The state appeals court judge will be the first openly gay justice on Massachusetts' highest court.
Barbara Lenk, Gov. Deval Patrick's latest choice for the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court is preparing for her Statehouse confirmation hearing.BOSTON (AP) — A state appeals court judge who will be the first openly gay justice on Massachusetts' highest court has been confirmed.
The Governor's Council voted 5-3 on Wednesday to approve Barbara Lenk for the Supreme Judicial Court.
Councilors Charles Cipollini, Mary-Ellen Manning and Jennie Cassie voted against confirmation.
Lenk was a Superior Court judge before joining the appeals court in 1995.
She now joins the court that issued a landmark 2003 ruling making Massachusetts the first state to allow same-sex marriage. Lenk married her long-time partner after that vote.
Gov. Deval Patrick thanked the council for concluding that Lenk's intellect and experience will make her an outstanding justice.
Arlene Isaacson of the Massachusetts Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus said councilors rose above some of the prejudice and anti-gay sentiments they heard during the confirmation process.