“I believe, as a marginalized individual—being a black gay female immigrant disabled judge—that my perspective is a little different.” Grace Helen Whitener, a Black, gay, female, disabled, immigrant judge has been appointed to Washington State’s Supreme Court. Whitener was sworn in by Democrat governor Jay Inslee, who also swore in Jewish Native American politician Raquel Monotya-Lewis and Mary Yu, an Asian-American Latina lesbian who officiated the first same-sex marriage in Washington. Whitener, Montoya-Lewis and Yu’s appointments mean Washington State is now one of the most diverse courts in history. Before her history-making nomination to the Supreme Court, Whitener said: “I believe, as a marginalized individual—being a black gay female immigrant disabled judge—that my perspective is a little different. “I try to make sure that everyone that comes into this courtroom feels welcome, feels safe, and feels like they will get a fair hearing.” Throughout her c...
Striving for a World without Capital Punishment