Gay judicial nominee sails through confirmation hearing (WashingtonBlade) 
A gay judicial nominee encountered no opposition during his confirmation hearing on Tuesday as senators focused on questions about his judicial philosophy.
Michael Walter Fitzgerald, whom President Obama nominated in July to the bench, is the fourth out federal judicial nominee chosen by the White House. Upon confirmation, he would take a seat on the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California and would be the first openly gay federal judge in that state.
Few senators attended the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. Five judicial nominees were facing confirmation. Sen Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) chaired the hearing instead of Chair Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.). Sens. Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Mike Lee (R-Utah) were the other two senators in attendance.
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Complete article at Washington Blade : http://bit.ly/nZwGXu
