To round off a summer of recognition, awareness raising and celebration, on Saturday 20th July 2024 Burness Paull’s BeProud network of LGBTQ+ colleagues and allies hosted a brunch at our Glasgow office, welcoming family and friends before participating in Glasgow's Pride March parade.
Partnering with Time for Inclusive Education (TIE), Scotland’s LGBT Inclusive Education charity, attendees learned about the importance of integrating respect and inclusion into the school curriculum and in the workplace. Attendees were able to discuss ongoing developments in diversity and inclusion and there were short presentations from Burness Paull and TIE highlighting their initiatives in this area.
After the presentations, brunch, and Pride-themed fun and games with plenty of glitter and rainbow props, everyone headed to Festival Park for the March.
This event marked the finale of Burness Paull’s Pride Month activities, and we are committed to celebrating and supporting progress for LGBTQ+ colleagues and the wider community all year round. At Burness Paull we recognise that everyone is different and aim to create a business that values those differences and where colleagues feel comfortable being themselves at work.
Colleagues also attended other Pride marches throughout the country.
To further promote progress and collaboration within the legal sector, our BeProud network hosted a roundtable discussion titled ‘Moving the Dial on LGBTQ+ Inclusion,’ inviting leaders from other Scottish law firms to discuss the current landscape of LGBTQ+ inclusion in the sector and what's next in this space.
Jamie Meechan, Senior Associate in the firm’s employment division and BeProud network chair, led the first ‘LGBT+ Issues in the Workplace’ half-day conference, guiding employers on how to foster inclusivity in the workplace. Speakers included Zander Murray, the first openly gay professional Scottish footballer, along with representatives from TIE, Scottish Trans/Equality Network, and ITN Pride, who provided practical advice on supporting LGBTQ+ colleagues and building effective employee networks.
Internally, we shared a range of LGBTQ+ resources across the firm, including tips on being an ally, transitioning support, and information on policies for diverse families.
We also held an internal ‘lived experience’ session with Zander Murray, where he shared his personal experiences in the corporate and football world and offered our colleagues valuable insights on allyship.
Additionally, our BeProud network organised Rainbow Bake Sales across our three offices, raising funds for charity.
Jamie Meechan, chair of the firm’s BeProud network said: "Thank you to TIE for joining us for our Pride brunch and Mardi Gla, and to our colleagues for their enthusiastic participation in our Pride activities. The firm’s commitment to respect and inclusion is a year-round effort, however Pride events allow us to celebrate together, connect with the broader community, and reaffirm our dedication to creating a space where everyone can be their true selves and feel valued."