Carson McDowell unites in diversity to support Belfast Pride 2022
Belfast Pride 2022, a celebration of the LGBT+ community, returned to the city on Saturday 30th July with Carson McDowell employees, friends and family members taking part and supporting the parade for the first time.
Carson McDowell is Northern Ireland's largest independent law firm, employing over 200 people in their Belfast and Dublin offices. The firm strives to ensure it is a great place to work by placing utmost importance on employee wellbeing and support. Over recent years they have made considerable advances in their ambition to create a more diverse and inclusive workplace for their colleagues, which was recognised in their recent award of a Bronze Diversity Mark by Diversity Mark NI.
In line with the parade theme of 'Community - United in Diversity', Carson McDowell invited employees along with their friends and family to join them for a family fun morning at their Belfast office before setting off to support and walk in the Belfast Parade. The firm joined other professionals in the legal sector, including The Law Society of Northern Ireland and The Lawyers with Pride network.
Neasa Quigley, Senior Partner and Chair of the firm's Diversity & Inclusion committee, said,
As Carson McDowell continues to grow and evolve, we are committed to maintaining a truly inclusive workplace where diversity, equity and belonging is promoted and embedded in our culture, supported by relevant employee training and policies and of course by participating in events such as Belfast Pride.
Being an inclusive law firm also makes business sense. It is a key consideration for employees and potential recruits, and it ensures our people are heard and supported. In turn, this helps promote creativity, increase productivity, boost engagement and foster stronger client relationships.
Belfast Pride is the biggest LGBT+ Festival on the island of Ireland and packs in over 150 events across ten days. It is a significant community effort organised by a committee of volunteers and networks who work alongside contractors and artists to give the LGBT+ community in Belfast the biggest platform of the year to make a stand for equality and celebrate lives and culture.
Neasa added,
The efforts of the organisers and volunteers behind Belfast Pride should be applauded. We thoroughly enjoyed taking part for the first time and look forward to participating again in 2023.
