Democratic Hawaii Governor Neil
Abercrombie's choice for the Hawaii Supreme Court, Sabrina McKenna,
is openly gay.
McKenna was appointed to the bench this
week, ABC-affiliate
KITV reported.
The 53-year-old McKenna, who is raising
three children with her partner Denise Yamashiro, said she hoped to
inspire young people
“I think the reason I am willing to
have this interview is that I want the young people to know that it
doesn't matter who you are,” she said. “All of us who are not
part of the mainstream go through the feelings of discrimination, the
realities of discrimination.”
“Judge McKenna is living proof that
when you have the determination and the desire and the support that
you can come from any background,” Abercrombie told reporters at a
news conference.
Aides to the governor said he did not
consider McKenna's sexual orientation in his decision making process.
The
appointment is good news for gay rights advocates lobbying for
passage of a gay-inclusive civil unions bill. A similar measure
was approved by lawmakers last year but then-Governor Linda Lingle, a
Republican, vetoed the measure.