The global pride event will be held in the southern hemisphere for the first time
Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) has been announced as the principal legal partner for WorldPride 2023.
The festival, which has been described by the firm as the largest pride celebration in the world and the biggest global event in Sydney since borders were reopened, will take place in the southern hemisphere for the first time next year.
“When I became a partner in 2007, I founded our first LGBT+ network (IRIS), one of the first such networks of any international law firm. Now, here I am, some 15 years later, announcing that we are the principal legal partner of Sydney WorldPride. It’s just remarkable how far we have come,” CEO Justin D’Agostino said.
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D’Agostino himself made history as the first openly gay CEO of a major international law firm when he took the helm in May 2020. He pointed out that the firm has backed the marriage equality debate and assisted in tackling legal discrimination against the LGBT+ community across various jurisdictions.
Two team members from HSF’s global offices will be given the chance to attend Sydney WorldPride, including the first WorldPride Human Rights Conference in the APAC region.
“Major events require huge legal expertise and can be challenging to manage for commercial festivals, let alone a not-for-profit like Sydney WorldPride, so we are extremely grateful for the continued advice and support that Herbert Smith Freehills provides as our principal legal partner,” Sydney WorldPride CEO Kate Wickett said.
In addition to IRIS, HSF assisted the launch of the Pinnacle Foundation, which it also supports pro bono. The firm also reviewed Commonwealth legislation to help the Human Rights Law Centre determine where same-sex couples were discriminated against.