Michael Walter Fitzgerald, Fourth Openly Gay Judicial Candidate, Nominated By Obama

President Barack Obama announced Wednesday that he is nominating Michael Walter Fitzgerald to serve as a judge on the federal court for the Central District of California. Fitzgerald is the fourth openly gay judicial candidate Obama has nominated.

"I am honored to nominate Michael Walter Fitzgerald to the United States District Court,” Obama said in a statement. "His impressive career stands as a testament to his formidable intellect and integrity. I am confident he will serve the people of California with distinction on the District Court bench."

A congressional source familiar with the vetting process tells the Los Angeles Times that he doesn't expect Fitzgerald's sexual orientation to stand in the way of his confirmation by the Senate.

On Monday, Paul Oetken became the first openly gay man confirmed by the Senate to serve as a federal judge.

More here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/20/michael-walter-fitzgerald-obama-gay-judge_n_905305.html

I'm glad everyone is given a chance by Obama.

that folks were upset about because Obama took the nominees off of lists submitted by republican U.S. Senators from those states.

One of the men that Obama nominated to be a District Attorney in Texas is also openly gay.

State District Attorneys and Federal Judges are two separate categories.