Yesterday, June 4, 2014, Attorney Maite Oronoz Rodríguez, Director of Legal Affairs for the City of San Juan, was chosen by Governor of Puerto Rico, Alejandro Garcia Padilla, to be his Supreme Court nominee. That she is a woman in unremarkable, she would join Justices Anabelle Rodríguez, Mildred Pabón Charneco, and Chief Justice Liana Fiol Matta, if confirmed.
Photo attribution: Josian Bruno, NotiCel
Links here, and here:
El nombramiento de la licenciada Maite Oronoz Rodríguez, como jueza asociada del Tribunal Supremo, ha sido bien recibido por grupos feministas, de la comunidad LGBTT y organizaciones profesionales.
The nomination of Attorney Maite Oronoz Rodríguez, as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court has been well received by feminist groups, the LGBTT community and professional organizations. NotiCel
In the words of our Governor,
Video
Transcript:
With a solid academic backround in the universities of Villanova, Florence,
Puerto Rico and Columbia,
with ample experience in public service and private practice,
a young Puerto Rican jurist will soon become a part
of the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico.
Her name is Maite Oronoz Rodríguez.
To the continuing tension between status quo and change
as the Supreme Court develops in any place,
Attorney Oronoz will inject a tenacity
and a determination to fight
for a Puerto Rico that gives a hand up,
that grows in times of struggle and hope,
that seeks a greater Law,
that expands and focuses on the construction of a prosperous and just society.
Alejandro Garcia Padilla, Governor of Puerto Rico, June 4, 2014
What’s remarkable is that Maite Oronoz Rodríguez is an out and very proud lesbian. This, as you may have just guessed, will subject her to a very public and painful ride, one that has already begun. Yesterday we were jubilant with the wonderful news, and today, added to our joy is shock and sadness. Though not unexpected, the shock comes from again having to see in black and white the deliberate embrace of discrimination “in the name of God” and “protecting the family”… Will it never end?
Link
Voces a favor y en contra de la designación de Oronoz al Supremo
Mientras unos catalogan de triunfo histórico el nombramiento, otros consideran fue "una falta de respeto”
Voices For and Against the Nomination of Oronoz to the Supreme [Court]
While some consider this nomination as an historic triumph, others consider it “disrespect”...
Against the nomination are pastors Wanda Rolon and Dr. César Vázquez, who described the action of Governor Alejandro García Padilla as "disrespectful" to a people with "values"...
..."It's my understanding that she must use her merits as a professional and not just get up there and impose on us, with such nerve - here is my companion; this is still a country where marriage is between one man and one woman", Rolon said. "The governor has once again disrespected all who believe in family values as strictly established by God," added the self-appointed apostle....
El Nuevo Día
This news came amid the LGBTT’s Pride Week celebrations here, adding excitement and joy, especially among those preparing for the culmination of Pride Week in Boquerón this Sunday.
Photo attribution: Pedro Julio Serrano, Boquerón 2014
“I said last year when four laws in support of the LGBTT community were approved: There is no going back,” said Serrano. “Today we take a historic step in the right direction that demonstrates that Puerto Rico is for all of us. The governor has made an excellent nomination.” Link
For me… I will continue to celebrate and struggle together with my friends here, arm in arm with friends everywhere, confident that the day will come when discrimination in any form no longer exists.
What are your thoughts on this news, or Oronoz’s chances of confirmation? Do you have a struggle or Pride Week story to share?