WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump announced his nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to replace Justice Anthony Kennedy on the U.S. Supreme Court Tuesday night. Judge Kavanaugh would be hostile toward LGBTQ equality, reproductive rights and the fundamental right to privacy if confirmed — as determined by the Federalist Society and Heritage Foundation, the two conservative legal groups that recommended Judge Kavanaugh. Equality California, the nation’s largest statewide LGBTQ civil rights organization, released the following statement from Executive Director Rick Zbur condemning Trump’s pick:
“Judge Brett Kavanaugh is a far-right extremist who may satisfy the litmus test established by the president’s supporters, but has consistently ruled against some of our most fundamental American freedoms. To replace Justice Kennedy with a dangerously radical opponent of LGBTQ equality, reproductive rights, affordable healthcare and fair elections would be an affront to the lives of people across the political spectrum who value these fundamental freedoms. “There is too much at stake for the LGBTQ community to sit back and let the Senate confirm another radical anti-LGBTQ extremist to the U.S. Supreme Court. There is too much at stake to allow Trump to turn back the clock on equality any further. Senator Mitch McConnell should follow his own rule and ‘give the people a voice in the filling of this vacancy.’”
“Judge Brett Kavanaugh is a far-right extremist who may satisfy the litmus test established by the president’s supporters, but has consistently ruled against some of our most fundamental American freedoms. To replace Justice Kennedy with a dangerously radical opponent of LGBTQ equality, reproductive rights, affordable healthcare and fair elections would be an affront to the lives of people across the political spectrum who value these fundamental freedoms.
“There is too much at stake for the LGBTQ community to sit back and let the Senate confirm another radical anti-LGBTQ extremist to the U.S. Supreme Court. There is too much at stake to allow Trump to turn back the clock on equality any further. Senator Mitch McConnell should follow his own rule and ‘give the people a voice in the filling of this vacancy.’”
When Justice Kennedy announced his retirement on June 27, Zbur was one of the first civil rights leaders to call on the U.S. Senate to delay confirmation of any nominee until after the November midterm elections — in accordance with the “McConnell Rule” established in 2016.
NOTE TO MEDIA: Equality California spokespeople in Washington, DC and Los Angeles are available for interviews and commentary related to Trump’s Supreme Court nominee and the devastating impact confirmation could have for LGBTQ people. Please contact Samuel Garrett-Pate at sam@eqca.org or (973) 476-3770 with any media inquiries.
BACKGROUND ON NAME:
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Equality California is the nation’s largest statewide LGBTQ civil rights organization. We bring the voices of LGBTQ people and allies to institutions of power in California and across the United States, striving to create a world that is healthy, just, and fully equal for all LGBTQ people. We advance civil rights and social justice by inspiring, advocating and mobilizing through an inclusive movement that works tirelessly on behalf of those we serve. www.eqca.org
