President Barack Obama on Wednesday nominated seven federal judges, including Judge William Thomas, the president's first openly gay, African-America judicial nominee.

Obama nominated Thomas to serve on the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida.

If confirmed, Thomas would be the first openly gay black man to serve as a lifetime-tenured federal judge, BuzzFeed.com reported.

“These individuals have demonstrated the talent, expertise, and fair-mindedness Americans expect and deserve from their judicial system,” Obama said of the nominees. “They also represent my continued commitment to ensure that the judiciary resembles the nation it serves. I am grateful for their willingness to serve and confident that they will apply the law with the utmost impartiality and integrity. Too many of our courtrooms stand empty. I hope the Senate will promptly consider all of my nominees and ensure justice for everyday Americans.”

According to a White House bio, Thomas has served as a Circuit Judge in Florida's Eleventh Judicial Circuit since 2005. He received his J.D. in 1994 from the Temple University School of Law and his B.A. in 1991 from Washington and Jefferson College in Washington, Pennsylvania.