Pride@Blakes | Blakes

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A diverse bar is a more competent bar.^† We agree.

In this regard, Blakes and our members are involved in a wide variety of organizations and initiatives:

519 Summary Advice Clinic
519 Summary Advice Clinic is a free drop-in legal advice clinic in Toronto for low-income members of the LGBTQ+ community.

AIDS Committee of Toronto
AIDS Committee of Toronto is a community-based, charitable organization that provides support, HIV prevention and education services for people living with and at risk for HIV.

Casey House
Casey House is a specialty hospital in Toronto that provides compassionate health care to people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS.

Community Pride Activities
Community pride activities in Vancouver, Calgary, Montréal and Toronto.

Diversity and Training Education
Various diversity initiatives and educational opportunities within Blakes.

exeQutive
exeQutive is a forum for LGBTQ+ business leaders.

Family Service Toronto
Family Service Toronto is a key United Way agency dedicated to a range of counselling, advocacy and community development priorities.

Legal Leaders for Diversity

LGBTQ+ in Capital Markets

Pride at Work Canada
Pride at Work Canada is a national umbrella organization dedicated to improving workplace inclusiveness for LGBTQ+ employees across the country.

PrideBuild
PrideBuild is an initiative with Habitat for Humanity in which we partnered with several LGBTQ+ clients to build a home for a family in Scarborough.

Pro Bono Cases
Many pro bono cases for equity-seeking groups, including those with special relevance to LGBTQ+ people across Canada.

Sherbourne Health Centre
Sherbourne Health Centre is a long-standing health services organization serving downtown Toronto (and particularly the LGBTQ+ community).

StartProud
StartProud (formerly Out on Bay Street) is a national association for LGBTQ+ students in law, business and other professional programs.

The Egale Centre
The Egale Centre is the first homeless shelter in Canada for LGBTQ+ youth.

The Trevor Project
The Trevor Project is the world’s leading LGBTQ+ suicide prevention initiative.

^† On June 15, 2018, the Supreme Court of Canada released two landmark decisions that are a significant victory for the LGBTQ+ community. In Trinity Western University v. Law Society of Upper Canada and Law Society of British Columbia v. Trinity Western University, the court ruled in favour of the law societies to ensure the LGBTQ+ community has equal access to legal education and joining the bar. The decisions uphold the law societies’ right to reject graduates of Trinity Western University, a Christian university that prohibits sexual relations among students who fall outside the scope of heterosexual marriage.

Key Contacts:

Bradley E. Berg, FCIArb.

Partner

Marianne Smith

Partner

Brendan MacArthur-Stevens

Associate

Michael Howcroft

Partner

Simon Seida

Partner