53 Naturally, there is a lot of overlap given the outsized influence that the law has on the equality (or lack thereof) afforded to members of the LGBTQ+ community – both at work and more broadly. Although there is so much to improve, I am lucky that I get to work with some of the world’s most open and sophisticated clients, who help to inspire me on how to make all personnel feel valued, even where the law does not always do that. What were your expectations of the law as a member of the LGBTQ+ community? Did you have any specific preconceptions, fears, or concerns and how has that turned out in reality? Roy: Given what might be perceived as career recklessness on my part, I don’t know that I had any perceived notions when I joined this industry in 2011. I mean, much like healthcare, I presumed there would be an element of keeping focus on the work first and foremost with identity/authenticity being secondary. I’ve always felt differently about that notion and have tried to flip it on its head wherever I worked. I believe when we can be our authentic selves, we are free and comfortable to do our best work. I’m glad to see the world catching up to that idea. And honestly, I think I was refreshingly surprised by the firms where I’ve had the privilege to work. Yes, there has always been an element of keeping a professional polish on everything, but I have also found in law, a great joy in celebrating our own quirks and eccentricities and differences. I feel like that’s where the marketing magic really lies. And thereby one can execute some really fascinating storytelling to promote one’s chosen organization. Jeremy: Unfortunately, even in the most liberal countries, the law does not always afford equal rights to the LGBTQ+ community. This is obviously even more true in countries that do not actively provide equality for LGBTQ+ people. It is therefore imperative that those with the knowledge and opportunity to use the law as a tool for social justice, work to advance equal rights under law. In Israel, almost all of the legal rights afforded to the LGBTQ+ community have come through hard-fought battles in the courts. Indeed, the Knesset has advanced legislation to ‘equalize’ the LGBTQ+ community on only a couple of occasions (most recently for the tragic need to recognize the same-sex partner of a fallen soldier as being entitled to the rights otherwise afforded to heterosexual partners of fallen soldiers).
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjgzNzA=