LEGAL
Michael Goldman Aims for Queens Civil Court
Candidate says he was fi red from his fi rst job because of his sexual orientaiton
BY TAT BELLAMY-WALKER
Michael Goldman recalls
his fi rst job after
law school like it
was yesterday — and
that’s because he was fi red because
of his sexual orientation.
Two decades later, he is vying
to become the fi rst out gay judge
elected in Queens.
“If you had told me then that I
would ever be running in an election
for judge, being completely
open about my identity, I wouldn’t
have believed it,” Goldman told Gay
City News. “At that time, I wondered
whether I could even have a successful
career in law while being
true myself. I’m just amazed and
heartened by how far society has
come in just the last 25 years.”
Goldman, 51, is running against
Soma Syed, a Bangladeshi woman,
attorney, and activist, in the
Michael Goldman hopes to make history in his quest to become a judge in Queens.
primary race for a civil court seat
in Queens County. In April, the
Queens Chronicle reported on concerns
surrounding Syed’s views
on same-sex marriage. When the
Chronicle asked Syed about her position
on same-sex marriage, she
did not offer a yes or no answer.
Goldman said he launched his
campaign because he values serving
the community.
“You’re the one people come to
when they have disputes,” Goldman
said. “When they can’t solve
their own problems, they count on
you to make decisions within the
bounds of the law.”
Goldman has a long history
within the New York City Court
System, which has led him to work
in Manhattan’s Criminal Court
and in Queens Civil, Criminal,
and Supreme Courts. He has also
served as a court attorney, principal
law clerk, and small claims
arbitrator. Goldman, who received
his bachelor’s degree from The University
of Miami and his law and
master’s degree in mass communication
from Boston University,
is also the co-chair of the Queens
County Bar Association’s LGBTQ+
Committee.
He said that past experiences
with anti-LGBTQ discrimination
would inform his perspective in
the role.
“I understand what it means to
be discriminated against, and I
understand what it is to be treated
TWITTER/ MICHAEL GOLDMAN
disrespectfully,” Goldman said.
“That has shaped the way that I do
my job.”
If elected, he plans to boost the
“effi ciency of courthouse operations.”
The candidate has garnered
endorsements from the Jim Owles
Liberal Democratic Club and the
Lesbian and Gay Democratic Club
of Queens, among others.
In the midst of Goldman’s historic
campaign, Governor Andrew
Cuomo just nominated out gay
Judge Anthony “Tony” Cannataro
to the New York State Court of Appeals.
If confi rmed by the State
Senate, Cannataro would follow
in the footsteps of Paul Feinman,
the fi rst out gay man on the bench.
Feinman died in March.
“I think that will be a great thing
for the people of New York, certainly
a great thing for the LGBT community,”
Goldman said regarding
Cannataro’s nomination. “To see
members of our community succeeding
and advancing in their
careers — it gives me hope for the
future.”
Goldman said Feinman’s legacy
will live on through the next
generation of LGBTQ youth, and
he credited Feinman with laying
the groundwork for the “hope
that queer youth can live successful
lives and be open about
who they are.”
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