In July this year the Faculty of Law was able to send several students to the Prisme Conference hosted by the Canadian Association of LGBTQ2S+ Lawyers. This annual conference is an opportunity for LGBTQ2S+ legal professionals to network, share information and best practices, and advance LGBTQ2S+ rights in Canada and globally. This year the conference was held in Ottawa, Ontario and had attendees from all over Canada and from around the world.
Students attended panel discussions regarding domestic legal issues, diversity and intersectional identity, and international legal issues. They also participated in breakout sessions on more specific topics, such as test case litigation, leadership in the legal profession, refugee law, pro bono work, and more. Outside of the conference, students attended social events, explored the city of Ottawa, and visited the Supreme Court of Canada. Pictured above are two of the UVic Law students who attended the conference – Steven Taylor (3L JD) and Qilat Roxas (2L JD/JID). When asked about the conference, Steven said “It felt very powerful to see so many 2SLGBTQ+ legal professionals gathered in the same place. It’s reassuring to learn that we have similar experiences in this profession and that we all have the same goal of protecting 2SLGBTQ+ rights. The Prisme conference is a fantastic opportunity for students to learn from experienced legal professionals and to connect with other advocates and OUTLaws groups. I look forward to attending the conference in Halifax next year!”