Michael Kirby Openly-gay former Australian High Court Justice Michael Kirby has helped launch a new glbti law students’ group at Auckland University. Kirby is a human rights advocate and Vice Patron of the New Zealand AIDS Foundation, who regularly speaks out against discrimination and for diversity. He spoke at a gathering at Simpson Grierson’s offices last night, marking the launch of Auckland University’s first ever lgbti group for law students. Kirby has told NZ Lawyer that the legal profession in particular has been slow to accept diversity and this has added to anxiety levels in an already high-stress job. “Lawyers tend to be a bit more reserved, and they have to keep the secrets of their clients…therefore lawyers work in a culture where they have to be prudent and discreet, and I think that adds to [it],” he says. Kirby added it was vital for that lgbti students have a network of support and the spirit of a community where they can get together. “It’s been slow to happen. They’ve had “OUTLaw” organisations in the US and Canada for 20 or 30 years, and the fact that we’re still developing this in Australia and New Zealand is a sign of the times [here],” he says. Kirby also had morning tea with staff, led a "Dean for a Day" student forum and gave a lecture on his life in the law.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Tuesday, 5th August 2014 - 1:35pm