We are about to come to the end of this year’s LGBTQ+ History Month. For many, February is a time to reflect on the lives, history and experiences of the LGBTQ+ Community. The aim is to increase the visibility of the Community, challenge prejudice and promote equality.

Whilst people’s attitudes are changing for the better as we step further into the 21st Century, we must not forget the struggles that much of the LGBTQ+ Community still face in the UK and worldwide. It is easy to accept that globally, society still has far to come. Sadly, many countries still fail to recognise the rights of different factions of the Community. In countries such as the United Arab Emirates, this can prove fatal. We can take the USA as another example. The seemingly progressive country is led by a man who has relentlessly attempted to reverse the civil rights of the LGBTQ+ Community during his time in office. His divisive language and mocking behaviour actively encourages the discrimination of members of the LGBTQ+ Community. Similarly, the UK is now headed up by a Cabinet containing members that have consistently voted against equality policies over the years.

Given the negative rhetoric stirred up by these “leaders”, it is no surprise that our government recently reported a large increase in offences against people based on sexual orientation during 2018.

Representation and visibility matters.

I grew up in a biracial household in a neighbourhood with very little diversity. It is extremely difficult trying to embrace and balance your ethnicity and other parts of your identity whilst also trying to fit in with the people that surround you - many of which do not share your traits. 

As I have grown I have realised that there is nothing more important than being comfortable with the person that you are.

I am bisexual and proud; being part of a certain culture and being queer do not have to be mutually exclusive. I fiercely believe that we should all have the freedom to express who we are without being met by negativity or ignorance.

At Jackson Lees Group I feel respected and able to be my authentic self. I feel comfortable enough to speak about my experiences of racial abuse, sexist attitudes and assumptions made about my sexuality. There is still work to be done to redress the balance, however, within the legal sector and beyond. I am so pleased to be working with the Group’s Diversity Committee to make a positive difference in redressing this balance as this is an issue so close to my heart. 

We must continue to push forward by opposing the archaic attitudes that many in the LGBTQ+ community still face when accessing professional services, and fight the circumstances that lead to members of the LGBTQ+ community facing discrimination, hate crime, and prejudice.

Here at Jackson Lees Group, we treat our LGBTQ+ people and clients with unwavering respect and empathy and celebrate each other’s differences. We are here to support you in your journey, whatever that may be.

Being your authentic self should be a right, not a privilege.