Gowling WLG issues Day of Pink challenge to Canadian law firms

06 April 2017

To recognize the International Day of Pink, Gowling WLG team members will once again be donning their pinkest apparel in support of diversity and acceptance on Apr. 12. The firm is also issuing a friendly challenge to other law firms, encouraging them to "think pink" by taking part in the day's activities and making donations to diversity-related organizations.

"Diversity, inclusion and respect are values that Gowling WLG champions fiercely - both at work and in our communities," said Peter Lukasiewicz, CEO of Gowling WLG Canada and chair of the firm's Canadian Diversity and Inclusion Council.

"We'll be proudly supporting the Day of Pink cause and wearing our best pink outfits on Apr. 12. We hope our colleagues at other law firms follow suit and help us take a collectively strong stance against bullying and discrimination."

To mark the event, Gowling WLG is planning a number of activities and workshops in its offices across Canada and around the world. The firm will also be making charitable donations to a number of essential, diversity-related initiatives, including the Lesbian Gay Bi Trans Youth Line, OK2BME and The 519.

The International Day of Pink began in 2007 when two high school students from Nova Scotia witnessed a gay classmate - who was wearing a pink shirt - being bullied for his outfit and his sexual orientation. The students purchased pink shirts and encouraged everyone at their school to wear pink in solidarity, sparking an important conversation and proving that, by standing together, prejudice can be challenged and bullying can be stopped.

Since then, the Day of Pink has become an international event, inspiring schools, workplaces, communities and governments around the world to take a stand against bullying, discrimination, homophobia, transphobia and transmisogyny. Each year, on the second Wednesday of April, millions of people wear pink as a symbol of their shared belief in diversity and acceptance.

Diversity and inclusion are an integral part of Gowling WLG's culture. Guided by a Diversity and Inclusion Strategy, the firm is a proud member of the Law Firm Diversity and Inclusion Network, and was the first Canadian law firm to receive the Starbucks International Excellence in Diversity Award. Gowling WLG has also been listed among the Best Employers in Canada since 2010.