How the legal profession can be a better ally to the LGBTQ+ community

By Levon Curtis.

Reading time: four minutes

For Pride Month 2024, Levon Curtis has written an article discussing additional steps the legal profession can take to ensure that LGBTQ+ lawyers feel supported.

In 2021, the Law Society released an online survey to learn more about the experiences of LGBTQ+ legal professionals. The results of this survey can be found here. Fast forward three years later, the legal profession can still do more to foster an open environment for the LGBTQ+ community.

Workplace environment

The environment within the workplace can encourage and help the LGBTQ+ community feel welcome, whilst ensuring that colleagues remain allies. Events, community work, networking opportunities, and outreach programmes shape the environment within the workplace.

Community work can help the legal profession be better allies to the LGBTQ+ community since it will allow those who identify as LGBTQ+ to feel as if their firm or chambers are committed to helping the community. Community work can take multiple forms; for example working pro bono to provide legal assistance to those whom have faced legal issues for being part of the LGBTQ+ community. The legal profession can be a better ally by challenging homophobic, biphobic and transphobic behaviour and not charging for this service.

Encouraging employees to be part of LGBTQ+ workplace networks and hosting LGBTQ+ networking events can also better ensure that employees can have role models within the legal profession, as well as fostering a safe space for those in the LGBTQ+ community.

Outreach programmes is another a useful tool that can be used to support the LGBTQ+ community. These programmes can educate colleagues, as well as encourage and reassure aspiring lawyers that they will be accepted into the legal profession. These programmes can include, lectures, workplace experience and mentoring. For example, LGBT Great has connected 350+ Mentees and Mentors across 40+ firms, spanning 12 countries.

Read this article to find out how lawyers can be good allies: https://thestudentlawyer.com/2023/12/05/how-lawyers-can-act-as-allies-during-pride-month/

Dealing with complaints

Complaints against employees can be hard for some to do, therefore, workplaces need to encourage open conversations regarding microaggressions and jokes disguised as ‘banter’ in a professional environment. By fostering an inclusive environment and welcoming culture, it ensures that all employees can discuss biases and learn from their mistakes. Therefore, as the Pride in Law results suggest adopting an open environment rather than calling out those who use offensive language can allow those to understand why what they are saying is wrong and encourage more conversations around sexuality.

However, whilst the legal community are creating an inclusive working environment, allies can play their part by calling out homophobic, biphobic and transphobic behaviour, as and when they see it. A key way of being a good ally is by actively advocating for marginalised groups, who might feel too scared to speak up or stand up for themselves.

Read this article on the challenges LGBTQ+ lawyers face in the legal profession, and how stakeholders can support them effectively: https://thestudentlawyer.com/2024/05/11/lgbtq-rights-and-the-legal-profession-2/

Celebrate the difference

The UK has made significant progress in the recognition of the LGBTQ+ community. The legal profession should actively celebrate this progress that has been made in order to overturn the conservative history that remains deep-rooted in people’s minds. Many LGBTQ+ lawyers assist in legislation and overturning the history of aggression against the LGBTQ+ community. This should be celebrated by law firms and chambers to show that they are proud of those who are advocates on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community. 

The legal profession should recognise the benefits of a diverse workforce for the community. Diversity brings varied perspectives and enhances client representation. It’s essential for the legal profession to promote an inclusive environment where individuals can be authentic. By encouraging colleagues to embrace and celebrate their differences, firms can foster judgment-free conversations, leading to a better understanding of improved allyship.