What is the LGBT+ network?
The network allows our LGBT+ members to connect, share experiences and raise awareness of the importance of diversity in the magistracy.
The MA’s LGBT+ network has four main aims:
- Create an inclusive environment within the MA, where LGBT+ members feel welcomed.
- Provide opportunities for LGBT+ magistrates to network with their peers across England and Wales.
- Start conversations to address the issues affecting, and advocate on the behalf of the MA’s LGBT+ magistrates and other LGBT+ court users.
- Advise, inform, and work with MA HQ on the creation of routes to the recruitment and fair representation of LGBT+ magistrates.
Join the network
Everyone who identifies as LGBT+ in the preference centre of their MA account is added to our mailing list for the LGBT+ network. You can unsubscribe at any time. All data is held confidentially.
Who we are
Supported by the MA staff team, the network is organised and run by MA members using an informal, collective model. Our regular drop-in sessions allow members to meet, discuss the issues they have faced and brainstorm ideas to make the magistracy more inclusive.
The LGBT+ network also elects two representatives to the diversity and inclusion policy committee. These representatives attend drop-in sessions and take forward the ideas from the network to the committee.
Our achievements
Since its launch in January 2020, the LGBT+ network:
- Spoke to Liverpool City Region’s Pride Foundation in December 2020 and the Judicial Office in February 2021 to raise awareness of the role of the magistracy and the importance of LGBT+ representation.
- Surveyed network members in 2021 to better understand their experiences of and challenges faced while sitting on the bench.
- Shared experiences of volunteering as magistrates in a blog for Volunteers’ Week
- Held an inaugural conference in November 2021, which was attended by around 100 members. Lord Etherton (the first openly gay senior judge) and Master Victoria McCloud (the first openly trans judge) spoke on their journeys to the senior judiciary.
- Represented the MA in the media to encourage others to apply to be and/or to support their employees to serve as magistrates and to emphasise the importance of benches reflecting the communities they serve.
- Contributed to increasing the visibility of LGBT+ magistrates by participating in social media campaigns for LGBT History, Transgender Day of Visibility, the International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia and Pride.
Get in touch
If you have any questions or want to confidentially share your experiences, please email us. We welcome enquiries from members and non-members alike.