LGBT+
LGBTQ+ in the Scottish Legal Profession
The 2020/21 Diversity data collection disclosed that at least 3.2% of the profession was LGBTQ+. The 2018 Profile of the Profession report disclosed that 11% of LGBTQ+ respondents would not be comfortable being out at work at all, while a further 22% were not comfortable being out to all people in their workplace. Further in the 2018 report, a significantly higher proportion of LGBTQ+ respondents reported having personal experience of bullying, harassment or sexual harrassment at 34%, compared to 27% of hetrosexual/straight respondents.
Our work with the profession
We consider that everyone should feel free to be themselves in the workplace. No-one should feel forced to be out in any situation if they choose not to be, but should feel comfortable to do so if they wish.
We have been pleased to work with the Glass Network in engaging with the profession, co-operating to produce a sucessful campaign #theseareourprinciples featuring a number of prominent figures in the profession and the First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon.
We have also participated in a number of events during Pride month, with amongst others CMS Cameron McKenna and Addleshaw Goddard.
If you and your firm or organisation would like to partipate in any of our planned events please do get in touch at diversity@lawscot.org.uk
Further information
Stonewall
Stonewall provides information, support and guidance on LGBTQ+ inclusion. Inclusive Workplace resources are available on their website. They also publish Best Practice, toolkits and resources
ACAS
Acas gives employee and employers free, and impartial advice on workplace rights, rules and best practice.
Blogs and opinions
- Flying the colours of Pride - covering the history and development of the Rainbow Flag
- LGBT History Month:Looking back, looking forward - marking LGBT History month 2022, Rob Marrs reflects on the progress made towards equality and inclusion in the legal profession.
- Drew McCusker on LGBTQ+ History month - Drew is a founding member of the Glass Network an advisory and networking body for LGBTQ+ colleagues in the Scottish legal profession
Research
Transgender experience case study 2015
In 2015 surveys of the legal profession in Scotland showed that transgender solicitors are a small but fairly consistent number (less than 1% of the total profession) over the past 8 years. Other than large scale quantitative surveys, which did attempt to capture the issues faced by transgender people within the profession, the Society had not conducted any research to consider the experiences and views of transgender legal professionals. This powerful case study offers insight into issues which may be of wider relevance.