Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight 20th ANNIVERSARY 2004-2024
Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight 20th ANNIVERSARY 2004-2024
U

Contact Us

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee Statement on Pride Month

June 2024

As we begin Pride Month, we are reminded of the profound significance of this annual celebration. Pride Month is not only a time to commemorate the hard-fought progress in the movement for LGBTQ+ rights, it also serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggle for equality and justice.

Pride Month is rooted in the Stonewall Riots, a series of demonstrations by members of the LGBTQ+ community in response to a police raid at the Stonewall Inn in New York City on June 28, 1969. Led predominantly by transgender women of color, including Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, the riots marked a turning point in the LGBTQ+ rights movement, galvanizing activists and sparking a wave of advocacy across the United States. In the years following the Stonewall Riots, LGBTQ+ individuals and their allies organized marches, protests, and celebrations in June to commemorate the anniversary of the riots, laying the foundation for what would become known as Pride Month.

The first official Pride Month was established in 1970 to celebrate LGBTQ+ visibility, resilience, and liberation. Since then, Pride Month has grown into a global movement, with events held in cities around the world to promote LGBTQ+ rights, raise awareness of issues facing the community, and foster a sense of solidarity and belonging. Over the decades, Pride Month has evolved to encompass a diverse array of activities. From parades, to educational workshops, to advocacy campaigns, all aimed at advancing LGBTQ+ equality and celebrating the rich diversity of the community.

During Pride Month, we recognize the invaluable contributions that LGBTQ+ individuals have made across every field, from arts and culture to science, politics, and beyond. Throughout history, LGBTQ+ individuals have courageously challenged norms and barriers, pushed boundaries and driven progress. Figures like Harvey Milk, the first openly gay elected official in California, paved the way for LGBTQ+ representation in politics, while trailblazers like Bayard Rustin, an openly gay civil rights leader, played instrumental roles in the fight for racial equality alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. LGBTQ+ artists and writers such as Audre Lorde, James Baldwin, and RuPaul have left indelible marks on American culture, shaping discourse and challenging stereotypes. The contributions of LGBTQ+ people are woven into the tapestry of American history, enriching our society and inspiring future generations to strive for inclusivity, equality, and acceptance.

Transgender Rights Continue to Be Targeted

Despite the progress made by LGBTQ+ advocates, work remains. In last year’s Pride Month statement, we warned of the proliferation of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation around the country. Unfortunately, this warning remains as relevant as ever. The dramatic rise in anti-LGBTQ+ legislation that began last year has only intensified, with numerous states enacting discriminatory laws targeting transgender individuals’ rights to healthcare, participation in sports, and access to public facilities. So far, 489 bills have been introduced in state and federal legislatures. Each of these bills represents an attack on our families, friends, and community. These laws not only undermine the dignity and humanity of LGBTQ+ individuals but also perpetuate harmful stereotypes and contribute to a climate of fear and intolerance.

This toxic environment has particularly harmed LGBTQ+ students and youth. Incidents of anti-LGBTQ+ hate crimes in schools have risen sharply in recent years, with the most dramatic increases occurring in states that have passed laws targeting LGBTQ+ students. As we observe Pride Month, let us remember Nex Benedict, a nonbinary student who was yet another victim of these hateful anti-LGBTQ+ attacks. Additionally, we must recognize the impact that opponents of equality have had in shaping popular opinion of LGBTQ+ rights. Recent polls have shown that U.S. public support for LGBTQ+ protections has fallen for the first time since 2015, despite more Americans identifying as LGBTQ+ than ever.

We Stand in Solidarity with the LGBTQ+ Community

In the face of this anti-LGBTQ+ movement, it is critical that we redouble our efforts to protect and defend the rights of the LGBTQ+ community. Whether through litigation, advocacy, or community outreach, we must remain steadfast in our commitment to challenging discriminatory practices and dismantling barriers to equality.

As members of the legal profession, we have a unique responsibility to use our skills and expertise to advocate for marginalized communities and uphold the principles of justice and fairness. During Pride Month and beyond, let us continue to stand in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community and work tirelessly toward a future where all individuals are treated with dignity, respect, and equality under the law.

On behalf of Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, Happy Pride Month!

Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight is a nationwide public interest law firm with offices in the District of Columbia, New York, California and Tennessee. See below for a list of Pride Month events in the cities where our offices are located.

Ways to Get Involved

Nashville Events

New York City Events

Palo Alto/San Francisco Events

San Diego Events

  • June 1: Pride by The Beach
  • July 13: She Fest
  • July 19: Spirit of Stonewall Rally
  • July 20: Pride 5K
  • July 20: San Diego Pride Parade
  • July 20 – 21: San Diego Pride Festival

Washington, DC Events

Submit a Contact Request Form Today

Client Testimonials

"They have given me some closure for the first time in over five years.”

- Former Client

“Forever indebted to them”

- Suzy Reingold

“This Firm has proven again and again it has the necessary talent, experience, intelligence, creativity, and resources to represent workers and whistleblowers successfully against even the country’s largest employers.”

- Lorene Schaefer, Esq., President of WinWinResolve.com and Former GC of GE Transportation

“Collectively the SHSM team represented the highest level of professionalism, integrity, and passionate care for justice that I have ever witnessed in my career.”

- David Chen, a Former Client

“Everyone I interacted with at Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight was not only accomplished and brilliant at what they do, but also good people with good values.”

- Former Client

“Each member of the Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight team shows ultimate professionalism, mastery of the law, unwavering dedication to the clients and passion for the cause. And most important to me, kindness and compassion.”

- Former Client Donna Kassman, Lead Plaintiff in KPMG Gender Discrimination Class Action

As an attorney on the defense side, I can say there is simply no one better than Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight. That view is shared by defense attorneys around the country. They outwork the other side, master the law and facts, and achieve great results.”

- Maria Hallas, Attorney and Journalist

“Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight have taken the pharmaceutical industry by storm. They are shattering the glass ceiling imposed on women by pharma’s old boys’ club.”

- Jacqueline Pena, Lead Plaintiff in The Class Action Wellens v. Daiichi

"I deeply appreciated not only [the Firm’s] astute legal counsel, but also the understanding and human touch they used at every turn. . . . As a lawyer myself, I felt privileged to have gotten the chance to work with them.”

- Female Law Partner

“I contacted SHSM because it has a stellar reputation as a champion for workplace gender equality. That reputation is well-deserved; SHSM is a deft negotiator, a voracious advocate, and – most importantly – knows how to get results.”

- Former Client and VP of a Major Technology Company

"The team at Sanford Heisler consists of great people who are not only very skillful in the legal domain, but are also wonderful human beings with the highest degree of empathy for their clients.”

- A Female Director in a Tech Company

"Thank you again to you all for representing me on this matter. You are all phenomenal. I am very grateful for your knowledge, professionalism and compassion.”

- Big Law Attorney

“The result was extraordinary.”

- Marc Thomas, Attorney and Former CEO of GE Aviation Materials

Read More Testimonials

Recognized as Law Firm of the Year

The National Law Journal Elite Trial Lawyers

Civil Rights Firm of the Year 2022
Employment Rights Firm of the Year 2021
Human Rights Firm of the Year 2021

Benchmark Litigation Labor & Employment Employee Firm Of The Year

Labor & Employment Firm of the Year
2021 & 2020

Law 360 Employment Practice Group Of The Year

Employment Practice Group of the Year
2021, 2019, 2018 & 2016