Member Spotlight

Judge Tracy Thorne-Begland Takes Oath

Following a long and difficult path to confirmation, the Honorable Tracy Thorne-Begland took the oath of office on March 1st.

His appointment to a six-year term on the Richmond General District Court was confirmed January 14th by the Virginia House of Delegates and a day later by the Virginia Senate. In June of 2012, Judge Thorne-Begland became Virginia’s first openly LGBT judge when he was appointed on an interim basis by the judges of the Richmond Circuit Court after the legislature rejected his nomination.

WTVR Richmond’s coverage of the swearing-in ceremony includes links to stories that trace the bumpy road from Judge Thorne-Begland’s initial nomination by Virginia Governor Robert F. McDonnell to his ultimate confirmation.