23 Nov 2023
FORWARD Winter Event 2023: Pinkwashing
On Thursday 23 November 2023, FORWARD hosted its Winter Event at Canary Club in Amsterdam with an informative session about Pinkwashing. Many companies and other organizations say they are committed to LGBTQIA+ diversity and inclusion. But are they really, or do they just have a rainbow logo on their LinkedIn profile during Pride? Bete van Meeuwen and Pepper Wering shined their view on the phenomenon of Pinkwashing. Afterwards there were drinks and bites.
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02 Aug 2023
FORWARD Pride Event 2023
On Wednesday, 2 August 2023, FORWARD hosted its annual Pride event. This year we celebrated Pride with a network event at Brug34 in Amsterdam.
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08 Jun 2023
FORWARD Event: LGBTQIA+-inclusion in the sports world
On Thursday, 8 June 2023, Forward hosted a panel discussion at LAB111 in Amsterdam. The theme of the evening was LGBTQIA+-inclusion in the sports world. It was prompted by recent developments, especially in the soccer world, such as Orkun Kökcü's refusal to wear the One Love band during matches. During the panel discussion, led by Eveline Rethmeider, the panel members Michiel van Dijk (Partner CMS), Pepijn Keppel (former professional field hockey player and author) and a delegation of Roze Supporters shared their views.
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12 Apr 2023
FORWARD Spring Event 2023: Movie Concerned Citizen
On Wednesday, 12 April 2023, FORWARD hosted its spring event at Ketelhuis in Amsterdam. During this event we watched the movie Concerned Citizen. This movie tells the story of an Israeli couple living in a multicultural neighbourhood in Tel Aviv. The couple is confronted with their own prejudices in this sharp and satirical drama. After the movie, there were drinks and bites.
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07 Dec 2022
FORWARD Winter Event 2022: The Rule of Law for Everyone?
On 7 December 2022, FORWARD organised a panel discussion with the theme: The Rule of Law for Everyone? Speakers Ruud Koole, Rob Hofland, Marc Janssens and Han Warmelink gave their views on the rule of law and the limits of public debate, hosted by Eveline Rethmeier.
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21 Apr 2022
Spring event 2022: non-traditional families - (legal) challenges in 2022
It was so nice to see each other again in person after two years. The FORWARD Spring Event was well attended and we would like to thank everyone who was there. During this event, Sara Coster of "Stichting Meer dan Gewens"t and employment lawyer Loes Wever spoke about the legal challenges that non-traditional family forms still face in 2022. It was an inspiring evening and made us all think. What can I do within my organization to give non-traditional families the space they need?
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16 Nov 2021
FORWARD gives workshops genderinclusive language - Interview Advocatie
The call for gender-inclusive language is getting louder, but the legal jargon is lagging behind, conclude Boudewijn Smit (Chairman of the Advisory Board FORWARD) and David den Blaauwen (Board Member FORWARD). They offer law firms training courses on language use in which every target group feels seen. Advocatie interviewed them about these trainings.
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07 Oct 2021
FORWARD 2016 - 2021: the first lustrum
Time flies when you are having fun! This year marks the fifth anniversary of the Legal LGBT+ Network FORWARD. After a period of 1.5 years, in which there were no – or only limited – possibilities to get together, FORWARD organised a lustrum event with guest speakers sprekers Barbara Barend ((sports)journalist en TV host), Sander van 't Noordende (CEO Randstad, board member Out & Equal) en Zohair El Yassini (member of parliament VVD), met Astrid Oosenbrug (chairperson COC Nederland) as moderator.
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17 Sep 2021
FORWARD gives training on LGBTI+-diversity and inclusion Impact Day Sirius
On 17 September 2021, study association Sirius organized the first edition of the Impact Day. During this day, various socially relevant topics were discussed during lectures and workshops. Lotte van de Leij and David den Blaauwen, both board members at FORWARD, gave a workshop on LGBTI+ diversity and inclusion.
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07 Nov 2019
FORWARD Fall Event: unconscious bias training (ROSE Stories & Nina Blussé) & networking event
On November 7, 2019, FORWARD organized, an interactive training on unconscious bias in collaboration with ROSE Stories and Nina Blussé, at The Hoxton. During the training, the participants were introduced to their own brain and their unconscious bias in an interactive way. They have gained insight into the process of unconscious prejudices, and the effect thereof on daily thinking and doing, also on the work floor.
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11 Oct 2019
International Coming Out Day Event 2019
On International Coming Out Day, FORWARD and Lawyers for Lawyers organized a special event with guest speakers Michel Togué (human rights lawyer and activist from Cameroon) and Boris Dittrich (member of the Senate). Michel and Boris spoke about their experience and the challenges in defending LGBTQI+ + rights in an international context. In addition, Corporate Queer (Remco Boxelaar) launched a poster campaign to raise awareness of the meaning of the letters in the LGBTQI+ + alphabet.
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25 Jul 2019
Drinks summer edition 2019
On the hottest day of the year, it couldn't be hot enough during the Gender Neutral Latin Dance Workshop at the FORWARD Summer Event. Dance with him, dance with her, especially dance with everyone! Under the inspiring guidance of Jorge Suarez from Latin Amsterdam and Swing Latino, attendees danced their feet off. Afterwards, the cooling cocktails at Kanarie Club were more than welcome.
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16 May 2019
Drinks spring edition 2019
The LGBTQI+ community has a rich history, also in the Netherlands and certainly in Amsterdam. During the Sharing Stories - LGBTQ + guided tour in the Amsterdam Museum, personal and special stories from the community were told against the background of the beautiful museum collection. Educational and inspiring.
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07 Feb 2019
Drinks winter edition 2019
It is estimated that more than 2 million people in the Netherlands have bisexual feelings, fantasies or experiences, but you rarely hear about it. Time to pay more attention to that. Emiel Maliepaard , the speaker during the winter event, shed light on why bisexuals do not want to come out, but do occasionally want to express themselves as bisexual. He calls it the bisexual (in) visibility paradox , and discussed a number of ways forward to deal with this paradox and how bisexuality can become more visible.
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03 Jan 2019
New composition FORWARD board and events committee
As of 1 January 2019, Lotte van der Leij will be the new chair of our foundation, taking over from Boudewijn Smit. The FORWARD events committee also has a new composition.
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03 Jan 2019
FORWARD Winter Event 2019 on 7 February 2019
Save the date for the FORWARD Winter Event on February 7, 2019. The Winter Event will take place on a spectacular location. More information to follow soon.
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15 Nov 2018
FORWARD is looking for enthusiastic members for the events committee and the board
FORWARD is looking for people who want to get actively involved in FORWARD and organize events. Would you like to join the FORWARD team?
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13 Nov 2018
FORWARD chair Boudewijn Smit is Mr. of the week
Dutch magazine Mr. (which name refers to the Dutch academic title, like LLM, not mister) features a lawyer each week in their column: Mr. of the week. This week it's our chair Boudewijn Smit (1991). Boudewijn works as a lawyer at NautaDutilh, and works to improve LGBTQI+ inclusion within the legal profession. FORWARD recently presented the 'Best practices for LGBTQI+ inclusion in the workplace', a manual with recommendations for companies in the legal sector who want to work on greater LGBTQI+ inclusion.
Read the entire article (Dutch only): https://www.mr-online.nl/mr-van-de-week-boudewijn-smit-over-lhbt-inclusivity-in-de-juridische-wereld/
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05 Nov 2018
Forward network provides guidance for LGBTQI+ inclusivion in the office
Legal LGBTQI+ network FORWARD has released a document with recommendations for a more diverse and inclusive work environment. The 'Best practices for LGBTQI+ inclusivion in the workplace' have been sent to partners and HR managers from all major law firms associated with FORWARD. Although the recommendations also apply to other companies, from diversity training to gender-neutral toilets.
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01 Nov 2018
Drinks fall edition 2018
In fall 2018, FORWARD hosted a private movie screening of the pink rom com "Just Friends" in cult cinema Lab111 in Amsterdam. The screening was preceded by a lecture by Henk Burger, the films screenwriter.
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03 Aug 2018
Rocycle (P)RIDE event
In collaboration with cycling studio Rocycle, FORWARD got sportive for a special (P)RIDE. During a 45-minute workout on Pride beats from the likes of RuPaul, Lady Gaga and Geri Halliwell, trainers Luuk and Joey ensured everyone started the Amsterdam Pride weekend on a high. Cooling down with healthy smoothies included.
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03 Aug 2018
FORWARD launches Mentoring Platform
Today, FORWARD introduces our Mentoring Platform. This platform links individuals working within the legal profession to a confidential basis to a more senior mentor. Law students are also eligible to enroll in the FORWARD Mentoring Platform.
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21 Jun 2018
Drinks summer edition 2018
For solstice, trans women Lisa van Ginneken and Tess Bens shared their experiences about their transition and the challenges they faced. Both women work with Transvisie, a Dutch foundation for gender diversity. It's obvious the T is inextricably linked to other letters of the LGBTI+ community.
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05 Apr 2018
Drinks spring edition 2018
During a tour of Amsterdam zoo Artis, we learned that the animal kingdom shows amazing diversity in gender identity and sexual orientation, Did you know that 25% of the wild flamingos are homosexual? Gay couples build nests which are twice the size of heterosexual couples. Did you also know that 78% of female Japanese macaques are lesbian? For macaques a greeting is all it takes to mount each other? In short, enough conversation starters for the subsequent drinks in Grand Café De Tropen.
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23 Nov 2017
Drinks winter edition 2017
Network event at the College Hotel.
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21 Jun 2017
Drinks summer edition 2017 bij FOAM
Networking event at FOAM with guest speaker Aynouk Tan, a lecturer on fashion and identity. She observes fashion from an anthropological point of view and discusses how the clothes we wear constitutes our identity and perceptions. In her renowned column in Dutch newspaper NRC Handelsblad she weekly dressed herself in a different outfit to physically address these themes.
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31 Jan 2017
A 'pink' lawyer feels particularly like a trusted advisor
Because 'pink' law is a different ball game.
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10 Nov 2016
Drinks winter edition 2016 - W hotel Amsterdam
Network event at the W Hotel with guest speakers twins Marja and Ellie Lust, telling their life stories about growing up, coming to terms with being lesbian and now being advocates for LTBTI+ rights.
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10 Nov 2016
Police sisters Ellie and Marja Lust are hosted by 'pink' lawyers
Pink lawyers can network, exchange experiences and catch up with each other.
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06 Sep 2016
FORWARD wants recognition of diversity within conservative legal profession
Legal network for Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transgenders (LGBTs)
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08 Jun 2016
Blog post 'what lawyers can do for the LGBTQI+ community'
The 'pink' edges of the law: what lawyers can do for the LGBTQI+ community
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25 Apr 2016
Article 'Legal LGBTQI+ network Forward has been founded'
Legal LGBTQI+ network Forward has been founded
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21 Apr 2016
Launch event FORWARD
Opening drink with guest speaker Valentijn de Hingh, a Dutch female fasion model & DJ. From the age of 8 until the age of 17 de Hingh was filmed for the Dutch television program "Valentijn", following her transition.
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18 Apr 2016
Article 'First legal LGBTQI+ network'
First legal LGBTQI+ network: 'Forward is not just for fun'
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