Pride in London takes place from 23 to 29 June 2013. On Saturday 29 June, members of the Law Society, Bar Council, Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx), Interlaw Diversity Forum for LGBT Networks (InterLaw Diversity Forum), Bar Lesbian and Gay Group (BLAGG) and the Junior Lawyers Division will once again process through the streets of London.
We will be celebrating Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Trans (LGBT) diversity in the legal profession under the banner 'Equality under the Law' and promoting the message 'Lawyers extending and defending LGBT rights.'
Register to march
To register to march for equality with the legal sector in the PRIDE in London Parade please email legalpride@lawsociety.org.uk. We will provide banners and t-shirts for those marching.
Pre-parade networking drinks - Friday 28 June
Pre-Pride drinks will be held at the Law Society Offices at 113 Chancery Lane on Friday 28th June from 18:00 until 20:00. Please RSVP via email to legalpride@lawsociety.org.uk
Arrangements for the march
This year, the official meeting point for the legal sector will be Chiltern Street at 12:00. The post-march party at Walkers of Whitehall starts immediately after the parade ends, with ample opportunity for networking and socialising.
Equality under the Law: Lawyers defending and extending LGBT rights
Equality for all under the law is a principle which the legal sector as a whole supports and works to promote. Lawyers, through the work they do on behalf of their clients, are advocates of equal rights for all, whether that be in supporting equality in marriage for same sex couples or representing those who face discrimination of any kind.
This year, lawyers will be marching together to highlight both the progress that has been made on LGBT rights and the message that the work is not finished, more still needs to be done.
Progress
The last 40 years has seen huge leaps in terms of LGBT progress covering everything from the removal of Section 28 to Civil Partnerships and now the right to marry for gay couples. But, there are constant reminders all around us of the work still to be done and how we can’t be too complacent about equality achievements. A recent EU survey uncovered that a quarter of LGBT+ people have been subjected to attacks or violent threats in the past five years. (Source: ILGA-Europe)
Legal Aid Cuts
From 1 April 2013 The Legal Aid Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act brought in substantial cuts to the legal aid system. This effects most private law family disputes (except where there is domestic abuse), welfare benefits, some housing and debt, employment, non-asylum immigration and most clinical negligence cases, and help for debt, special educational needs and discrimination law is limited to telephone advice lines.
Hundreds of thousands of people with family and housing law problems will no longer have access to free legal advice under this act and those who have suffered discrimination will only be able to get face to face legal advice in exceptional circumstances. This will impact the LGBT community as LGBT couples who would normally be eligible for legal aid in family matters may not be eligible any more and LGBT asylum seekers may have to wait at least 12 months to be eligible for legal aid.
Other issues lawyers are fighting for…
- Immigration and Asylum. There are significant issues for LGBT asylum seekers, which include humiliation at the hands of the UK Border Agency (UKBA) and the courts resulting from issues ranging from poor training to lack of understanding of LGBT identities, issues and needs. Access the podcast.
- Access to Goods and Services. While legal protections are in place, there is still work to be done to ensure that LGBT people have full and free access to all goods and services. An overview of the legal framework can be found in Stonewall’s publication 'The Colour of Your Money.' Lawyers and the courts can help assert rights where they are illegally denied by businesses or individuals, such as in the famous bed and breakfast case in Berkshire widely covered by the media.
- Inheritance. LGBT equality issues still need to be addressed in wills and probate through a recognition that civil partnerships revoke existing wills so new wills are needed and the interaction of LGBT issues and ethnic or religious issues e.g. Sharia law v English law.
- Housing. Stonewall research has indicated that some lesbian, gay and bisexual people may have difficulties accessing housing and experience homophobia and harassment in and around their homes. A recent case in the Isle of Man covered by The Guardian in May 2013 highlights this issue.
- Homeless and At Risk Youth. The Albert Kennedy Trust has seen a 40 percent increase in homeless and at risk LGBT youth turn to them in the last year. The LGBT legal community has been volunteering and fundraising to assist this work.
Related Event:
InterLaw Diversity Forum Panel: Beyond Legal Rights
Thursday 27 June, 18:30, hosted by CMS Cameron McKenna
Join the InterLaw Diversity Forum first annual official PRIDE in London event. The InterLaw Diversity Forum has assembled a lively and distinguished panel to look at what needs to be done to secure real equality for LGBT+ people now that a comprehensive legal framework has been achieved. This will explore a range of issues which impact the LGBT+ community from anti-violence, homeless and at risk youth, anti-LGBT+ bullying, immigration equality and asylum, age, family and more.
Special Guest Speakers:
- Tim Hailes, Managing Director and Associate General Counsel, JP Morgan and Alderman, City of London
- Fiona Woolf, Future Lord Mayor of London and Partner, CMS Cameron McKenna
A world class panel including:
- Peter Tatchell, the UK's most high profile and outspoken campaigner for equality
- Kath Gillespie Sells, disability and LGBT rights campaigner and founder of REGARD, a national, volunteer led LGBT disability charity
- Tim Sigsworth, Chief Executive of the Albert Kennedy Trust
- S Chelvan, trailblazing immigration barrister specialising in issues facing LGBT+ asylum seekers and immigrants
- Constable Martin Coughlan, LGBT Liaison Officer, Metropolitan Police
Panel chair:
Daniel Winterfeldt, Head of International Capital Markets, CMS Cameron McKenna and Founder and Co-Chair, InterLaw Diversity Forum
Date: Thursday 27 June, 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm
Venue: CMS Cameron McKenna, Mitre House, 160 Aldersgate Street EC1A 4 DD
Please RSVP by emailing admin@interlawdiversityforum.org. Places are free but spaces are limited.
In association with: