ALBANY – State Senator Brad Hoylman (D, WF-Manhattan), the only openly LGBT member of the New York State Senate and Ranking Member on the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement praising Governor Cuomo’s decision to nominate Justice Paul Feinman to succeed the late Judge Sheila Abdus-Salaam on the New York State Court of Appeals. If confirmed, Feinman would be the first openly-LGBT judge to serve on the Court of Appeals, New York State’s highest court.

“Paul Feinman is a judicial nominee of impeccable credentials and unimpeachable character whom I’ve known personally for nearly a quarter of a century. I want to express my deep gratitude to Governor Cuomo for choosing such a historic and inspired candidate and for once again giving New York’s LGBT community something to celebrate at this year’s Pride March. As the Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I look forward to casting my vote in favor of Justice Feinman.”

Today’s announcement comes just two weeks after Senator Hoylman and the four other openly gay members of the State Legislature sent a letter to the Governor urging him to make history by appointing an LGBT judge to the Court of Appeals. The NYS Commission on Judicial Vacancies recommended seven candidates to fill the seat, including two openly LGBT judges, the Honorable Paul Feinman and the Honorable Rosalyn Richter.