California judges were asked to disclose their sexual preferences in a state-sanctioned survey that critics argue will promote the appointment of more homosexuals to the bench, according to
Fox News.
The questionnaire asks magistrates, 40 percent of whom declined to answer, whether they identify as a man or a woman — and whether they are gay.
Opponents of the move, under the Judicial Applicant and Appointment Demographics Inclusion Act, insist that the questions, much like inquiring about religious preference, are irrelevant to a judge’s legal qualifications and constitute an invasion of privacy.
"This legislation is a blatant attempt by liberal activists to pack the court with judges to give them things like homosexual marriage, things they otherwise would not be able to achieve at the ballot box," said Brad Dacus, president of the Pacific Justice Institute in Sacramento.
“This is an outrageous violation of the total concept of blind justice and equality for all. We should work hard to oppose bias on the bench and off the bench when it comes to the selection of judges and the criteria by which they are evaluated. That’s what true equality is all about, and that’s what people want when it comes to presiding over their cases in a courtroom.”
The Judicial Applicant Data Report culls demographic information on the 1,600 trial court judges in The Golden State, along with a number of justices on the appeals and Supreme Court. Just over 1 percent of judges who responded to the question of sexual orientation said they are gay or transgender.
The voluntary online survey, conducted by the Administrative Office of the Courts, recently released data by jurisdiction, keeping all names anonymous.
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