The Inner Temple LGBTQ+ Society has been established with the principal objective of encouraging visibility and facilitating an inclusive social environment for the Inn's LGBTQ+ members and allies. The Society is a self-sustaining, membership-led initiative and will seek to arrange a limited number of events and networking activities each year.
Life at the LGBTQ+ Bar: Research and Reality
Tuesday 21 October 2025
Master Craig Hassall (President, LGBTQ+ Society and barrister at Park Square Barristers, Leeds), Reagan Persaud (Spire Chambers) and Judge Shelley Brownlee (First-tier Tribunal, Health, Education and Social Care Chamber) addressed an audience of 104 students and members at this EDI Qualifying Session. They shared personal experiences as LGBTQ+ individuals at the Bar and Judiciary and drew on findings from the landmark 2017 study Sexuality at the Bar: An Empirical Exploration into the Experiences of LGBT+ Barristers in England & Wales (Mason & Vaughan, 2017) to examine progress toward greater inclusion and equality, the challenges that remain, the availability and impact of institutional support and the ongoing efforts to create a more inclusive environment for all.
Pride in Practice
Thursday 26 June 2025
A first cross-profession Pride in Practice LGBTQ+ networking reception took place at Inner Temple on 26 June. Organised in collaboration with the Bar Council, Law Society and the other Inns, it featured a performance by the Pink Singers. There were introductory remarks by Master Jeremy Richardson as Chair of the Inn’s EDI Sub-Committee; Master Mills as Chair of the Bar Council; Ian Jeffrey, Chief Executive of the Law Society; and HHJ Edward Connell, a member of the LGBTQ+ Judges Association. 169 guests attended.
LGBTQ+ History Month Reception, Leeds
Friday 7 February 2025
The Inner Temple’s LGBTQ+ Society hosted a networking reception at Park Square Barristers in Leeds on Friday 7 February to mark the start of LGBTQ+ History Month. Guests gathered for drinks and canapés and heard insights into the short and sometime fraught history of out LGBTQ+ lawyers.
LGBTQ+ Society Festive Reception
Tuesday 17 December 2024
The LGBTQ+ Society organised a festive networking drinks reception on 17 December with 30 guests, hosted by the LGBTQ+ Society President, Master Craig Hassall.
LGBTQ+ Society Drinks Reception
Thursday 11 April 2024
Hosted in The Inner Temple's Luncheon Room, this was an event for members and prospective members of the LGBTQ+ Society to meet the newly appointed Officers of the Society as well as to network with fellow members.
Pride Month Reception
Thursday 22 June 2023
The Inner Temple LGBTQ+ Society and Middle Temple LGBTQ+ Forum hosted a joint drinks reception on 22 July to mark Pride month at Middle Temple's Fountain Court.
International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) Reception
Wednesday 17 May 2023
An informal drinks reception for Inner Temple LGBTQ+ Society members, held in the Pegasus Bar.
LGBTQ+ Society Lecture: ‘Sodomy Law, the UK’s Persisting Legacy and the Great Quandary’
Tuesday 18 April 2023
In this Qualifying Session lecture, delivered in person and as a webinar, The Hon Michael Kirby AC CMG (Inner Temple Bencher), former Justice of the High Court of Australia and LGBTQ+ / human rights campaigner, outlined the long history of criminal laws against LGBTIQ people throughout England’s Empire. It has proved remarkably resistant to abolition even in recent times. Master Kirby took an active part in the formulation of the Charter of the Commonwealth of Nations 2013 and recently took part in London in celebrations of the 10th anniversary of this Charter, stating fundamental values that are agreed upon. Yet despite values of equality and non-discrimination, anti-gay laws persist in more than 30 Commonwealth countries. They exist in law and are enforced by lawyers. This presents the quandary that now faces the Commonwealth. How can advocates of change advance rigorously the espoused principles without risking the counter assertions of cultural, social and religious beliefs and undermining the value of mutual respect that holds this unique community of nations together? Followed by Q&A and networking reception for all guests.