Gay Solicitors Cork

CheekyChappy

Heya guys I'm just wondering if anyone knows of any gay solicitors in Cork city??? Thanks

ninty9er

I don't, nor do I think I'd place it anywhere on the list of pros and cons in picking a decent one.

If it's career related, I'd suggest contacting Kings Inns to see if they can put you in touch with someone.

floggg

ninty9er wrote: »

I don't, nor do I think I'd place it anywhere on the list of pros and cons in picking a decent one.

If it's career related, I'd suggest contacting Kings Inns to see if they can put you in touch with someone.

Kings Inns is for barristers! I doubt the Law Society (solicitors body) will recommend one but they do have a directory of solicitors on their website.

OP, any reason why you want a gay solicitor? As said above, sexuality shouldn't be high on you'd list of priorities to be honest. You'd be better finding somebody with appropriate expertise and experience to deal with your problem.

A gay commercial solicitor for example would be next to useless to you in a criminal law matter for example.

The vast majority of solicitors are highly professional and respectful and will be able to help you (assuming they practice in the appropriate area) regardless of their sexual orientation.

If they can't help got whatever reason they will generally point you towards somebody who can.

Rick_

Is it because of a gay related issue and you think a gay solicitor would be best to help you? Unless that gay solicitor specialises in the field you require, they quite possibly won't be able to help you and will refer you to someone else.

Also, unless the solicitor is out according to their business card or headed paper, how is anyone supposed to know if they are gay in the first place?

CheekyChappy

Thanks everyone. Cork city isn't that big of a place so thought somebody might know of someone

Peregrinus

As you'd expect, there are plenty of solicitors in Cork who are gay. They don't necessarily want to be thought of as "gay solicitors", though, since they might think their sexuality has little to do with their profession. It smacks too much of the days when the profession was informally divided into "solicitors" and "lady solicitors".

There's a Lesbian and Gay Lawyers Network (lgln.ie) who can put you in touch with lawyers who are interested in the intersection of sexuality/sexual orientation/sexual identity and the law (who may or may not be gay themselves). It also provides social support to LGBT lawyers. That might be a good place to start.

Ambersky

Ever hear the expression "Celebrate" our Diversity. Well advertisers, marketers, professionals and business consultants have been finding a lot to celebrate, it seems, in the Gay Community. http://dot429.com/

A Community With Money? Of Course Marketers Want In on That
PROFESSIONALS of all stripes have no end of networking possibilities, with social networks like LinkedIn and Facebook. Now one particular segment, the gay professional, has a new networking venue — and advertisers are taking note.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/22/business/media/pull-of-a-gay-networking-site-draws-marketers.html?_r=0

Gay customers are more likely to buy products and services from companies that advertise in gay media. Gay Ad Network offers the greatest gay media reach as ranked by comScore (September 2011). Our audience over-indexes on average household income, education level and likelihood to influence the buying decisions of others.

August 24, 2011 (FORT LAUDERDALE) — Gay Ad Network, the category leading gay media company, today announced that the company was named to the Inc. 500|5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in America for 2011. Gay Ad Network ranked No. 581 on the list, with an extraordinary three-year growth rate of 563%. The company also ranked No. 67 in the Advertising & Marketing industry.

http://www.gayadnetwork.com/

There are lots of reasons a poster might ask if anyone knows a gay doctor dentist cleaner builder solicitor or provider of any kind of goods or service.
It seems marketers at least in the UK and the USA ( studies have been done on the market in Ireland but I dont have the results of that yet) are finding that LGBT people can be influenced to spend their money on services and products they see advertised in Gay media. As attitudes change towards LGBT people I think rather than simply assimilating into a vague, everyone is the same, kind of thing, the LGBT community will be seen as a target market, and why not. We are at least as good a target market as any other group. Gay targeted advertising is part of the way the LGBT community becomes visible and it can be part of the way LGBT individuals earn a living.

periodictable

How about the ads section of GCN magazine?

Ambersky

Yes indeed the GCN has an online page encouraging advertising for the very reasons I stated. It can be a great source of information for events and services.

Lyaiera

There's fairly strict restrictions on advertising legal services. The best you would probably see is sponsorship of events and listings as a supporter of an organisation.

Ambersky

Advertising can be done in various ways. Sponsorship and supporting events and organisations is indeed one way to do this.
Buisnesses follow the money and if there is money in having an LGBT member of your law firm, then LGBT lawyers will be hired and advertised, one way or another.

Where Are The Gay Attorneys? The 25 Firms With The Most GLBT Lawyers http://www.businessinsider.com/where-are-the-gay-attorneys-a-look-at-firms-numbers-2010-3?op=1

There is an old thread on the subject of Gay Lawyers in the Legal Discussions forum.
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055925734
The first poster has some interesting things to say and I for one think it sounds like a good idea to support them if it would be mutually beneficial.

a-ha said
Firstly, in terms of campaigns for LGBT rights there is quite a long way to go. It is important that lawyers who have interest in LGBT rights can pool their knowledge and raise awareness of the often complex issues surrounding recognition of family relationships, the constitutionality of marital equality and campaign for the repeal of section 37 of the Employment Equality Act.
While both professions have many gay lawyers until you are out you might never realise quite how many. Visibility of an LGBT group should provide encouragement to lawyers who are considering whether or not is prudent to be out at work.
Finally, it's worth noting that virtually every other country has an LGBT Bar Association. I have provided links to some of these below:

Lyaiera

Ambersky wrote: »

Advertising can be done in various ways. Sponsorship and supporting events and organisations is indeed one way to do this.

It can, but it's much more difficult here than elsewhere.

Buisnesses follow the money and if there is money in having an LGBT member of your law firm, then LGBT lawyers will be hired and advertised, one way or another.

I'm sure many would find a way to do this but first off hiring someone for their LGBT status would be illegal. Secondly I wouldn't like seeing sexuality or gender being traded as a commodity.

Peregrinus

Ambersky wrote: »

Buisnesses follow the money and if there is money in having an LGBT member of your law firm, then LGBT lawyers will be hired and advertised, one way or another.

Bzzt! Complaint to the tribunal heading your way at full speed! You can’t prefer one candidate over another on the basis of sexual orientation.
I worked in a law firm where we had (at least) two gay partners, and a rather larger number of gay employees. Sexual orientation was not a factor in hiring, and so far as we knew it was never a factor, one way or the other, in attracting business to the firm.

Both partners were out, but I think each would have bridled slightly at the label "gay solicitor". They were gay men, and they were solicitors. It's not quite the same.

Ambersky

Lyaiera says
Secondly I wouldn't like seeing sexuality or gender being traded as a commodity.

Sexuality and Gender have always been central to advertising, its just been central to Heterosexual sexuality and gender representations. Advertising has at times, of course, been problematic but it is a fact of life and it can also be used to change attitudes for the positive or to challenge stereotypes.
Things dont always have to be negative.
Have a look at this 15 ads that may have changed the way people view Lesbians and Gays.
http://www.businessinsider.com/15-ads-that-changed-the-way-we-think-about-gays-and-lesbians-2012-10?op=1

Peregrinus says
Bzzt! Complaint to the tribunal heading your way at full speed! You can’t prefer one candidate over another on the basis of sexual orientation.

We also know that the non representation of certain groups can be seen as discriminatory too. Businesses and professions that have an unbalance of males for example could be seen as being exclusive and excluding.
Im not saying all businesses are going to develop policies of inclusiveness and diversity awareness. Many individual buisnesses particularly the more traditional and conservative ones wont want to change at all and if they are doing good buisness they probably wont see a need to. Times are changing though and with the recession people are hungry for buisness. As I have said before if there is money in it some bright young thing will be there to make it.
We all know the professional be it the teacher dentist solicitor doctor who has kept his "private life private" has done quite well and who would not see the need for any of this diversity buisness. Hell, he got by without any support, blended in nicely and feels the best thing to do is assimilate and minimise any differences, why go shining lights on things now, he probably thinks. That's his right to remain private.
Change is not going to be instigated by such professionals, they won't have to, and it migh even be resisted.
But changes are happening many if not most professions have an LGBT support group, the introduction of Gay Marriage and even Civil Partnerships will probably help normalise the targeting of Gays by businesses and professions as more LGBT people will be looking for those services. As the general public sees representations of LGBT people in advertising, that then contributes to the normalisation of LGBT people. That acceptance then creates a demand where LGBT people feel comfortable enough to seek out services in places where they know they are understood, where their issues have been been dealt with previously and who knows, where they may also be supporting the income of other LGBT people.

Further on the complaints to the tribunal. Let them start their complaints if they have them with An Garda Síochána http://www.integration.ie/website/omi/omiwebv6.nsf/page/AXBN-7X3FPE12394722-en/$File/DiversityStrategy%20and%20Implementation%20Plan.pdf
DIVERSITY STRATEGY & IMPLEMENTATION PLAN 2009 - 2012 “Beyond Legal Compliance

An Garda Síochána is committed to:
The development and implementation of a Garda Síochána Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual
(LGB) Policy.
Actively encouraging recruitment from the LGB Community.
Developing training to challenge stereotypes, harassment or mockery of individuals or groups.
Dealing with the sexual orientation related needs and concerns of both its staff and the community.
Creating a non-discriminatory Garda Síochána environment in which all are valued and supported.
Introducing, for statistical purposes, ‘Equality Monitoring’ processes based on Sexual Orientation, to measure representation levels in the organisation.
Facilitating the establishment and development of a support structure for the Garda Síochána’s LGB Staff.
Developing Diversity Training to include inputs on ‘sexual orientation’ awareness on‘Student / Probationer’, ‘CPD’, ‘Management & Supervisory’ Training and the Garda
Síochána ‘Executive Leadership Programme’.
Providing support to the Garda LGBT Liaison Officers in their work.

ninty9er

You clearly don't know HR. Recruiting from minorities is encouraged in many organisations, and is often screened for statistical purposes, however selection on the basis of minority status is illegal.

Ambersky

ninty9er says
You clearly don't know HR. Recruiting from minorities is encouraged in many organisations, and is often screened for statistical purposes, however selection on the basis of minority status is illegal.

Whats with the problems all the time!
So let us know how that recruting from minorities is done in your opinion and it seems experience ninty9er. What kind of diversity is reflected in the employees in your organisation and what is your organisation doing to redress any unbalance. How do LGBT employees get jobs in your organisation. Does the organisation make its diversity policies clear to potential candidates and do they feel free to discuss such issues at interviews. After recruitment how are minority groups supported within the organisaiton. I realise just because you pointed out my shortcomings in awareness of HR that doesnt neccessarily follow that you have a lot of experience in diversity in the workplace yourself.A lot of workplaces in Ireland have a lot of catching up to do Maybe you are just coming to grips with it yourself so let me explain.

Clearly if people from minorities are being recruited - they are being employed.
But selection on the basis of minority status is illegal.
Now how do we make those two things come together, Come on use a little creative thinking ... you dont select purely because of that minority status....they have all the other attributes for the job...plus.. they bring this extra thing to the company.
Some candidates bring a second language, some bring a knowledge of the people in a local area, some leadership experience and some a natural creative flair, you think about the positives that set one candidate apart from the others and if the company values or needs that attribute then they select that person for the job.
The trick here is in seeing being gay not as something wrong with someone and not only as being an irrelevance but you look at it and the experiences and skills they have acquired as a positive the person can bring to the job.
Perhaps being gay has made that person more empathic with people who are discriminated against or bullied, or perhaps it has given them an in depth understanding of non traditional families, they could be one of those creative artistic gays or maybe their political activism has given them leadership experience, there can be all kinds of positives that the individual candidate may bring because of who they are and what they have learned from that.

Whats with all the objections and difficulties, anyone would think some posters didnt want gay people to be looked on positively and would rather we just faded into the background and were invisible.
Am I missing something here. This is the LGBT forum isnt it. The OP was asking if anyone knew a gay lawyer in Cork, perfectly reasonable question and appropriate to this forum in my opinion.

Its seems I am being challenged on suggesting we celebrate our diversity by supporting out gay professionals and for saying that perhaps the differences we bring to our jobs might be looked on as being of benefit to the organisations we work for.
Wow there is something wrong with that picture.

Peregrinus

Ambersky wrote: »

Clearly if people from minorities are being recruited - they are being employed.
But selection on the basis of minority status is illegal.
Now how do we make those two things come together, Come on use a little creative thinking ... you dont select purely because of that minority status....they have all the other attributes for the job...plus.. they bring this extra thing to the company.
Some candidates bring a second language, some bring a knowledge of the people in a local area, some leadership experience and some a natural creative flair, you think about the positives that set one candidate apart from the others and if the company values or needs that attribute then they select that person for the job.
The trick here is in seeing being gay not as something wrong with someone and not only as being an irrelevance but you look at it and the experiences and skills they have acquired as a positive the person can bring to the job.
Perhaps being gay has made that person more empathic with people who are discriminated against or bullied, or perhaps it has given them an in depth understanding of non traditional families, they could be one of those creative artistic gays or maybe their political activism has given them leadership experience, there can be all kinds of positives that the individual candidate may bring because of who they are and what they have learned from that.

No, ninety9er’s correct. You can’t do this.

As between the qualified candidates for a job, you have to make a choice on the basis of relevant and lawful criteria. Except in limited circumstances, it’s not lawful to make a choice on the basis of sexual orientation (or gender, or religion, or race, or . . . ). You can’t refuse a candidate a job on the basis of their LGBTQ identity/orientation and, equally, you can’t appoint them on the basis of that orientation.

Yes, it’s possible that the experience of living as an LGBTQ person has helps someone to develop greater empathy, but it’s prejudicial to assume that, because someone is LGBTQ, they must be more empathetic (or, because they are not, they must be less so). If empathy is a relevant quality for the job, they you can assess the candidates’ qualities of empathy. But you can’t do this by looking at their sexual orientation, and then appealing to stereotypes and prejudices about the empathetic qualities people of that orientation.

The whole point about equal opportunities HR practice is that workers and candidates are entitled to be judged on the basis of their own qualities and attributes, and not the qualities and attributes of groups defined by gender, orientation, race etc to which they belong.

Ambersky

Peregrinus said
Yes, it’s possible that the experience of living as an LGBTQ person has helps someone to develop greater empathy, but it’s prejudicial to assume that

Didnt assume anything.
I allowed for the possibility which apparently there is huge reisitance to here.
I was allowing for the possibility, as it seems organisations who do actually recruit from minority groups do too, that that added difference might just be beneficial to the company.
Didnt say anyone should be appointed purely because of their sexual orientation.
In fact what I said was "you dont select purely because of that minority status....they have all the other attributes for the job...plus.. they bring this extra thing to the company"

Didnt assume or say anywhere that every LGBT person would have any particular attributes.
It seems I am not the person doing the assuming.

As I said

Perhaps being gay has made that person more empathic with people who are discriminated against or bullied, or perhaps it has given them an in depth understanding of non traditional families, they could be one of those creative artistic gays or maybe their political activism has given them leadership experience, there can be all kinds of positives that the individual candidate may bring because of who they are and what they have learned from that.

It really ironic that all this resistance to the idea is coming from the LGBTQ fourm. It seems there are organisations who do have diversity policys that encourage employment from the LGBTQ community. Not saying either that that makes the organisation perfect.

An Garda Síochána is committed to:
The development and implementation of a Garda Síochána Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual
(LGB) Policy.
Actively encouraging recruitment from the LGB Community.

If its all so impossible, and we are all going to be hauled off to the equality tribunal, how do An Garda Siochana implement the policy to encourage recruitment from the LGBT community?


Committee members of the European Gay Police Association (EGPA) Sgt Paul Franey, Det Garda Laura Bolter, Garda Maria Keogh, Garda Paul Clancy, Garda Donagh Mannix, Sgt Mark McNulty, Garda Ray Moloney, Garda Joy McDonnell and Garda Niall OConnor at the sixth EGPA conference in Dublin Castle. Photographs: Brenda Fitzsimons

Lyaiera

Ambersky wrote: »

It really ironic that all this resistance to the idea is coming from the LGBTQ fourm. It seems there are organisations who do have diversity policys that encourage employment from the LGBTQ community. Not saying either that that makes the organisation perfect.

What would be ironic is LGBTQ people being pro-LGBTQ at the cost of equality. However most LGBTQ people realise that the greater problem isn't homo/transphobia but intolerance and discrimination.

Ambersky

Lyaiera says
What would be ironic is LGBTQ people being pro-LGBTQ at the cost of equality.....

Being pro LGBTQ doesnt mean you are against equality.
Being pro woman doesnt mean you are against equality.
Being pro anything doesnt make you anti anything else. It just makes you pro that thing.

People often think equality means things being the same as one another.
Equality means being the same when we are talking about mathematics or equal weights etc but when we are talking about equality and people we are not talking about trying to make everyone the same.

When we talk about equality between peoples we are then talking about equality of opportunity and sometimes equality of outcomes.
The world would be a far less richer place if we wiped out our differences and made us all the same.

The equality council is not trying to wipe out differences between travellers and settled people or between people with disabilities or women or men or religions, gay and straight, or any other of the twelve grounds.
They are trying to ensure there is an equality of opportunity between these peoples and they celebrate the differences is various cultural events and diversity awareness campaigns.
Often in order to make sure there is equality of opportunity you have to be able to see and acknowledge the differences between groups in order to see why one group may be having more difficulties in accessing certain opportunities than another group.
There are then a variety of approaches to how any group of people who are having difficulty accessing certain opportunities can level up the playing field as it were.
This doesn't happen by sticking your head in the sand and pretending not to see any differences or by denying any imbalances that exist already.

Lyaiera says
.... However most LGBTQ people realise that the greater problem isn't homo/transphobia but intolerance and discrimination.

In this case Lyaiera, and to use your words, Intolerance and discrimination is the general and homo/transphobia is the specific.
Intolerance and discrimination are what homophobia transphobia, is, it is a way of describing the act.
Homophobia and transphobia are forms of Intolerance and Discrimination, they are a way of narrowing down which kind of Intolerance and discrimination we are talking about.
It isnt like we all have to sort our intolerance and discrimination and then we can get around to dealing with homophobia and transphobia.
People will want to know what kind of Intolerance and discrimination you are talking about.

Its OK to be equal and different. Its OK to celebrate our differences. Its Ok to think that because of our differences we may bring something to our jobs our communities our families that is of value and can be appreciated by others.

floggg

I should start this by saying I am a gay solicitor (though not in cork) so I like to think I have some insight on this.

Firstly, as far as the OP goes, my sexual orientation is of no relevance whatsoever in terms of my ability and experience to represent you, no matter the case.

What you should look for is knowledge and experience, not sexual orientation. I don't know the nature of you case, but for example a straight solicitor specialising in family law matters will be more useful to you for any query relating to CP, adoption etc, than I would as a commercial solicitor. Hence people saying sexuality is not relevant.

So in the context of legal services, sexual orientation is of little relevance.

As far as marketing/recruitment goes, there is a big difference between recruiting based on sexuality, and policies which encourage applicants from certain groups such as LGBT to apply - which I presume is what AGS are doing.

Inviting a minority to apply is legal, recruiting based on their minority status isn't.

Personally, I would never want to get a job because I'm gay. Just as equally I wouldn't want to be denied one because I'm gay. They are two sides of the same coin.

Just as you can say gay people might have certain experiences which can give them an edge, a bigot could say a straight person could have certain experiences that gives them an edge.

Never mind the fact that its wrong to assume anything about ones experiences because of their sexuality.

Now of course if a gay person might have actual experience in LGBT fields which might give them an edge (volunteering in pride could give an edge in entertainment/event related jobs, or working in a gay bar could give an edge to an applicant for the managers job in the George), but those experiences werent gained because of who they are but because of what they choose to do. And their sexuality isn't the relevant factor, it's the tasks they performed. A straight person could do equally have the same experiences and be just as competent, qualified and suitable for the job - more so potentially depending on their other experiences and abilities.

Lastly, I think they anybody trying to pitch their services to me on the basis of our shares sexuality is condescending and offensive. It reduces me to nothing but my sexuality and it suggests I should care more about sexual orientation than quality, service, value etc.

Especially in a highly specialised field like law, where knowledge, experience and ability is so important and so much can be at stake.

I want you to convince me you offer the best service. A homophobe who got me off a criminal charge for example would be far more value to me than somebody who could "relate to me" but saw me sent down for a year!

Ambersky

The OP did ask for a Gay Solicitor in Cork.
Many of you here might not want to specifically ask for a Gay Solicitor to give business to but the OP did and is entitled to choose any kind of a solicitor they want . The OP did not state what s/he wanted a solicitor for. Posters are putting up all kinds of difficulties but most people I know hire a solicitor who is pretty much like themselves.
You might not think that is wise and may think you have a far better set of requirements for choosing your own solicitor but that is your choice and others are entitled to their choices.

flogg says
Firstly, as far as the OP goes, my sexual orientation is of no relevance whatsoever in terms of my ability and experience to represent you, no matter the case.

There are other solicitors who disagree like the members of the LGBT Lawyers association who seem to think that their members might have a unique and valuable contribution to make. http://www.lgln.ie/

The LGBT Free Legal Advice Centre welcomes attendance by members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community who require advice on LGBT legal issues. This service is provided free of charge on the first Tuesday of every month from 7pm -8:30pm in Outhouse on Capel Street, Dublin 1.

Dont know if the above service is still available but it sounds like a very laudable contribution.


A lot of people need solicitors for things other than getting them off criminal charges, they might be buying a house or a flat or writing a will for example.
Soon I will be hiring a Gay Solicitor myself, an acquaintance I know from my own social circle. She seems as competent and qualified as anyone else in the practice but I would prefer to give her the work and I have no worries she will do a good job.
I will be happy to give her the business in these recessionary times and I feel absolutely entitled to make that decision without anyone telling me I shouldnt or telling me its a bad decision or that it is politically incorrect. I have my own personal and political reasons for choosing this particular Gay Solicitor. She knows this and doesn't feel condescended to or offended at all, she has said thanks for the business when hired before .

floggg

Ambersky wrote: »

The OP did ask for a Gay Solicitor in Cork.
Many of you here might not want to specifically ask for a Gay Solicitor to give business to but the OP did and is entitled to choose any kind of a solicitor they want . The OP did not state what s/he wanted a solicitor for. Posters are putting up all kinds of difficulties but most people I know hire a solicitor who is pretty much like themselves.
You might not think that is wise and may think you have a far better set of requirements for choosing your own solicitor but that is your choice and others are entitled to their choices.


There are other solicitors who disagree like the members of the LGBT Lawyers association who seem to think that their members might have a unique and valuable contribution to make. http://www.lgln.ie/

Dont know if the above service is still available but it sounds like a very laudable contribution.


A lot of people need solicitors for things other than getting them off criminal charges, they might be buying a house or a flat or writing a will for example.
Soon I will be hiring a Gay Solicitor myself, an acquaintance I know from my own social circle. She seems as competent and qualified as anyone else in the practice but I would prefer to give her the work and I have no worries she will do a good job.
I will be happy to give her the business in these recessionary times and I feel absolutely entitled to make that decision without anyone telling me I shouldnt or telling me its a bad decision or that it is politically incorrect. I have my own personal and political reasons for choosing this particular Gay Solicitor. She knows this and doesn't feel condescended to or offended at all, she has said thanks for the business when hired before .

The LGLN is (from what I know) primarily a support, lobby and advocacy group for LGBT and LGBT Supportong lawyers. It's a voluntary organisation organises for professionals with a common interest.

They don't provide commercial services, and their primary role is not the provision if legal services.

The piece you quoted is in relation to the provision of pro bono legal services TO LGBT people. Not BY LGBT lawyers.

It's a charity service essentially for gay people, but the sexual orientation of the persons providing it is irrelevant.

While LGBT Lawyers likely make up the majority of their members, I imagine the LGLN would be the first to say that your sexual orientation doesn't make you any more or less useful and they would welcome a contribution from straight lawyers as warmly as that of gay lawyers.

They also offer a referral service from what I can see, though this appears to be for lawyers who indicate their willingness and ability to provide LGBT related legal services. Again, I very much doubt that the LGLN exclude straight lawyers from this, and would probably also be first to say to anybody that a straight lawyer with good experience would be far more use to you than a gay lawyer without it.

You can argue it anyway you want, but take it from me that picking a solicitor based on their sexual orientation is silly.

And no matter how much you are into gay power, I think id be doing the OP a disservice if I didn't tell him so. And I'm sure the LGLN would agree.

Frankly, the only good reason you have to look for a gay lawyer specifically is if you have a lawyer fetish.

Unfortunately for me, and everybody else I know in the law game, I've never heard of anybody, straight or gay, with any such fetish.*




*there are plenty of people with a rich person fetish, but not all lawyers are rich unfortunately.

Ambersky

I can well imagine that the LGNL would welcome the contributions of straight lawyers. No difficulty with that. Advertising services for the LGBT community and having some if not the majority of gay lawyers employed sounds fine too.

All other things being equal, qualifications and experience the same etc.there is also no reason why I or anyone else should not choose a gay lawyer.

You can argue it anyway you want, but take it from me that picking a solicitor based on their sexual orientation is silly.
And no matter how much you are into gay power, I think id be doing the OP a disservice if I didn't tell him so. And I'm sure the LGLN would agree.

In my case I have no particular fetish, am into gay power as you say, want to support members of my community and will be hiring a gay lawyer.

If a person doesn't think it is right to hire a gay lawyer they shouldnt marry.. I mean..hire one
If a gay professional doesn't want to be hired they don't have to take the job.
If a person does want to hire a gay professional they should be free to do so.

Telling people they cant, or shouldnt, or are silly or are politically un correct to hire a gay lawyer or other professional with all other things being equal, is just that, a form of political correctness and control. I thought a lot of members of this forum were against that.

ninty9er

Ambersky wrote: »

Whats with the problems all the time!
So let us know how that recruting from minorities is done in your opinion and it seems experience ninty9er. What kind of diversity is reflected in the employees in your organisation and what is your organisation doing to redress any unbalance. How do LGBT employees get jobs in your organisation. Does the organisation make its diversity policies clear to potential candidates and do they feel free to discuss such issues at interviews. After recruitment how are minority groups supported within the organisaiton. I realise just because you pointed out my shortcomings in awareness of HR that doesnt neccessarily follow that you have a lot of experience in diversity in the workplace yourself.A lot of workplaces in Ireland have a lot of catching up to do Maybe you are just coming to grips with it yourself so let me explain.
.

In my experience of being on interview panels, I never knew a candidate's relationship status, disability status, sexual orientation, religious status.

Once recruitment is complete and a candidate has been selected then the data is compiled from the applications.

For example:

• 25 male and 4 female applicants
• 21 Irish applicants, 3 UK applicants, 1 traveller applicant, 3 EU-Other applicants and 1 Non EU
• 24 heterosexual candidates, 4 homosexual candidates, 1 bisexual candidate

The supports offered were for all employees and no supports were provided to some employees and not others. (i.e there were no supports exclusively for homosexual employees)

I also find it interesting that you assume there is an imbalance in diversity. Diversity is much more than an individual, and an organisation with a wide range of ethnicities, sexualities, ages etc, does not necessarily reflect one that's diverse, if anything it suggests one that's highly interested in ticking boxes and less interested in being good at what it does.

I would also like to point out separate to all of that, "gay" isn't a community, it's an intrinsic thing like skin colour, eye colour etc. Supporting a business because it's got gay credentials is like supporting any old business that only hires tall blonde men with blue eyes and blonde hair, irrespective of the service provided.

Apologies to the OP for hijacking the thread