Gay Judge Debate Renewed in Richmond

Leaders of Richmond’s five biggest law firms are urging the city’s Circuit Court judges to do what the General Assembly would not: Appoint an openly gay man to the bench.

“We understand that the Court is considering appointing Tracy Thorne-Begland to the District Court for the City of Richmond,” read a letter the lawyers sent Tuesday. “We believe he would be an outstanding jurist and support his appointment.”

The General Assembly last month blocked Thorne-Begland’s appointment to the low-level District Court bench.