The possible forms of professionalism: credibility and the performance of queer sexualities among barristers in England and Wales |
| |
Authors: | MARC MASON STEVEN VAUGHAN BENJAMIN WEIL |
| |
Institution: | 1. School of Law, University of Westminster, 412 Little Titchfield Street, London, W1W 7BY, England;2. Faculty of Laws, University College London, Bentham House, Endsleigh Gardens, London, WC1H 0EG, England;3. Department of Science and Technology Studies, University College London, 22 Gordon Square, London, WC1H 0AW, England |
| |
Abstract: | This article constitutes the first account of sexual minority barristers’ experience of and relation to professionalism at the Bar. Drawing on survey and interview data, it presents the Bar as a site of heteronormativity, where masculinist heterosexuality is pervasively assumed and publicly valorized. The ‘credible’ barrister – authoritative, respected, competent – is constructed as heterosexual. In this context, sexual minority barristers risk a loss of credibility in coming out or being out in the workplace. Our data presents mechanisms by which these individuals manage the public expression of their sexuality. Some – in contrast to heterosexual colleagues – deny entirely the professional relevance of their sexuality. Others adopt assimilationist strategies, curating a ‘credible’ public persona: out, but otherwise conforming to heteronormative expectations and values. While the data includes exceptions that give cause for hope, many sexual minority barristers experience professionalism as pressure to render their sexuality effectively invisible, at significant cost personally and professionally. |
| |
Keywords: | |
|
|