Date published: 25th July 2023

Liverpool Pride is just around the corner and this year it is more important than ever, with Liverpool showing their support for Ukraine by hosting a combined Kyiv and Liverpool Pride.

Rainbows and beautiful displays of self-expression and joy are flooding the city centre. With Pride at our doorstep, we must remember why Pride is important, and recognise how we can celebrate our LGBTQIA+ colleagues and friends.

A brief history of Pride

“The first Pride was a riot” is a common slogan used by LGBTQIA+ activists, and it is true. The first Pride was not a celebration of our community, but a fight against oppression.

The Stonewall Riots of 1969 were a brave display of queer liberation and refusal to be silenced following a raid at Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York City.

Since Stonewall, LGBTQIA+ people have continued to fight for our rights; from the Act Up movement of the 80s that fought for support for AIDS sufferers, to the abolition of Section 28 (which banned discussion of homosexuality in schools in the UK) in 2003 and the fight for gay marriage until its legalisation in 2013.

Still in 2023, we continue to fight to liberate the LGBTQIA+ community from oppression. This year, the Human Rights Organisation declared an official state of emergency for LGBTQ+ people living in the USA following an increase in anti-LGBT laws being passed.

This shows the importance of remembering the meaning of Pride, and reminding ourselves that issues of homophobia and transphobia are still prevalent issues.

How we Make a Positive Difference

Making a Positive Difference is what we do. So how have we applied these values to LGBTQIA+ rights?

At Jackson Lees Group we understand the importance of representation, community, and education in the campaign for LGBTQIA+ rights and take action to strengthen each of these elements within our firm.

Representation:

To show support for LGBT visibility and representation, we walk in the annual Liverpool Pride March, which we will continue to do this year on the 29th July.

During Pride month we also hosted a Wear the Rainbow day, where employees were encouraged to come to work dressed in the colours of the rainbow to show support for the LGBT community.

This event particularly created a sense of support and community within the office. It was lovely to see our colleagues making the effort to put an outfit together to show visible support for the LGBT community.

Community:

To encourage a sense of community, our Diversity Collective, comprised of our colleagues, arranges events for the community to come together.

For example, in June we had a Pride Coffee Morning which was an opportunity for LGBT colleagues and allies to socialise and network.

Education:

We recognise that education is crucial in the campaign for LGBT equality. We have previously invited the charity Mermaids to speak about transgender inclusion as well as hosting our own educational sessions surrounding LGBTQIA+ issues including:

  • The history of Pride
  • Understanding and correctly using pronouns
  • Being a transgender ally

We are a forward-thinking and inclusive firm

At Jackson Lees Group, we pride ourselves on being a forward thinking and inclusive firm. This includes being LGBTQIA+ friendly employers, colleagues and solicitors.

We offer a safe space for our employees to be their authentic selves and encourage our colleagues’ personal growth.

Our solicitors are informed about LGBTQIA+ issues, which enables us to offer progressive and friendly services to all clients regardless of their gender-identity or sexuality.

To become a part of the Jackson Lees Group please visit our current vacancies and become a member of our forward-thinking firm.

To access inclusive and trusted legal services, please contact our welcome team on 0151 282 1700 or make an enquiry.