Clayton Utz collaborates with KPMG to publish LGBTIQ+ inclusion guide

Clayton Utz has collaborated with KPMG to publish I voted yes, what’s next?, a practical guide for organisations on how they can be active allies for LGBTIQ+ inclusion.

The release of the report follows the conclusion of a workshop that explored the state of ally engagement in Australia and how employers can improve ally engagement and inclusion for their LGBTIQ+ staff. The workshop was jointly hosted by the two firms earlier this year and saw participation from 10 organisations.

Clayton Utz considers allyship to be a crucial part of its existing LGBTIQ+ program, and more than 400 of the firm’s employees consider themselves to be active allies.

“We want to encourage more people to be active allies and show their support in tangible ways,” said Phil Bisset, Clayton Utz partner and chair of the Brisbane LGBTIQ+ committee. “As a parent and relative of teenagers and young adults who identify as part of the LGBTIQ+ community, I see firsthand the enormous contribution that various allies have made to their lives.”

According to the I voted yes, what’s next? report, individuals and organisations may not be certain of what defines an “active ally.” Moreover, visible allyship declined in the lead up to and after the marriage equality postal survey was conducted.

To assist organisations that are only just beginning to incorporate allyship into their diversity and inclusion initiatives, Bisset said that the report categorised practical actions under four themes: visibility, education, empowerment and engagement, and advocacy.

“Each considers where organisations may be at currently on their LGBTIQ+ inclusion path, and what constitutes being a leader in this area,” he explained. “It’s about giving organisations a benchmark and practical tools so they can measure their progress, at whatever stage their allyship network is at.”

The collaboration marks another step in Clayton Utz’s longstanding support of the LGBTIQ+ community. The firm is a member of Pride in Diversity and was named an AWEI Gold Employer for three consecutive years (2017 to 2020); in 2021, the firm attained Platinum Qualified status.

“We’re proud of our progress to date – and we want to make sure we’re part of continuing to drive the conversation and be part of the solution to promoting greater LGBTIQ+ inclusion in the workplace,” said Alison Woolsey, director of diversity and inclusion.