NYS Gov. Kathy Hochul appoints Seth Marnin as first openly male transgender judge in US history
New York has made history by appointing the first openly male transgender judge in the United States. Seth Marnin was one of the eleven individuals named by Governor Kathy Hochul to serve on the state Court of Claims, which oversees civil cases seeking damages from the state. Marnin, who currently works as the director of training and education for equal opportunity and affirmative action at Columbia University and previously served as a legal advisor for nonprofits, will become the first openly transgender male judge in American history if confirmed by the state Senate.
Hochul expressed confidence in the “historic and outstanding group of appointees” and praised their “diverse perspectives and extensive expertise” as she announced the appointments in a statement. The addition of Marnin to oversee Court of Claims cases in New York City adds to the state’s growing list of historic appointments, as Governor Hochul successfully nominated Rowan Wilson as New York’s first black chief judge earlier this year.
Marnin’s resume includes a stint at the Anti-Defamation League as the vice president of civil rights. While no openly transgender men have served on the bench in the United States, some transgender women have, including Andi Mudyrk and Victoria Kolakowski in California.
The achievement for transgender people drew praise from Emilia Decaudin, one of the first transgender Democratic district leaders in state history, who commended the appointment as “a place for them, their leadership, and their judgment, in this state.”
FAQs:
Q: Who is Seth Marnin?
A: Seth Marnin is the first openly male transgender judge to be appointed in the United States.
Q: What is the Court of Claims?
A: The Court of Claims is responsible for overseeing civil cases seeking damages from the state.
Q: Who appointed Seth Marnin?
A: Governor Kathy Hochul appointed Seth Marnin to the Court of Claims.
Q: What other historic appointments has Governor Kathy Hochul made?
A: Governor Kathy Hochul successfully nominated Rowan Wilson as New York’s first black chief judge earlier this year.
Q: Have any other openly transgender individuals served as judges in the United States?
A: While no openly transgender men have served on the bench in the United States, some transgender women have, including Andi Mudyrk and Victoria Kolakowski in California.
Seth Marnin becomes first openly transgender male judge in the US history, appointed by NYS Gov. Kathy Hochul
New York has just announced the first openly transgender male judge in the nation. Seth Marnin, director of training and education for equal opportunity and affirmative action at Columbia University, was among eleven people selected by Governor Kathy Hochul to serve on the state Court of Claims, which is responsible for civil cases seeking damages from the state.
“I have full faith that this historic and outstanding group of appointees will serve New Yorkers with fairness and impartiality,” Hochul said in a statement. “With diverse perspectives and extensive expertise, I’m confident that each appointee will bring honor and integrity to New York State’s judiciary.”
Marnin’s appointment is the latest in a series of historical firsts for the court system in New York. Earlier this year, Hochul successfully nominated Rowan Wilson as the state’s first black chief judge. Hector LaSalle had previously been nominated as the first Latino chief judge, but his candidacy was not confirmed.
Marnin will need to be confirmed by the state Senate. His resume also includes a vice president of civil rights position at the Anti-Defamation League. While no openly transgender men have previously appeared on the US bench, some transgender women have, including Andi Mudyrk and Victoria Kolakowski in California.
Emilia Decaudin, one of the first transgender Democratic district leaders in state history, praised Marnin’s appointment in a statement to The Post. “We have a long ways to go until our judicial system truly serves the queer and transgender communities, but this historic appointment shows trans people across New York that there is a place for them, their leadership, and their judgment, in this state,” Decaudin said.