Such a position is born out by research conducted by Lawyers Weekly and Momentum Intelligence late last year – in a survey of 468 legal professionals across the country, examining perceptions of efforts made by their employers, and the broader legal profession, to advance diversity and inclusion initiatives as they pertain to the experience of those identifying as LGBTQI+, researchers found the profession still has a way to go in ensuring substantive change.

As reported in December 2020, the research revealed the extent of progress that has been made in fostering inclusive workplaces for legal professionals identifying as LGBTQI+, notable differences between LGBTQI+ and non-LGBTQI professionals in law with regard to the success or otherwise of inclusion initiatives, and the extent to which persons within a law firm, legal organisation or in-house team a professional identifying as LGBTQI+ can comfortably be themselves.

Speaking to Lawyers Weekly in anticipation of 2021 Champions of Pride, Mr Kirby said that if progress is to continue, the profession must “translate the talk into action”, following the foundation that has been laid by research efforts. 

“That’s why I think the research that has been conducted by Lawyers Weekly, and for this event, is research that will help to further improve the situation in Australia. And, when we’re finished with Australia, there’s a whole big world out there that we should tackle,” he espoused.

While it is important, Mr Kirby noted, that employers do not engage in “simple self-congratulation and a bubble of optimism”, now is a good time for the legal profession to take stock and evaluate where we are currently at so as to better look into the future.

“The danger in LGBTQI+ advancement in the law is that those who see the need of it will meet, by themselves and with themselves, and not reach out effectively to others who are still hostile or sceptical or just plain silent,” he warned.

“Therefore, an event such as this can renew energy and determination to ensure that no minority in the profession is overlooked or left behind – including Aboriginal lawyers, lawyers of non-white appearance or ethnicity, and LGBTQI lawyers as well.”

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When asked how he feels about the extent of progress made thus far, in the context of a looming post-pandemic marketplace, Mr Kirby said he is “optimistic, but not starry-eyed and blind” to what he called deep wells of prejudice that can and do still exist across the legal profession.

Particularly, he noted, “if those wells of prejudice are fed by religious beliefs”.

“Most people get their religious beliefs from their parents, whom they love, therefore they have a very powerful influence on their minds, their psyches and their attitudes. It takes a lot of factual material to shift people from prejudices that they have received in their early years, and those prejudices include those [formed] on the ground of sexual orientation and gender identity,” Mr Kirby detailed.

“So, it’s an uphill struggle, but the way we overcame – to the extent that we have – White Australia and its prejudices, is that we began to meet non-white Australians. Likewise, the way that we will overcome the prejudices against LGBTQI people is by meeting queer people and discovering that they are just the same as ourselves: sometimes boring, sometimes interesting, but part of the human family.”

To learn more about Lawyers Weekly Champions of Pride, click here.

Reserve your place today and celebrate with us in person at The Star from 12pm on Thursday, 11 March – click here for more information. This event will also be live streamed for anyone not able to make the in-person celebration. Register your interest to watch online here.