President Barack Obama on Wednesday
nominated an openly gay judge for a federal district court judgeship
in Florida.
Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Darrin
Gayles was one of the five nominations announced by the White House.
If approved by the Senate, Gayles would
be the first openly gay black man to serve as a federal judge.
“Throughout their careers, these
distinguished men and women have demonstrated a steadfast commitment
to public service,” Obama said in an emailed statement. “I am
confident they will serve the American people with distinction from
the District Court bench.”
According to a White House bio, Gayles
began his career as an assistant state attorney in the Miami-Dade
State Attorney's Office in 1993. He received his J.D. from George
Washington University Law School and his B.A. from Howard University.