Outgoing master of the rolls speaks of the discrimination he faced being an openly gay senior judge
Inspiring affirmation from Sir Terence Etherton in message on anti-discrimination and embracing inclusivity.
Britain’s first openly gay senior judge, Sir Terence Etherton, made the decision to never hide his sexuality, with the view to being role model for others.
In his valedictory speech he spoke about his decision to be transparent and honest, specifically to be inspiring to many new lawyers. His honesty also helps to increase diversity and combat discrimination and prejudice in the profession.
Sir Terence Etherton said: ‘I hope that I have kept my promise to myself and have been, if at all possible, a role model. Because my experience is that role models have a greater impact than anything else,’ he said.
To show how things have (hopefully) changed, until the 1990s there was a covert rule that gay men would not be appointed to the bench. This was because it was believed they would be vulnerable to blackmail.
We welcome 2021 in a spirit of inclusion and celebration of diversity.