Judge Mary M. Rowland came out in the 1980s, as the HIV epidemic gave rise to a renewed anti-LGBTQ movement across America.

“HIV was rampant, and fear and hate were rampant. Going to pride events was a place where I would feel safe,” said Rowland, who serves as a U.S. district judge in the Northern District of Illinois.
In recognition of LGBTQ Pride Month in June, this video profile explores Rowland’s experience coming out, her pursuit of a career in law, and the social change she has seen.

“We’ve come a long way baby,” said Rowland on the progress of the LGBTQ community. “We’re passing the baton to a wonderful younger generation and they’re not as patient as my generation was.”

Rowland said it took a while for her parents to come to terms with her sexual identity and explained how their religious beliefs brought them a tremendous amount of stress and fear for her safety.
She hopes her example encourages others to be open about their sexual and gender identity in the workplace. “[Initially] as someone who was closeted when I worked, it’s not healthy,” Rowland said. “You’re constantly lying about who you are.”

Rowland became a district judge in 2019. She previously had served as a U.S. magistrate judge for the Northern District of Illinois since 2012.

Learn about the first openly LGBTQ judge in the federal Judiciary and other Pride Month resources: https://www.uscourts.gov/about-federa...

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