ISRAEL NAMES FIRST GAY JUDGE

A gay lawyer and activist has made history by being appointed Israel’s first openly gay judge.

Dori Spivak, who is a graduate of Harvard university and the deputy director of Tel Aviv University’s law clinics, was made a judge of the Tel Aviv Labour Court on Sunday.

Spivak (43) was previously the chairman of the Association for Civil Rights Israel and remains a legal advisor to the Israeli Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Association.

“I don’t think sexual preferences had anything to do with this appointment,” his partner of 14 years and fellow faculty member, Dr. Yishai Blank, told Ynetnews.

He added: “It’s a happy occasion for us personally and also for the State. I’m not objective, of course, but I believe he is deserving in light of his skills, capabilities and his commitment to justice and the law.”