Obama nominates openly lesbian commissioner

President Barack Obama announced Sept. 14 that he is nominating Chai R. Feldblum, a Professor of Law at the Georgetown University Law Center, for Commissioner of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

"This group brings a dedication and expertise in their fields that will serve this administration and the American people well," President Obama said in a public statement, referring to Feldblum as well as nominees for other positions.

"As we work to advance equal rights, keep our nation safe, and put our country back on a path to prosperity, I look forward to working with these fine individuals in the months and years ahead," the President said.

Feldblum, a leading expert on the Employment Nondiscrimination Act (ENDA), also has extensive experience with HIV/AIDS-related law. She served as Legislative Counsel to the AIDS Project of the American Civil Liberties Union, helped draft the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and aided in the passage of the ADA Amendments Act of 2008.

Feldblum also founded the Georgetown University Law Center's Legislation and Administrative Clinic, a program that encourages students to become legislative lawyers. She received her J.D. from Harvard Law School and B.A. from Barnard College.