While often marked with colorful, celebratory parades and festivals around the world, at its core, Pride Month is rooted in activism. It was born out of a need to protest for the rights of members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and queer (LGBTIQ+) community, as well as promote visibility and awareness of LGBTIQ+ issues on an international level.

We are committed to creating an inclusive and equitable environment where LGBTIQ+ colleagues can progress and develop their careers, and thrive without fear of discrimination and/or harassment.

The world has undoubtedly come a long way since the Stonewall Uprising in 1969 – a significant moment for the Pride movement – but there is still a lot more that can be done to build an inclusive and equitable society. Workplaces, such as ours, can play a big part.

Throughout the month of June*, we amplify the voices of members of our Pride networks and allies around the world who have offered to openly share some of their stories and lived experiences. However you choose to mark Pride Month, we hope it is a time of reflection, support, celebration and meaningful conversations.

Note: While most Pride celebrations in major urban areas around the world take place in June, we recognize that various cities hold them at different times of the calendar year.

 

Proud voices

Rudene Pride

Living by our values

In the legal profession, advocating for justice and equality is our core mission. As a member of the LGBTIQ+ community, ...

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Denton Pride Image

Why 'being out’ is bigger than me

Being out is usually thought of as good for the person who comes out. Virtually everyone who has come out, myself incl...

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India Bennett in front of a colourful background

How finding safe spaces helped me reclaim my identity

I always knew I wasn’t straight. Being out wasn’t an option at my private Catholic girls’ school, so a few months after ...

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Pride 2024 - Carlo

Be who you want to see

“I think what for me is really important is that you work in an environment where you can be your true self. I have neve...

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Todd image pride

Everything in its time: Stages of self-acceptance

I grew up in West Texas, a community more akin to Friday Night Lights than Dallas, Austin, or Houston. I always knew som...

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Pride background - Colin Shaw

Coming out: My journey

I grew up in South Africa during the '80s. Reflecting on this now as I write this, as a child, I don’t think I was aware...

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Our people. Their voices.

"Any institution, any business is better when people feel free to be themselves at work. People are happier, they're more engaged. They're truly connected to the people they work with, and that can only be a good thing." - Rahul Mansigani, Senior Associate, London

Colleagues from our EMEA offices come together to discuss what Pride means to them, why it remains as important as ever, and to share their stories.

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When speaking about your personal life with colleagues, I think people should be encouraged to use non-gendered language when asking questions, such as referring to a partner, rather than wife, husband, boyfriend, girlfriend etc. It feels more open minded and starts you both off on the right foot by not assuming that the person you are speaking to is straight. It also avoids placing the responsibility on the LGBTIQ+ individual to have to correct the other person. Less awkwardness and more open mindedness all round!- Lucy Heenan, Associate, London

Celebrating Pride Month

“I don't think that, as human beings, social beings, we can reach our full potential if we're not comfortable and able to be ourselves while doing our work.” - Lucy L'Hirondelle, Partner, Calgary

We invited leaders and members from our Pride networks across the firm to talk about the importance and impact of the network, as well as looking forward at what the network has planned for the coming months and years.

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Even more proud voices

Hear the thoughts of our colleagues from previous years, as part of our ongoing proud voices series.

Leslie Hueholt

Bringing your full selves to work

Leslie talks about the importance of being open and honest with each other at work.

Hana O’Connor

Allyship, true allyship, is needed by all marginalised communities

Hana talks about growing up in Ireland at a time when homosexuality was criminalised.

Niall Crowley

A journey from shame and fear, to feeling seen and accepted

Niall talks about the impact hiding part of himself had on his mental health.

Paulette Khumalo

“We all want to be loved. We all want to be accepted.”

Paulette talks about her experience growing up surrounded by family and friends of varying sexual orientations.

Nikki Rollason

Breaking down stigmas

Nikki Rollason discusses parenting and how her son's ADHD diagnosis led to her very own and her drive to break down the ...

Preston Brasch

The importance of visible and vocal support

Preston talks about the importance of visible and vocal support for the LGBTQIA+ community.

EMEA responsible business report

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Pride and Pride Allies network

Our global Pride network engages LGBTIQ+ employees and partners across all of our offices. We currently have active chapters in the US, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Singapore, the UK and South Africa.

Pride contributes to our diversity and inclusion agenda by encouraging the recruitment, retention and professional development of LGBTIQ+ talent, providing guidance on LGBTIQ+ inclusive policies and identifying opportunities to participate in volunteering and pro bono initiatives which support the LGBTIQ+ community. Pride has also helped us to develop and strengthen relationships with clients through their own LGBTIQ+ networks.

We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ+) people. We have developed and implemented LGBTIQ+ inclusive policies and resources, including toolkits to help managers understand the challenges that an LGBTIQ+ team member may face and the support they can offer.

More about DE&I at Norton Rose Fulbright

We all have things that we need to learn more about – this isn’t a personal failure, it’s an opportunity for growth. You may unintentionally say things that upset others. Accept the learning curve, but be accountable and to make an active effort to change any hurtful behaviors in future.Rachel Rosenfeld, Senior Associate, Washington, DC

Perspectives

Some of our colleagues share their personal stories and experiences on our diversity and inclusion blog, Perspectives.

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