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Gina Méndez-Miró Becomes the First Latina Judge From the LGBTQ+ Community Appointed to Puerto Rico’s Federal District Court

Credit: Judicialreporting, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

History or, better yet, HERstory was made yesterday.  

On Tuesday, February 14, it was announced that Gina Méndez-Miró is the 100th judge to be confirmed by Senate Democrats under the Biden Administration. The U.S. Senate approved-judge is also the first judge who is openly part of the LGBTQ+ community to serve on the federal district court in Puerto Rico.  

This is a powerful accomplishment for women everywhere as well as for the LGBTQ+ community. ¡Enhorabuena! 

Méndez-Miró, who was previously a Puerto Rico appeals court judge, was approved in the Senate on a 54 to 45 vote. According to the United States District Court of Puerto Rico, she will occupy the seat previously held by Judge Carmen C. Cerezo. Currently, Judge Méndez-Miró is awaiting her judicial commission. 

This news, unsurprisingly, has been welcomed by many people. Let’s take a look at what some are saying. 

What people are saying about Gina Méndez-Miró’s historic appointment

Nydia Velazquez, who became the first woman to chair the United States House Committee on Small Business in January 2007 as well as the first Latina (and Puerto Rican) woman to chair a House standing committee, seemed elated with the confirmation. Velazquez tweeted that “Gina Méndez-Miró’s historic confirmation as the first LGBTQ+ judge in the history of @USCourtsPRD will help ensure the justice system reflects our society’s diversity.” 

“Gina will be an excellent federal judge, and I’m proud to have backed her nomination from the beginning,” she added. 

Mark Joseph Stern, a senior writer for Slate, shared a fun fact after the news broke.  

“Fun fact: Judge Gina Mendez-Miro (left) is the wife of Maite Oronoz Rodríguez (right), current chief justice of the Puerto Rico Supreme Court,” he tweeted. “Both are the first openly LGBTQ individuals to serve in their current positions. The judiciary’s best power couple imo.” 

The co-founder of Aventuras Yuiza, Jossie Valentin, expressed her excitement about the announcement considering that she gets to share this moment with her wife.  

“By a vote of 54 to 45, the U.S. Senate has now confirmed Gina Méndez-Miró to serve as U.S. District Judge in Puerto Rico. What an experience to witness this moment in herstory from my home in Puerto Rico with my wife.” 

Carmen M, Feliciano, the Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration, spoke on Méndez-Miró’s qualifications.   

“Judge Gina Méndez Miró brings wisdom, professionalism, and diversity to our Nation’s court system,” Feliciano tweeted. “Her academic background, knowledge of the law, and professional experience as a jurist in the Puerto Rico Court of Appeals will serve her well in this new endeavor.” 

The U.S. Vice President, Kamala Harris also chimed in. 

“Congrats to Gina Méndez-Miró on being confirmed as district court judge in Puerto Rico, our Administration’s 100th judicial confirmation,” the VP wrote. 

“These judges reflect the diversity of America and come from professional backgrounds historically underrepresented on the bench.” 

Gina Méndez-Miró, we wish you the best! 

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