The Hawaii Senate on Wednesday
confirmed Democratic Governor Neil Abercrombie's choice for the
state's Supreme Court, Sabrina McKenna, who is openly lesbian, the
Star Advertiser reported.
Senators unanimously approved her
10-year appointment to the high court.
“I feel like I'm living a dream, an
American dream, that it is possible to come from humble beginnings
and achieve the highest heights,” McKenna said.
“I'm just honored to be here,” she
added.
McKenna is Governor Abercrombie's first
judicial appointment since taking office.
“I'm completely confident that Judge
McKenna's appointment will be something I'm proud of for the rest of
my life,” Abercrombie said in a statement.
The 53-year-old McKenna, who is raising
three children with her partner Denise Yamashiro, earlier spoke to
the media about her sexuality.
“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.”