Obama Nominates Out Gay US Attorney

The White House Thursday nominated out lesbian Laura E. Duffy to serve as U.S. attorney for the southern district of California.

Duffy, who has been with the district office since 1997, is known for leading the prosecution team that brought down one of the biggest drug cartels in California. The district covers San Diego and Imperial counties.

According to The San Diego Union-Tribune, she is "well-regarded" among defense attorneys and federal prosecutors. If confirmed by the U.S. Senate, Duffy would be in charge of 120 assistant U.S. attorneys, 38 part-time special assistant U.S. attorneys, and 168 support staffers.

"We are thrilled with President Obama's nomination of Laura Duffy," Mario Guerrero, government affairs director for the LGBT group Equality California, told DC Agenda. "Her appointment as U.S. attorney is an important milestone for the LGBT community as well as an inspiration."