NEWS

Allens celebrates International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia

Allens is very proud to celebrate IDAHOT Day, the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia.

IDAHOT Day marks the anniversary of the World Health Organisation's declassification of homosexuality as a mental disorder in 1990. It is a day to reflect on the discrimination many lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual and intersex (LGBTI) people sadly still face around the world.

Allens values all of its LGBTI employees, and is committed to ensuring a diverse workplace. As part of that commitment, in early 2012 Allens developed an interest group for its LGBTI partners, employees and allies. Our group is focused on raising awareness of LGBTI issues internally, and engaging externally with LGBTI organisations, charities and our clients' own LGBTI networks. This includes providing pro bono legal assistance to clients on matters of interest to the LGBTI community.

Our recent pro bono work includes assisting A Gender Agenda, an organisation representing the gender diverse and intersex community in Australia, in NSW Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages v Norrie [2014] HCA 11. In that case, the High Court unanimously held that NSW laws permit the registration of a person's sex as neither male or female, but as a third 'non-specific sex' category.

Additionally, Allens assisted Australian Marriage Equality with its intervention in Commonwealth v Australian Capital Territory [2013] HCA 55, the High Court's decision recognising a Constitutional power to legislate on same-sex marriage.

Allens looks forward to continuing its work in this area, its engagement with clients on LGBTI issues, and to fostering a safe and welcoming environment for all of its LGBTI partners and employees.

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Notes for editors.

Allens is a commercial law firm working throughout Australia and Asia. Through its integrated alliance with Linklaters it provides clients access to 40 offices in 28 countries around the world.