Lambda Legal Executive Director Kevin Cathcart sent a letter to President-elect Barack Obama and the Senate Judiciary Committee, asking him to consider appointing federal judges who will be sensitive to the LGBT community.

“In the coming years, a number of key issues that significantly impact the gay community are likely to arise in the federal courts,” said Cathcart, “The foremost consideration in nominating federal judges should be their commitment to rendering decisions impartially.”

“It is no secret that the Bush Administration’s goal was to pack the federal courts at all levels with arch-conservative judges who would be unfriendly to the vigorous protection of civil rights — not only for gay people, but for everyone,” said Cathcart.

During his two terms, President Bush appointed 326 judges to the federal bench. According to Catcart, Obama will have 54 vacancies to fill to start.