US Close to having First Trans Judge

June 21, 2010

A trans women could become the first in US history to become a trial court judge in the state of California.

US Court Room

Victoria Kolakowski, 48, is beat her opponent in the race for superior court judge in Alameda County, California, but because she failed to win a majority – obtaining 45 percent of the vote in a primary - she will face a runoff with lawyer John Creighton in November.

She has represented trans plaintiffs in court and co-chairs the board of directors at the Transgender Law Centre.

"If I am elected, I would be the first openly LGBT superior court judge elected in Alameda County, the first openly LGBT person elected countywide, and the first transgender trial court judge in the United States,” Kolakowski wrote on her website.

"I believe that interacting with a transgender judge would help the other judges, court staff, police, district attorneys and the private bench to see people like me as respectable professionals and even colleagues, and not as 'freaks'.
 

"Therefore I am passionate about blazing this trail for my community. I have been very fortunate to have a successful career as a public servant, and I feel an obligation to serve my community as a role model as well."

Image source: Maverick 2003