Resource helps lawyers deliver inclusive and equitable justice: CBA president Lynne Vicars
The Canadian Bar Association has announced the release of its self-paced training module called “Trans Module 101 – Understanding Gender Diversity and Inclusion” to celebrate the Transgender Day of Visibility on Mar. 31.
A news release from the CBA said that the new training module seeks to equip lawyers, judges, law students, and other legal practitioners with the factual knowledge and practical tools to more deeply understand gender diversity and improve services for trans and gender-diverse individuals.
“This training provides a unique opportunity for legal professionals to learn directly from members of the trans and gender-diverse communities about the challenges they face and the support they need,” said Lynne Vicars, CBA president, in the news release.
“By centring the voices and experiences of those most affected, Trans Module 101 helps ensure our profession is better equipped to deliver justice that is truly inclusive and equitable,” Vicars added in the CBA’s news release.
“This is about empowering legal practitioners to be proactive allies and advocates for justice,” said Lee Nevens, CBA gender diversity advisory group chairperson and CBA British Columbia president, in the news release.
The CBA’s news release said that the training module aims to assist legal professionals in serving trans and gender-diverse clients with competence, fairness, respect, empathy, and integrity and offering these clients informed, compassionate, and effective legal support.
“Legal professionals have a responsibility to treat all clients fairly and uphold the principles of justice for everyone,” Nevens said in the CBA’s news release. “This training provides them with the tools to do just that.”
In its news release, the CBA stressed the value of this training module in these times when trans rights are in the spotlight more and more and misinformation is spreading. The CBA noted that trans and gender-diverse people are up against systemic barriers when dealing with the legal system.
“In today’s climate, where there are increasing attempts to roll back even modest gains in trans rights and inclusion, this training is more vital than ever,” Nevens said in the CBA’s news release.
The CBA offers its new training module for free on its website. It also provides a new infographic on sexual and gender identity and recommended best practices for legal practice.
“During my term as CBA President, I made it a priority to address the inequalities and discrimination experienced by trans, non-binary and gender diverse people in Canada,” said Steeves Bujold, CBA president for 2022–23, in the news release.
“I’m happy to see this training being launched today, as I see it as an important step towards upholding our duty to defend and protect the rights of everyone in our society, especially the most disadvantaged people with the greatest need,” Bujold added in the CBA’s news release.
This coming year, the CBA expects to offer more training modules addressing the substantive law affecting trans and gender-diverse clients and recommended practices for firms and legal employers.
