Victoria Kolakowski: 5 Facts About America's First Transgender Superior Court Judge
Jan 5, 2011 – 6:25 PM
David Knowles
http://www.aolnews.com/2011/01/05/victoria-kolakowski-5-facts-about-americas-first-trangender-su/In another milestone for gay, lesbian and transgender rights, Victoria Kolakowski was sworn in as the nation's first transgender trial judge Tuesday.
Having served as a lawyer 21 years, and an administrative law judge for the past four, Kolakowski brings an impressive resume to the bench, but the topic of her gender status has never been something she has shied away from discussing.
"To me, the real news of my being here tonight is not that a transgender person was elected as a judge, but it was never an issue in my campaign," Kolakowski said in remarks delivered after being sworn in, adding, "Throughout my career, once my colleagues found out that I am transgender, there was always a curiosity for a day or two and then I just became Vicky."
------------
Nation's First Openly Transgender Trial Judge Sworn In
Victoria Kolakowsi gives kudos to opponent for not making her gender an issue
By Ye Tian, Oakland North on January 5, 2011 - 5:19 p.m. PST
http://www.baycitizen.org/courts/story/victoria-kolakowsi-sworn-first-openly-us/Prolonged applause broke out from the crowd as Victoria Kolakowski, the first openly transgender trial judge in the United States, took her oath of office on Tuesday evening at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center in Oakland's Chinatown. The special session of the California Superior Court drew more than 100 people, including some LGBT community leaders and council members from several cities within Alameda County.
"It's a very powerful and deeply healing experience," said Shannon Minter, a transgender attorney who has argued in favor of same-sex marriage before the California Supreme Court. "It makes us feel not just that we're entitled to quality, that we also have something important to offer and to contribute."
