A. Barton Hinkle on the Virginia Court Nominee Who Was Discriminated Against Because of His Sexuality

As a rule, appointments to state general district courts do not make national headlines. So the nationwide uproar that ensued last week when the Virginia General Assembly shot down the nomination of Tracy Thorne-Begland because he is gay has the look about it of a watershed moment. The question now, writes A. Barton Hinkle, is whether the lesson drawn will be narrow or broad.