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Diversity champions Stonewall have applauded five individuals as heroes of the year, and the list includes lawyer Natalie Gamble of MSI's South Coast law firm member, Lester Aldridge LLP.
Stonewall have commended Natalie for being prominent in the campaign to secure equal legal recognition for same-sex families and an end to discrimination against lesbians in fertility treatment, recognising Natalie’s defence of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill during its passage through Parliament.
The Bill gives new recognition to gay and lesbian parents conceiving through surrogacy and donor insemination, but was hotly opposed in both the House of Lords and House of Commons. Natalie has been an active voice in the debate, speaking in favour of the proposed changes in the Houses of Parliament, on national radio and television and in the national press.
Natalie is an associate with law firm Lester Aldridge LLP, and advises clients from all over the world on the legal implications of starting a family through fertility treatment. Recognised as the UK’s leading expert in fertility law, many of Natalie’s clients are gay men conceiving through surrogacy or lesbian couples conceiving with sperm donors. She is also herself a mum of two donor conceived children, and in debating the law was able to speak positively of her own personal experience of starting a family with her same sex partner.
Partner Geoff Thomas, Head of Private Client at Lester Aldridge LLP, says “Natalie’s prestigious national nomination by Stonewall demonstrates that, as lawyers, we can make a difference on issues we feel passionate about. We are immensely proud of Natalie’s important work and of her recognition as a leading expert in this cutting edge area of the law. We are delighted that Stonewall has nominated her as Hero of the Year.”
The other nominees for Hero of the Year include the Right Reverend Gene Robinson, Bishop of New Hampshire, and Brian Paddick, the Liberal Democrat candidate for mayor of London. The overall winner will be announced at a glittering awards ceremony at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London on 6 November.
For more information
Please contact Elaine McDaid at Lester Aldridge LLP
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