The history of BLAGG

The Bar Lesbian and Gay Group (BLAGG) was formed by a group of students at the Inns of Court School of Law in 1994.   Over the last 7 years, the group has grown in size and now has over 150 members students, pupils, squatters and tenants from all over the country including those in independent practice and as the employed bar.  Much of the original impetus was to provide a support network for lesbians and gay men at the Bar and especially for lesbians and gay men coming to the Bar. This continues to be one of its main roles, hence its representation at the annual Inns of Court and BVC pupilage fairs.  BLAGG also takes part in the induction programme at the start of the BVC year and has sent speakers to university societies around the country in an attempt to encourage student to apply for the BVC.  Most recently a sponsorship scheme has been set up similar to that run by each of the Inns of Court so that university and BVC students are now in touch directly with barristers who can offer advice and guidance.

BLAGG also plays an important role in the wider Bar both at the home and abroad. The organisation has members on the Bar Council's Sex Discrimination Committee and has close contacts with the Bar Council's Equal Opportunities Offices. In the last year, the group has been involved with the Home Office review on the law relating to sexual offences and in the past has given evidence to the Home Affairs Select Committee and submitted papers to the Judicial Studies Board. BLAGG is on the co-sponsors of the Stonewall Lecture which, since beginning in 1994, has established itself as an important event in the legal year and which always attracts a high-profile speaker. In July 2000, as part of the American Bar Association's Conference in London, BLAGG's President Martin Bowley Q.C., hosted a reception jointly with its American equivalent - the National Lesbian and Gay Law Association of America - and with the Lesbian and Gay Lawyers Association ('LAGLA'), where a special award was presented by The Rt. Hon. Lord Justice Sedley to Peter Duffy Q.C.'s widow, in recognition of his outstanding commitment to equality during his practice at the Bar and particularly the ways in which he initiated and inspired Stonewall's Europmean case-law strategy during the 1990s.

BLAGG is regularly contacted by academics and practitioners across Europe and beyond either for advice or for contacts by those either moving to or visiting Britain. BLAGG has also joined with LAGLA in organising several one-day conferences covering a wide range of lesbian and gay issues - employment, fostering and adoption, crime and marriage and partnerships. Like many of the other Bar associations, BLAGG has a full social programme particularly at the start of the academic year when BVC students and pupils are 'finding their feet' in the profession. A formal dinner in one of the Inns may be added to the regular parties at the end of this year. But - most of all - BLAGG exists to support lesbians and gay men at whatever stage they are in the profession, whether or not they are 'out' and whether they want to enjoy the social side or are just seeking information and advice. We would encourage anyone who wants to do so to get in touch. Please contact us by e-mail at blagg_uk@yahoo.co.uk or via the the contact details on the Equal Opportunities page of the Bar Council's web-site - www.barcouncil.org.uk