Inner Temple LGBTQ+ Society

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.

Membership of the Society is open to all members of the Inn, including students, and staff, of any sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or any other characteristic.

The Society is overseen by the Master of the LGBTQ+ Society, Master Jeremy Richardson (His Honour Judge Jeremy Richardson KC), Recorder of Sheffield and member of the Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity Sub-Committee. The Society’s Officers for 2024 are:

President: Master Craig Hassall (Park Square Barristers, Call 1999)
Librarian: Mohamed Hussein Iman (Student member) 
Treasurer: Dr Leonardo Raznovich (Bedlington Chambers, Call 2010)
Secretary: Cameron Stocks (Gatehouse Chambers, Call 2015)
Student and Pupil Liaison Officer: Simon Parra-Chokier (1 Crown Office Row, Call 2022)  

To hear directly by email about the Society's initiatives and events, register as a member below:

Details of forthcoming events will be added to the Inn's Events pages and/or sent directly to registered members of the LGBTQ+ Society by email.

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.