News

We Are Proud

The Inner Temple supports LGBTQ+ members, the work of lawyers to defend LGBTQ+ rights and the LGBTQ+ community’s contribution to the legal sector.

This year, The Inner Temple has advertised to members, students and staff the opportunity to represent the Inn in our inaugural year of official participation at the London Pride Parade. The Sub-Treasurer will attend the Parade, along with other members including Masters Sadiq and Master Braun, and Acting Director of Education, Struan Campbell. They will march as part of #LegalPride under the banner of “All are equal under the law” with representatives of the Bar Council of England and Wales, the Law Society of England and Wales, the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx) and other legal organisations, to highlight the work of lawyers to defend LGBTQ+ rights and recognise the LGBTQ+ community’s contribution to the legal sector. In the future, we hope to have representation at Pride events on circuit, as well as in London.

Click here to visit the Pride in London website

Click here to visit the Bar Council press statement on #legalpride

The Inn is committed to becoming ever more LGBTQ+ inclusive. Since last year, we have:

  • Set up an Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity Sub-Committee
  • Introduced a role on the Executive Committee to represent equality, diversity and inclusion issues
  • Promoted FreeBar and The Bar Lesbian and Gay Group (BLAGG) events to members and prospective members

Later this year and moving forward, the Inn will:

  • Create specific events for prospective members focusing on LGBTQ+ experiences
  • Continue to promote opportunities for people to share their experiences
  • Enhance equality, diversity and inclusion provision as part of our Qualifying Sessions programme

The Inner Temple is committed to diversity and inclusion. I am proud to be joining our members and staff on Saturday 6 July at the Pride Parade in London in support of continuing work to defend LGBTQ+ rights and to recognise the LGBTQ+ community's contribution to the legal sector.

Greg Dorey CVO, Sub-Treasurer

I am proud that The Inner Temple champions the diversity of its members and staff. This is vital in the legal sector - the profession must reflect the public that it represents. Inclusion is essential to ensuring that the Bar is selected from the widest pool of talent from all walks of life. Our differences, be they in respect of sexual orientation, gender identity or otherwise, should be celebrated and supported, not just during Pride month but at all times.

Guy Fetherstonhaugh QC, Reader 2019

The Inner Temple's Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity Sub-Committee are working hard to break down barriers to accessing the barrister profession which are connected to protected characteristics, and to ensure that all our members, prospective members and staff, regardless of background, are treated fairly and equally. Members of the Committee are proud to be marching at this year's Pride Parade in London.

The Rt Hon Lady Justice Simler

 

The Rt Hon Lady Justice Simler, Chair of the EDI Sub-Committee

The Inner Temple is proud that its members are marching this year alongside The Bar Council, The Law Society and CILEx, as well as the Chancery Bar Association, LGBTQ+ Bar networks Freebar and BLAGG, and colleagues from across the profession, for #legalpride. This marks the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising, which started what is now the modern Pride movement. We celebrate the past fifty years of progress towards equality, but it is important not to become complacent. People throughout the world still suffer from harassment, marginalisation and oppression because of their sexual orientation or identity and it is right that the Bar should lend its voice to help address this. The Inner Temple supports diversity, inclusion and equality, because "all are equal under the law."

 

The Rt Hon Lord Hughes of Ombersley

The Rt Hon Lord Hughes of Ombersley, Treasurer 2019