On February 11th I was a panelist at Baker McKenzie’s very first client-facing LGBT-event, together with Maria Irvin (VP Talent & Development, Upstream at Shell) and Janet Visbeen (Partner and member Tax & Legal Board at PwC Netherlands). We had a very engaged audience and a lively discussion on the following statements:
1. In order to foster LGBT inclusion, the firm’s commitment to LGBT equality should be embedded in all corporate & internal communications.
2. Any company that claims to take LGBT rights seriously must be prepared to lose clients who are not (or educate them).
3. Only organizations that foster a climate of diversity, inclusiveness and trust can have strong and lasting position in the market.
