Sexual diversity and gender identity dominate annual legal gathering

22 June 2010

Sexual diversity and gender identity in the judiciary will be the focus of the ninth Stonewall lecture to take place at the Law Society.

The lecture, delivered by Professor Lesley Moran, will examine judicial experiences, institutionalised prejudice and recommendations for change in the judicial appointments process.

The annual event, to take place on Thursday 24 June at the Law Society, is a chance for the legal profession to consider further improvements to the way judges are appointed.

The evening, organised by the Law Society, Stonewall and the Bar Council in association with InterLaw, the Bar Lesbian and Gay Group, and the Lesbian and Gay Lawyers Association, is also aimed at generating greater recognition of the growing prominence of LGBT solicitors across the profession and judiciary.

Ben Summerskill, CEO of Stonewall, a professional lobbying group renowned for its campaigning and for putting the case for equality on the mainstream political agenda will also deliver an introduction.

Law Society vice president Linda Lee will open the lecture, which will be followed by a presentation by Daniel Winterfeldt from Interlaw Diversity Forum who will deliver the findings of an LGBT judiciary report. The event will be chaired by Lord Justice Etherton.

Law Society president Robert Heslett said the Society is proud to support Stonewall in taking positive action to tackle prejudice against LGBT lawyers and promote their integration in the judiciary.

He explained: "The Law Society is committed to the development of a more diverse judiciary, and is working hard to enable all solicitors to attain judicial appointments. There is still scope to make improvements to the way judges are appointed and greater equality on gender and sexual orientation should prove to be incentives for more lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender solicitors to consider judicial careers. It is essential that the judiciary reflects the greater diversity within the profession and within society as a whole. Hosting this important event highlights our commitment to promoting equality and diversity in the judiciary."

Date and time: 6.00– 7.30 Thursday 24 June, 2010