The courts "in many ways make up the least examined branch of the government" despite their "vital" effect on the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community, says Human Rights Campaign (HRC) President Cheryl Jacques in the HRC Foundation's new report, "Justice for All?"

http://www.civilrights.org/issues/glbt/details.cfm?id=25374

By civilrights.org staff
civilrights.org

October 1, 2004

The report, released this week, explores the role that a fair and balanced judiciary has on the GLBT community.

"The makeup of the court is one of the most important outcomes of elections," Jacques said. "GLBT Americans and our allies too frequently overlook the effect judges have on our lives. And we forget that when we're in that voting booth, we're picking not only a president, but the person who puts judges on the bench for a lifetime. This report is designed to make that connection."

The publication is part of an educational campaign funded by the Open Society Institute Network of the Soros Foundation's Network.

"We are proud to support this effort by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation to shed light on the crucial role played by a fair and impartial judges in our democratic system," said John Kowal of the Open Society Institute. "This report is an essential educational tool for the GLBT community."

"Justice for All?" explores the issues of judicial activism, the selection of judges, and how readers can help protect the courts and their rights - particularly in the context of the GLBT community.

"Our vote for president and our senators are votes for the judges who will safeguard or ignore our community's fundamental rights," said HRC Senior Counsel Lara Schwartz, author of the report. "Yet too many GLBT Americans don't take the opportunity to make their own decision to vote, which amounts to leaving this crucial choice in the hands of our opponents."

The HRC Foundation also released a movie about the issue, "Presenting American Justice: Just like American Idol," this week.