Remembering Sharon Lubinski During this Pride Month

Earlier this year, the United States Marshals Service grieved the loss of a trailblazer and a pioneer for change. Sharon Lubinski was no stranger to breaking glass ceilings and revolutionizing law enforcement at the state and federal level. She was not only Minnesota’s first female marshal, but she was also the first openly lesbian U.S. marshal. 

During this Pride Month, it is important to highlight the members of the LGBTQ+ community who have served our country through the U.S. Marshal Service and law enforcement at large.

Lubinski’s career in law enforcement first began in the Dane County Sherriff’s Office in Wisconsin and spanned over four decades.

During her time at the Minneapolis Police Department, Lubinski set high expectations for future law enforcement that centered on sound character, strong moral values and integrity. This is also where Lubinski came out as a lesbian in 1993 to both her leaders and colleagues after a string of murders targeting gay men in Minneapolis. 

After seeing how the police and the gay community struggled to work together, Lubinski knew it was necessary to no longer hide her identity and cease living a double life. 

She stated to the Star Tribune in Minneapolis, “If I am going to be a real person and if I’m ever going to make real change as a cop, I have to do it as a lesbian cop,” she continued, “I can no longer justify keeping this to myself.” 

In 2010, President Barack Obama selected Lubinski to serve a United States Marshal for the District of Minnesota, making her a member of the nation’s highest-level female law enforcement officials. However, this appointment was also a historical moment, as Marshal Lubinski was now the first openly lesbian U.S. Marshal. 

She stood out as a marshal not only for her commitment to making our country safer but also by devoting efforts to commit to the U.S. Marshals Service's original goal–protecting judges. 

Marshal Ramona Dohman, successor to Marshal Lubinski, reflected on Marshal Lubinski’s time as marshal and credits her for the precedent of meeting with all law enforcement agents set to be deputized and going to every corner of Minnesota to build the connections that she believed were the key to successful law enforcement.

As former colleagues reflect on their time working alongside Marshal Lubinski, enumeration of their praises is difficult. Retired Minneapolis Police Department Officer Greg Hestness recalls to the Star Tribune that troops everywhere held Marshal Lubinski in high regard.

Hestness stated, “When you’re in a position where you are setting the tone and challenging stereotypes, to still be respected by the troops is a sign of a lot of leadership.” 

Marshal Dohman remembers Marshal Lubinski as a role model on her own law enforcement journey and described her as unapologetic and humble. 

She continued to say, “Marshal Lubinski was never the loudest in the room, but she was definitely the most brilliant.” 

Marshal Lubinski paved the way for future marshals. She exemplified that gender and sexuality do not have to be hinderances to one’s performance in law enforcement, but assets. 

As we remember Marshal Lubinski this Pride Month, we should reflect on Judge John R. Tunheim’s quote about Marshal Lubinski to the Star Tribune, “Not only was she the best female law enforcement leader in America, she simply was one of the best law enforcement leaders in America, period.”