Paul Feinman Approved as First Openly Gay Judge on New York’s Highest Court

He fills seat left vacant by Judge Sheila Abdus-Salaam who was found dead in April. Justice Paul Feinman made history today by becoming the first openly gay judge on New York’s highest court. Feinman was nominated by Governor Andrew Cuomo to serve on the Court of Appeals and was confirmed by the state’s Republican-led Senate,