International Association of LGBTQ Judges

11/04/2026

Congratulations, Chief Justice Ellis!

Democrat Maggie Ellis made history Tuesday as the first woman elected to serve as chief justice of the Texas Supreme Court and the state’s first openly LGBTQ+ person to win a statewide election.

Ellis defeated Republican Chief Justice Jimmy Blacklock in Tuesday's election. Four Democratic female candidates defeated Republican male incumbents to win all four elections for positions on the Supreme Court of Texas.
bit.ly/3UiFjER

11/04/2026

Association Member Judge Dean Hansell (California) featured in the Cal Lawyer Daily Journal

Judge Dean Hansell expected family court to be a temporary stop before moving to civil. Ten years later, he has found plenty of complex litigation right where he is.

His long-cause department handles cases involving business valuations, real estate, tax questions and disputes with scores of unresolved issues. His approach starts with organization, careful analysis and a rule he says he relearns constantly: “Don’t prejudge.”

Read the full judicial profile: https://www.dailyjournal.com/judicial_profiles/11086

10/08/2026

California Supreme Court names Member Judge W. Kearse McGill presiding judge of California State Bar Court https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/supreme-court-names-mcgill-presiding-judge-state-bar-court-0

08/23/2026

Congratulations, Judge Wood!

08/22/2026

The International Association of LGBTQ Judges mourns the passing of longtime member, Judge Barbara McDermott, 14-year jurist on Pennsylvania's Court of Common Pleas. Thank you, Judge McDermott, for your service to your community, and for your commitment to our organization. https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/inquirer/name/barbara-ann-mcdermott-obituary?id=62201228

View HON. BARBARA ANN MCDERMOTT's obituary, send flowers and sign the guestbook.

08/13/2026

The International Association of LGBTQ Judges mourns the passing of Justice Marsha G. Slough (ret.), Associate Justice on California's Fourth District Court of Appeal, and also the first openly gay justice to serve on that court. Thank you, Justice Slough, for being a trailblazer for those of us that follow!

Justice Marsha G. Slough, who served on California's Fourth District Court of Appeal and was a two-decade veteran of the state judiciary, died on Saturday following an illness. She was 68.

07/22/2026

As her tenure comes to a close, the International Association of LGBTQ+ Judges thanks its outgoing President, Judge Amy Sakalauskas (Nova Scotia), for her leadership, dedication, and passion, which have helped guide our organization. We are grateful for her time, talent, and heart. Thank you, Judge Sakalauskas, for your remarkable service and lasting impact!

07/21/2026

Last week, the Association held its annual Judicial Education Institute, hosted by the National LGBTQ+ Bar Association at its Lavender Law conference in Chicago, where we welcomed our judicial officer colleagues from around the world.

06/29/2026

Tal Khan Valbuena to make history as California’s 1st gay Muslim judge

Tal Khan Valbuena to make history as California's first gay Muslim judge. He declared victory in the race for LA Superior Court Office No.2.

06/24/2026

Member Acting Supreme Court Justice Chris Ann Kelley (NY) featured in the news: https://www.amny.com/news/suffolk-county-courts-recognize-pride-month-during-annual-ceremony/

Suffolk County Courts on Long Island recently celebrated Pride month with a special event in Central Islip.