Texas County’s First “Openly-Gay” Judge BANNED from Bench for Life

The first “openly LGBT” judge in Bexar County, Texas has just been banned from ever serving on the bench again over misconduct complaints.

I know, shocking, isn’t it?

Rosie Speedlin-Gonzalez (yes, that’s her real name) has officially resigned and received a lifetime ban from judicial service due to a bizarre incident that happened a couple years ago.

Back in December 2024, this judge illegally ordered an attorney to be detained and handcuffed in court after an argument mid-hearing.

She opted to voluntarily resign and accept the ban in lieu of facing criminal charges for unlawful restraint.

Here are the details:

“Forever disqualified from judicial service in the State of Texas.”

Bexar County Judge Rosie Speedlin-Gonzalez, the county’s first openly LGBT judge, has resigned and accepted a LIFETIME BAN from the bench.

This comes after serious misconduct complaints, most notably the… pic.twitter.com/tskNEoWQNE

— Derrick Evans (@DerrickEvans4WV) May 6, 2026

“Forever disqualified from judicial service in the State of Texas.”

Bexar County Judge Rosie Speedlin-Gonzalez, the county’s first openly LGBT judge, has resigned and accepted a LIFETIME BAN from the bench.

This comes after serious misconduct complaints, most notably the December 2024 incident where she had a defense attorney handcuffed mid-hearing.

Criminal charges were dropped in exchange for the permanent disqualification.

🚨 GREAT NEWS! The first openly gay judge in Bexar County, TX has been BANNED FOREVER from the bench after she had an attorney erroneous HANDCUFFED in court

This same judge was trying to fly the gay flag in court.

Good riddance. pic.twitter.com/lZtdNJIFfA

— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) May 7, 2026

The Christian Post shared more details on the courtroom incident that led to Speedlin-Gonzalez getting a permanent ban from the bench:

Speedlin-Gonzalez faced charges of unlawful restraint by a peace officer (a second-degree felony) and official oppression (a Class A misdemeanor) after she allegedly ordered defense attorney Elizabeth Russell to be handcuffed and placed in the jury box during a heated exchange.

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On Monday, a special prosecutor asked the court to dismiss the indictment against Speedlin-Gonzalez “in the interest of justice.”

According to a transcript of the Dec. 17, 2024, hearing, the argument escalated when Speedlin-Gonzalez accused Russell of coaching her client. When Russell objected, the judge replied, “It’s on the record. You can object all you want, Ms. Russell.” Speedlin-Gonzalez then instructed a bailiff: “Take her into custody and put her in the (jury) box. We are not having this hearing this way.”

The Commission suspended Speedlin-Gonzalez without pay in January following her indictment. The agreement references the handcuffing incident and other complaints, including allegations of unprofessional demeanor, delays in handling habeas corpus petitions, and directing court staff to have no contact with former employees.

In return for her resignation, the commission agreed not to pursue further disciplinary action. The document states Speedlin-Gonzalez “does not admit guilt, fault or liability.”

Having a lawyer handcuffed in court may have been the final nail in the coffin for this woke LGBT judge’s career.

But, this isn’t the only time Speedlin-Gonzalez has gotten into trouble during her (brief) stint as a judge.

She has been at the center of several controversies going back several years.

Grok broke them down:

She faced multiple controversies during her tenure, culminating in her resignation in April 2026, a lifetime ban from judicial service in Texas, and the dismissal of criminal charges. She did not admit guilt in the resolution. Here is a summary of the main issues, in roughly chronological order:

1. Pride Flag in Courtroom and Social Media Posts (circa 2019–2022)

• She displayed a rainbow Pride flag in her courtroom and posted photos/congratulations to winning attorneys (with their biographical info) on her professional judicial Facebook page after cases.
• The Texas Commission on Judicial Conduct found violations of judicial conduct canons, issuing a public warning (for social media) and a private warning (for the flag, citing appearance of partisan bias). She was ordered to receive additional education.
• A special court of review later dismissed the sanctions in 2023.

2. Loaded Handgun at Airport (September 2022)

• TSA found a loaded handgun (with a round chambered and magazine inserted) in her carry-on luggage at San Antonio International Airport.
• She called it a “stupid oversight,” said she began carrying after receiving threats post-election, and paid a $2,475 civil penalty. She was allowed to continue her flight after handing off the gun.

3. Reflejo Court / Erratic Behavior and Retaliation Allegations (2025)

• Staff and Partner Complaints: Former facilitators and care managers (e.g., Cynthia Garcia and Crystal Ochoa) accused her of increasingly aggressive, unprofessional, and erratic behavior toward defendants in the trauma-informed treatment court. Examples included berating participants (e.g., using profanity toward a young homeless defendant, inappropriate comments to a female defendant about a pregnancy scare).
• No-Contact Order: In late September 2025, she issued an email directive prohibiting court staff from contacting former team members and employees who had raised concerns or left. Violations could lead to removal from the team. Critics called this retaliation.
• Other Issues: Allegations of unprofessional demeanor toward defendants, delays in handling habeas corpus petitions and bond modifications, and overall shifts that undermined the program’s therapeutic goals.

4. Handcuffing Attorney Elizabeth Russell (December 17, 2024)

• This was the most high-profile incident. During a probation revocation hearing in a domestic violence case, Speedlin Gonzalez accused defense attorney Elizabeth Russell of coaching her client on a plea.
• The argument escalated (both raising voices, talking over each other). The judge ordered a bailiff to handcuff Russell and place her in the jury box, holding her briefly before releasing her after Russell agreed to conduct herself “professionally.”
• Russell filed a complaint alleging official oppression and unlawful restraint. A transcript captured the exchange.

5. Criminal Indictment, Suspension, Election Loss, and Resignation (2026)

• In January 2026, a grand jury indicted her on a second-degree felony (unlawful restraint by a peace officer/judge) and a Class A misdemeanor (official oppression).
• The State Commission on Judicial Conduct suspended her without pay.
• She lost her reelection bid in the March 2026 Democratic primary.
• In April 2026, she agreed to resign immediately and accept a lifetime ban from serving as a judge (or performing judicial duties) in Texas. In exchange, the Commission dropped further proceedings, and the special prosecutor dismissed the criminal charges “in the interest of justice” after consulting the victim (Russell).

Speedlin-Gonzalez’s judge days is over.

But, hey, at least she has a bright future ahead of her officiating weddings!

KSAT noted:

An order released by the commission Monday afternoon states Speedlin Gonzalez is forever disqualified from serving as a judge, being elected or appointed to a judicial position or performing any judicial duties.

Speedlin Gonzalez can still perform wedding duties, as long as she does not wear a robe or refer in any way to having a judicial authority or function.

Good riddance!

Woke DEI hires do not belong in our courts.

Take a look at some of these responses from folks on X:

One down. Many many more to go. These activist judges are a plague.

— ThePipSquee (@SqueePip) May 7, 2026

She should never have gotten elected, or appointed to the bench. She reeks of DEI.

— RiversDaughter (@Goldberry1965) May 7, 2026

We have a major problem with activists masquerading as Judges. Good move.

— Kate (@kate_p45) May 7, 2026