Jerry R. Birdwell was the former mayor of South Lake Tahoe, California and judge of Dallas County's 195th Judicial District Court. Birdwell was the first openly gay judge appointed in Texas.[1][2]
Jerry R. Birdwell | |
|---|---|
| Mayor of South Lake Tahoe, California | |
| In office 2008–2009 | |
| Succeeded by | Kathay Lovell |
| Judge of Dallas County's 195th Judicial District Court | |
| In office May 29, 1992 – December 31, 1992 | |
| Appointed by | Ann Richards |
| Preceded by | Joe Kendell |
| Succeeded by | John R. Nelms |
| Personal details | |
| Alma mater | Baylor University (BA, JD) |
Early life and education
editBirdwell received a B.A. from Baylor University and a J.D. from Baylor Law School.[3]
Judicial service
editOn May 22, 1992, Governor Ann Richards appointed Birdwell to be judge of Dallas County's 195th Judicial District Court.[1][4] She claimed that his sexual orientation was not a factor in his appointment, but gay rights groups promoted his appointment as a historical milestone, while Republican politicians called it a "slap in the face" to voters.[5] Birdwell took office on May 29, 1992, but was defeated for reelection later that year by John R. Nelms[4][6] after a homophobic campaign.[7] Birdwell left office on December 31, 1992.[4]
Political career
editIn 2006, Birdwell began a four-year term on the city council of South Lake Tahoe, California.[1] On December 9, 2008, Birdwell was elected to serve a one-year term as mayor of South Lake Tahoe.[1]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d Tammye Nash, Birdwell, state's 1st gay judge, now mayor of S. Lake Tahoe Archived 2012-03-13 at the Wayback Machine, Dallas Voice (December 21, 2008).
- ^ "Pete Buttigieg Leaves the 2020 Democratic Primary a Star". Time. Retrieved 2022-03-27.
- ^ Jerry R. Birdwell - Lawyer Profile, Martindale.
- ^ a b c Historical List of Elected Officials Dallas County, 1846 - Present Archived 2016-03-03 at the Wayback Machine District Clerk's Office, Dallas County, Texas (February 2010).
- ^ Cutbirth, Joe (1992-06-03). "Gay judge's appointment creates stir". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. pp. 7, 17. Retrieved 2022-03-27.
- ^ Buhrke, R. (1996). A Matter of Justice: Lesbians and Gay Men in Law Enforcement. United States: Taylor & Francis.
- ^ Moran, Leslie J. "Judicial diversity and the challenge of sexuality: Some preliminary findings." Sydney L. Rev. 28 (2006): 565.