Transgender judge adjusts to new role

Published 06/23/2011
by Matthew S. Bajko

http://www.ebar.com/pride/article.php?sec=pride&article=120

At Oakland's Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse Judge Victoria Kolakowski doesn't hear her name voiced much in the corridors and offices of the East Bay city's old municipal court building.

"Everyone calls me Judge now. It is like my new name," said Kolakowski. "They say, 'Hi Judge.'   Everybody in the courthouse calls the judges Judge."

[...]

The anonymity is a stark change from the worldwide attention Kolakowski received last November after winning her election to become the country's first transgender trial court judge. Her victory garnered headlines around the globe and reporters sought her out to discuss her being a role model for transgender people.