London—On 9 May 2018, Dentons' UK-based LGBT+ and allies network, GLOW, hosted a multi-faith panel discussion in London on the challenges faced by LGBT+ people of faith, in partnership with the NatWest Rainbow Network and Mazars.

Dentons partner Celia Gardiner spoke about her experiences as a practising Roman Catholic and active church musician who also identifies as a lesbian. Alongside Celia were Tamoor Ali of BP, a practising Muslim awarded “Stonewall Role Model of the Year” in 2015; Naomi Bloomer, who is Jewish and identifies as non-binary, bringing a wealth of experience from their time volunteering with KeshetUK (a charity working to ensure no one has to choose between their Jewish and their LGBT+ identities); and Lindsay Pentelow, a tax partner at Mazars. Lindsay, who is bisexual, spoke passionately about the desperate harm which can be caused where church groupings reject those who are LGBT+ and, in particular, the impact of this on young LGBT+ people growing up in these churches. The event was chaired by Rishi Madlani, a Hindu and Global Co-Chair of the NatWest Rainbow Network.

Brian Kennedy, co-chair of Dentons' GLOW network in the UK, said, "We organised this event to provide a supportive forum for those struggling to reconcile their religious and LGBT+ identities, and for other members of the LGBT+ community and allies wanting to better understand these issues and support LGBT+ people of faith, regardless of individual religious beliefs. The event generated lively and interesting discussions, as well as some heart-breaking stories, but with ultimately very positive messages about combining faith with a LGBT+ identity."

Established in 2015, GLOW has become an important, highly visible feature of Dentons in the UK, hosting both internal and external events, informing colleagues and initiating policy changes to ensure an LGBT-inclusive culture. GLOW was recently recognised as one of the top ten LGBT+ networks in the UK by the prestigious British LGBT Awards 2018.

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