The US senate confirmed openly gay Asian-American, Pamela Ki Mai Chen, to the federal bench for a seat on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York.

Chen, who is a Brooklyn prosecutor, will be the first openly gay Asian American on the federal bench.

She is currently working as the chief of the civil rights section in the U.S. attorney’s office for the Eastern District of New York.

According to The Washington Blade, Chen’s parents were immigrants from China.

Chen, who was elected yesterday evening (4 March), was recommended the nomination to Obama by senator Chuck Schumer who stated: ‘Ms. Chen’s wealth of experience and devotion to public service make it clear that she will be an excellent judge.

‘Ms. Chen has proven time and again that she is a leader and a pioneer in the legal field. I have every confidence that she will serve her jurisdiction well’.

Obama stated at Chen’s nomination: ‘I am proud to nominate this outstanding candidate to serve on the United States District Court bench. Pamela Chen has a long and distinguished record of service, and I am confident she will serve on the federal bench with distinction’.

Michael Cole-Schwartz, a spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign, welcomed the senate’s decision to add LGBT representation to the federal bench: ‘We congratulate Judge Chen on a much deserved achievement and thank the White House and Senate for their continued commitment to nominating and confirming well-qualified, diverse individuals’.