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Jerry Birdwell

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American judge
Jerry R. Birdwell
Mayor of South Lake Tahoe, California
In office
2008–2009
Succeeded byKathay Lovell
Judge of Dallas County's 195th Judicial District Court
In office
May 29, 1992 – December 31, 1992
Appointed byAnn Richards
Preceded byJoe Kendell
Succeeded byJohn R. Nelms
Personal details
Alma materBaylor University (BA, JD)

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.

Early life and education

Birdwell received a B.A. from Baylor University and a J.D. from Baylor Law School.

Judicial service

On May 22, 1992, Governor Ann Richards appointed Birdwell to be judge of Dallas County's 195th Judicial District Court. 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. Birdwell took office on May 29, 1992, but was defeated for reelection later that year by John R. Nelms after a homophobic campaign. Birdwell left office on December 31, 1992.

Political career

In 2006, Birdwell began a four-year term on the city council of South Lake Tahoe, California. On December 9, 2008, Birdwell was elected to serve a one-year term as mayor of South Lake Tahoe.

See also

References

  1. ^ 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).
  2. "Pete Buttigieg Leaves the 2020 Democratic Primary a Star". Time. Retrieved 2022-03-27.
  3. Jerry R. Birdwell - Lawyer Profile, Martindale.
  4. ^ 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).
  5. Cutbirth, Joe (1992-06-03). "Gay judge's appointment creates stir". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. pp. 7, 17. Retrieved 2022-03-27.
  6. Buhrke, R. (1996). A Matter of Justice: Lesbians and Gay Men in Law Enforcement. United States: Taylor & Francis.
  7. Moran, Leslie J. "Judicial diversity and the challenge of sexuality: Some preliminary findings." Sydney L. Rev. 28 (2006): 565.
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