25)
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In 2005, the American Family Association launched a boycott campaign against Ford for being "the company which has done the most to affirm and promote the homosexual lifestyle." The group criticized Ford for donating money to gay-rights organizations (Ford offered to give up to $1,000 to the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation for every Jaguar and Land Rover it sells to a member of GLAAD) and complained that Ford had sponsored Pride celebrations, advertised in gay-oriented publications and was "redefining the definition of the family to include homosexual marriage." (credit:Ford)
Gap(24 of25)
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When Gap launched an ad campaign featuring two men pressed together under a shared t-shirt, anti-LGBT group One Million Moms, which is part of the American Family Association, launched a boycott, stating, "GAP Inc. Brands, including Old Navy, Banana Republic, Piperlime, and Athleta, does not deserve, nor will it get, money from conservative families across the country. Supporting GAP is not an option until they decide to remain neutral in the culture war. GAP needs to seriously consider how their immoral advertising affect the youth of our nation." (credit:Gap)
Green Giant(25 of25)
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The frozen vegetable brand is part of the General Mills family of products, which, in June 2012, was boycotted by NOM for opposing the Minnesota Marriage Amendment.
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