A few weekends back we joined colleagues from across the legal sector to show our support for the Pride celebrations in London. The atmosphere was vibrant and positively fizzing on our host’s double-decker bus. Locals and visitors were out in force as we slowly chugged our way along the sunny roads of the capital, waving, singing, clapping, dancing and above all, smiling. If only we could have bottled the atmosphere it would have been priceless.
Days of celebration like this will have happened in many other towns and cities in the UK and beyond. They give us the chance to reflect on the great strides towards equality that have been achieved and the struggles that continue to be faced by many.
The motto on the CILEx crest says progress through knowledge which is quite apt. Because we hope with that knowledge can come better understanding and allow us all to celebrate who we are.
My responsibility goes further as we have a legal responsibility to encourage a strong and diverse legal profession, improve access to justice and protect and promote the interests of consumers.
We contribute to this in a number of ways. Through our Strategy and Business Plan, our Consumer Engagement Plan and our Equality and Diversity Action Plan. In all means, I am passionate that we promote equality for our regulated community, consumers and public alike.
Pride in London has this message to give us all:
We have come a long way in the 50 years since the partial decriminalisation of homosexuality in the UK, yet we face daily reminders that the global battle for true equality is far from over, and rights hard won can be threatened, attacked and taken away.
It has taken our community many years to secure legal equality for the whole community, and there is still work to do.
We exist to continue to fight for true equality and challenge prejudices that the LGBT+ community still sadly face on a daily basis.
So come and join us next year at this true celebration of life. Whether we are a regulator, a lawyer, a student, a consumer or a member of the public, we all have a contribution to make. What will be yours?
Helen Whiteman is the CEO of CILEx Regulation
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