Taylor Root AUS boosts D&I becoming a corporate sponsor for LGBTIQ+ Law Association – Pride in Law
Taylor Root Australia is proud to announce its recent corporate sponsorship with LGBTIQ+ Law Association, Pride in Law.
Pride in Law is a non-political, not-for-profit group, aimed at linking the LGBTIQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer and questioning) members of the legal community and their allies.
The group is dedicated to raising awareness and inclusion within the legal community both in Australia and abroad, and as Australia’s first and only LGBTIQ+ Law Association, it aims to help members through visible legal education, professional networking and advocacy in the law.
Dean Clifford-Jones, Founder of Pride in Law – „Pride in Law is dedicated to raising awareness and inclusion within the legal community both in Australia and abroad. As I remarked last year, pride is not about who you are. It is about what you represent. Equality, respect and acceptance of others (including yourself).“
Head of Taylor Root Australia Hayden Gordine said, “Diversity and inclusion has always been high on Taylor Root’s workplace agenda and supporting Pride in Law was a natural fit.”
Mr Gordine continued “We are excited to support the work Pride in Law is doing in the legal community across Australia, and as a company and as individuals we look forward to helping drive this important agenda within the legal community and legal recruitment community more broadly.”
Taylor Root are committed to fostering a safe and supportive culture, where LGBTIQ+ employees, candidate and clients feel respected, valued and supported. We foster a diverse culture that’s inclusive of everyone, regardless of race, religion, ability, gender or sexual orientation.
“We have an incredibly diverse group of people working at Taylor Root, including a number of LGBTIQ+, so being part of Pride in Law is a public symbol of support for not only those individuals in our organisation, but those that we work within the both the legal and recruitment industry,” Mr Gordine said.
Who are Pride in Law?
Pride in Law formed as an association in 2017, aimed at bringing together the LGBTIQ+ legal profession across multiple disciplines.
The creation of Pride in Law was a historic moment because it was the first time in history that an independent legal association was established for LGBTIQ+ legal professionals in Australia. Included in the association are those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, pansexual, queer or intersex – as well as their allies.
What are the Key Objectives of Pride in Law?
Pride in Law have a number of objectives to help LGBTIQ+ professionals directly and indirectly in the legal sector. Overall, the association seeks to erase homophobia, gender inequality and other affronts to individuals, families and communities by educating the legal community about LGBTIQ+ issues.
They also help members through:
- VISIBLE LEGAL EDUCATION: Organise scholarly forums to engage lawyers and their allies in current LGBTIQ+ legal debates through visible events.
- PROFESSIONAL NETWORKING: Coordinate monthly lawyer-to-lawyer networking meetings. Pride in Law holds monthly socials and quarterly legal networking events.
- ADVOCACY IN THE LAW: Collaborate with a wide range of lawyers across multiple disciplines to confront pressing issues involving the LGBTIQ+ community and their allies.
Why is it important?
Equality and freedom from discrimination are fundamental human rights that belong to all people, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or because they are intersex.
In a recent study by the Human Rights Commission, it found that 11 in 100 Australians identified as diverse sexual orientation, sex or gender identity. Disturbingly it also found that those in the LGBTIQ+ community are 3 times more likely to experience depression, 6 in 10 experience verbal homophobic abuse and 2 in 10 experience physical homophobic abuse. On top of this, 34% hide their sexuality or gender identity when accessing social services and more than 39% hide their sexuality or gender identity in the workplace.
We, at Taylor Root, want to make a difference – not only in the legal profession but in the wider community. This is why we have decided to become a corporate sponsor of Pride in Law. In becoming a corporate sponsor for the organisation, we want to advocate for the rights of LGBTIQ+ professionals and promote the acceptance of the LGBTIQ+ community.
To learn more about Pride in Law, please visit their website, or to discuss Taylor Root’s commitment to the community please contact:
P: (02) 9236 9000 or
E: haydengordine@taylorroot.com.au