GLAD Mourns the Passing and Celebrates the Legacy of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Statement of GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders Executive Director Janson Wu:

Today we have lost a phenomenal human, a pathbreaking woman, and a stalwart champion of justice.  As an attorney Ruth Bader Ginsburg blazed a trail for gender justice and the equal treatment of women, and set a shining example of what it means to advocate fiercely for those who have been left out of the protections of the law. As a Justice on our nation’s highest court for 27 years she held steadily to a conviction that our Constitution is there to protect the rights of all, especially those who are vulnerable to the whims of the powerful. She recognized the humanity and dignity of LGBTQ people long before a majority of colleagues on the Court did. And she did all of this with compassion, brilliance, and a keen sense of humor.

As our nation mourns her passing and recognizes her extraordinary legacy, we must also honor her dying wish that no move be made to replace her on the Court until the next presidential term begins.  We owe her and our country that much, for her incredible contribution to moving us closer to the nation of equals we aspire to be.