61 LGBTQ orgs call for delay on Kavanaugh hearing

WASHINGTON — More than 60 LGBTQ organizations from across the country have called on the Senate Judiciary to delay hearings on Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.

In an open letter, the organizations want the hearings delayed to allow an investigation of the sexual assault allegations against Kavanaugh. The participating organizations include Equality Illinois and LGBTQ organizations from Iowa, Missouri and Michigan, as well as national organizations like Lambda Legal, GLAAD, the National Center for Lesbian Rights, and the National Center for Transgender Equality.

From the letter:

We, the undersigned 61 national, state and local advocacy organizations, representing the interests of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people and everyone living with HIV, write to urge the Senate Judiciary Committee to postpone the upcoming hearing on the confirmation of Brett M. Kavanaugh to a seat on the United States Supreme Court so that a fair and appropriate investigation can take place regarding the detailed and credible allegations of sexual assault made by Professor Christine Blasey Ford. Scheduling a hearing on Monday allows no time for any such investigation to occur, undermining the credibility of the entire exercise. Moving ahead on such an artificially expedited schedule will do lasting and irreparable damage to the legitimacy of not only the United States Senate but the Supreme Court as well.

In addition to the substantive concerns cited in our July 31, 2018 letter, these new charges are serious and potentially disqualifying for any person being considered for a position of authority and trust. This is particularly so for someone nominated to serve on the nation’s highest court, thus making the need for a fair and independent investigation even more critical.

Nearly twenty-seven years ago, Professor Anita Hill was vilified for coming forward to tell her story. But even she was given a fuller hearing than what is currently being contemplated here. This is simply unacceptable. We urge the Senate not to repeat the grave mistakes of the past when it comes to addressing serious allegations of sexual misconduct by a nominee to the Supreme Court.

“We demand this nomination be halted until these serious sexual assault allegations can be properly and thoroughly investigated by both the Senate and by appropriate authorities,” said Sharon McGowan, Lambda legal chief strategy officer and legal director. “Any failure to do so will lead to lasting and potentially irreparable damage to the credibility of the highest court in the land as well as to the United States Senate.”