During the press conference, Jenkins thanked the governor for the nomination and spoke about the significance of him being a "first.”

Jenkins’ monumental nomination came on the same day that U.S. Supreme Court justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito denounced the 2015 Supreme Court ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges that extended marriage rights to gay couples, Law.com reported.

Jenkins gave a powerful speech in response to his nomination.

“To some young person who may be out there today, who is struggling with their identity, anyone who knows me knows that my identity as a gay man has perhaps been one of the greatest challenges of my life,” he said candidly. “It has not been easy. To those young people, I am not here in spite of the struggle; I am here because of the struggle.”

"I am not here in spite of the struggle; I am here because of the struggle."

Moving words by Justice Martin Jenkins.

Today, I was honored to nominate him to California’s highest court. He will be the first openly gay person to serve. pic.twitter.com/ODm3HFByPB

— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) October 6, 2020

“Anyone who knows me knows my identity has been as a gay man, perhaps the greatest challenge of my life,” Jenkins continued. “It has not been easy. But I want to say to those young people today who may be watching…that I am not here in spite of the struggle. I am here because of the struggle. It is deep in my character, afforded me sensibilities about the world and people who are not so willing to accept that people are able to love differently than they do."

first openly gay judge

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