Last week, Maite Oronoz Rodriguez was nominated by Governor Alejandro García Padilla for a seat in Puerto Rico’s Supreme Court, and in her thank you speech she thanked her partner.

‘Thank you for your unconditional support through the hardest of times, and through the best of times, like today… I wouldn’t be here without you,’

Gina Mendez Miro.

Maite Oronoz Rodriguez and her partner are especially successful and high-profile. Oronoz Rodriguez is the director of legal affairs for San Juan and Mendez Miro is chief of staff for Puerto Rico Senate President Eduardo Bhatia.

Oronoz Rodriguez went on to describe herself as an open book.

‘I am conscious of the enormous responsibility that has come to me. ‘I congratulate, thank and celebrate Maite and Gina for living openly their love, for loving their homeland so much and for loving themselves openly,’ he said. Today we take a historic step in the right direction that demonstrates that Puerto Rico is for all of us. The governor has made an excellent nomination.’

Maite Oronoz Rodriguez

Her partner agreed with these words.

‘The governor has exercised his constitutional knowledge, and named someone who he understands is the best candidate. And I agree with him,’

Mendez Miro.

The nomination is another step in LGBT equality Puerto Rico has seen since Alejandro Garcia Padilla assumed office in January 2013.

He has signed four pro-gay bills into law so far.

In May 2013, Garcia Padilla passed bills to protect gay people from discrimination and domestic violence.