At Bates Wells we see it as vital to promote the work of our LGBT+ people as well as acting as an institutional ally. This LGBT+ history month, we focussed on:
Claiming the past – we secured charitable status for London Gay Switchboard in 1974, and we’ve been addressing challenges in the LGBT+ community since.
Celebrating the present – we’ve come a long way since ‘74. We provide full-service advice to charities, organisations and individuals on LGBT+ issues, rights and inclusivity. Our Queen Street Pride (QSP) group brings together and provides a platform for all things LGBT+ for Bates Wells’ people. Tim Barnden, our Partner and LGBT+ Ambassador, celebrates and reflects on his very own two-part radio show, showcasing a personal take on queer musical history. This month also QSP were hosted by the Bishopsgate Institute in exploring their vast LGBT+ archives.
Creating the future – we acknowledge and address challenges faced by individuals and organisations wanting to achieve fair recognition.
This February, we’ve been working on:
Our immigration team explain gaps in the guidance for employers who wish to employ someone who has recently changed gender, and provides an update on how they are working with the Home Office to insist right to work policy is changed to prevent employees from being discriminated.
Many have noted the seeming tension between the provision of single sex services on the one hand, and the drive to be as inclusive as possible to transgender people on the other. Employers in particular need to be alert to these issues. To learn more, sign up to our seminar above.
Issues around LGBT+ inclusion have become contentious and can often be confusing. To help you, Mindy Jhittay and Tim Barnden have put together a list of recent Employment Tribunal cases relating to the UK workplace, membership organisations and service providers to explain the implications for LGBT+ inclusion.