Brody's Notes... Hawaii Governor Neil Abercrombie Nominates Lesbian To State's Highest Court

Aliʻiōlani Hale which houses the Hawaii State Supreme Court  

Photo By Rex Maximilian

By Mark Singer (Washington DC) JAN 25 | Hawaii's Governor, democrat Neil Abercrombie, has nominated an openly Lesbian to the state's Supreme Court. Honolulu Family Court Judge Sabrina McKenna, 53,  told reporters that she believes her sexual orientation is important to talk about.

“I think the reason I am willing to have this interview is that I want the young people to know that it doesn't matter who you are,” McKenna said. 

Judge McKenna, who has spent the last 17 years as a family court judge along with her partner, Denise Yamashiro, and their three children attended yesterday's announcement in the governor’s office.

KITV ABC4 News Honolulu, Hawaii

“I don't think I ever would have imagined achieving this kind of honor in my life,” McKenna told reporters.McKenna said “I do think that the world is changing,” McKenna said. “And I think that my appointment is an example of that.”

She said the message of her appointment is important for young people.

“Whether you are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, be yourself.” McKenna said. ”Be honest with yourself, even if people reject you, just do your best and anything is possible if you work hard and try hard.”

Governor Abercrombie, in announcing her nomination, told the gathered press corps that McKenna’s appointment had everything to do with her intelligence, temperament and legal knowledge and nothing to do with her sexuality.

McKenna's confirmation hearing will coincide with the just-launched effort to pass civil unions in Hawaii, but legislators say that issue will not effect their assessment of her candidacy.