In what has been hailed as a historic moment, openly lesbian justice Maite Oronoz was appointed to the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico by governor Alejandro Padilla. Advocate Pedro Julio Serrano celebrated the nomination and called it "historic." At the ceremony announcing her appointment, Oronoz movingly thanked her partner, Gina Mendez, who is Chief of Staff for Senate President Eduardo Bhatia.
San Juan mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz proclaimed on Twitter (@CarmenYulinCruz) “Thisis a great day for equality!”
Several years ago, the Supreme Court ruled it was acceptable to disciminate against same-sex couples in matters of adoption, a decision many in Puerto Rico are working to overturn.
June 4, 2014