June is unofficially recognized as Pride month, a time to celebrate the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) communities. It is held in June to commemorate the anniversary of the Stonewall Rebellion in New York City on June 28, 1969, which is widely considered the birth of the modern LGBTQ movement. At the time, it was common for police to raid bars that catered to LGBTQ patrons. On that night, patrons of the Stonewall Inn fought back, igniting a wave of a

In criminal cases, if a defendant is found guilty of a crime, they are given an opportunity to present evidence before the judge at sentencing. This often comes in the form of letters of support or testimony from friends, family or colleagues. It is an integral part of our criminal justice system, and one that gives defendants an opportunity to present mitigating factors in their case. During this phase, victims also have the opportunity to present an impact statement that

In 2018, we have seen substantial change when it comes to how allegations of sexual harassment and assault are handled. Unfortunately, far too many people continue to doubt victims, and may even openly blame and attack victims for their own abuse. While we have made considerable strides, there is much work to do — particularly when it comes to victim-blaming. One of the most pervasive myths surrounding sexual harassment and assault is that if a woman or girl is dressed a ce