Herbert Smith Freehills is proud to announce that it is an Official Supporter of the 2016 Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras for the second consecutive year.
The firm is also sponsoring the Melbourne Queer Film Festival for the second consecutive year and Brisbane’s MELT Festival for the first time in 2016.
Herbert Smith Freehills is committed to supporting diversity. The firm’s Australian LGBTI network was launched in March 2013 and now boasts over 450 members.
Creating a high-performing, diverse and inclusive workplace is one of Herbert Smith Freehills’ strategic objectives, and LGBTI inclusion is one of the firm’s three global diversity and inclusion priorities.
Sue Gilchrist, Regional Managing Partner, Asia and Australia, said: “We are extremely proud to sponsor these iconic Australian festivals as part of our unwavering support of our LGBTI staff, their allies and the wider LGBTI community. These sponsorships build upon the work we have undertaken in the LGBTI community for a number of years through pro bono legal work, ongoing support for the Pinnacle Foundation and our involvement with Pride In Diversity.
“As a firm we are absolutely committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive culture, because we recognise the value that diverse perspectives can bring to our ability to think creatively, problem solve and innovate, all of which leads to a more rewarding workplace for our people and better service for our clients.”
The iconic Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade is one of the largest pride events of its kind in the world and is Australia’s foremost event for LGBTI celebration. Marking its 38th anniversary in 2016, the Mardi Gras festival runs from 19 February to 6 March.
The Melbourne Queer Film Festival is one of the world’s largest queer film festivals and runs from 31 March to 11 April 2016.
Brisbane’s MELT Festival is a celebration of queer arts and culture, and of Brisbane’s LGBTI community. The 2016 festival ran from 3 to 14 February.
