Honorees
This year, the recipients of our Thaddeus Stevens Award are our anonymous young clients and their parents, who are courageously standing up to oppose the federal government’s demand for their private medical records, and Ballard Spahr, our pro bono co-counsel in this important fight.
When the Department of Justice issued broad subpoenas seeking the deeply personal medical records of young people who had received gender-affirming care, these families made the extraordinary decision to challenge the government’s demands in court. Together, we won landmark court victories preventing the government from obtaining these records—reaffirming that deeply personal medical information deserves the highest level of privacy.
Although the clients we honor this year cannot join us on stage and their names will remain confidential, their courage has had a profound impact. They stepped forward at a moment of fear and uncertainty—not for recognition, but to protect their children, and their communities.
Ballard Spahr’s pro bono representation was instrumental in achieving these victories. Its partnership exemplifies the legal profession’s highest ideals and the power of pro bono advocacy to safeguard fundamental rights.
Together, these honorees embody the courage, resilience, and pursuit of justice that the Thaddeus Stevens Award recognizes.
Master of Ceremonies
David Dye
David Dye is an iconic Philadelphia DJ and radio personality best known as the host of Dave’s World and the founding host of World Cafe. A fixture in Philadelphia radio for decades, Dye was a familiar voice on WMMR in 1970s and on WIOQ in the 1980s before bringing his enthusiasm for music to WXPN, the public radio service of the University of Pennsylvania. He also was a presence in the DJ booth all around the city, from his Funky Friday dance parties to his Friday Flashback nights at Chestnut Cabaret in West Philly. Renowned for his deep musical knowledge and warm interview style, he has been recognized by the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia and was recently inducted into the Philadelphia Music Alliance Walk of Fame.
