COMMITTEE NEWS
POWER OF PRIDE - BIRMINGHAM PRIDE 2021 Birmingham Pride is taking place on 25th September 2021 and I could not be happier writes Tim Evans, Chair of Birmingham Law Society’s LGBTQ+ subcommittee and Legal Director of Gowling WLG (UK) LLP.
I personally feel that, over the last eighteen months, with national lockdowns and working from home, progression for equality and acceptance of LGBTQ+ lawyers has paused (if not gone backwards). We already know that LGBTQ+ lawyers, who are not 'out' in the workplace, are more likely to leave their job. We also know that many LGBTQ+ lawyers are still not comfortable with bringing their full selves to work, which can hold back careers and cause mental health problems. Worse still, many lesbian, gay, bi, trans and non-binary people experience bullying and harassment in the workplace. With lockdown restrictions in place, some LGBTQ+ lawyers will have lost the opportunity to be proud at work and continue to be confident and visible role models. Others will have lost their confidence to come out, as remote working has broken connections and, for new colleagues joining a new team online, prevented the connections and comfortable environments in which to come out to their new employers. We also need to consider those LGBTQ+ lawyers who have been forced to work from home without access to their support systems and safe spaces: some will experience discrimination and abuse in their home due to being LGBTQ+. Pride promotes an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere for all. Birmingham Pride is a reminder of what has been achieved but is also a space to advocate for the work we need to do. This is particularly important for those who may not otherwise have felt able to reach out and connect – particularly so during the last eighteen months. More than ever, this is a time to be inclusive, 18 www.birminghamlawsociety.co.uk
have a sense of community and think about others. This is why I am looking forward to Birmingham Pride 2021, more so than any other. Gowling WLG has had a float at the last three Birmingham Pride events, and we will be there again for our fourth event. Please do keep an eye out for us and give us a wave. Gowling WLG has had an internal network (Openhouse) for many years and was named in the Stonewall Top 100 alongside 16 law firms represented in the Top 100 in a marked success for the legal sector, with the industry named one of the most LGBT+ friendly in 2019. Whether you are LGBTQ+ or an Ally, Birmingham Pride is a time for celebration, remembrance, love and support; the march is one of the most important aspects of the Birmingham Pride weekend. Everyone is welcome to be part of the community and to enjoy the excitement of the day, but also to
listen to those voices marching and listen to their messages. Birmingham Law Society is again supporting Birmingham Pride this year, being part of the march and inviting as many members as possible to join them for what will, no doubt, be an uplifting and empowering day. Birmingham Law Society's Equality and Diversity Committee meets regularly to discuss how Birmingham Law Society and the committee can help LGBTQ+ lawyers and the Birmingham law profession build an inclusive environment. Please feel free to contact either me, or the EDI Committee chair, Karen Bailey (karen@baileywright.com) if you are interested in joining the LGBTQ+ sub-committee. Happy Birmingham Pride 2021.
