Essex law firm sponsors local LGBTQ+ Rugby team

Birkett Long is pleased to announce its support of Colchester Kings RFC, East Anglia’s first gay and inclusive rugby team, as kit sponsor.

Established in June 2022, the team aims to give queer people and their allies a safe space to participate in team sports whilst eliminating homophobia and transphobia in rugby by reducing barriers to join in team sports. This ambition leads them to support the LGBTQ+ community by promoting inclusion and participation in a welcoming and friendly environment.

The partnership is an organic one for Birkett Long, as Colchester Kings’ values of equality, diversity and inclusion reflect the firm’s own values. 

Community is at the heart of Birkett Long, which has a history of actively supporting the LGBTQ+ community. In addition to running a number of LGBTQ+ focused webinars and publishing regular blogs focused on helping those in the community tackle legal issues that affect them, the firm has a high profile presence at local Pride events every year. You will always see employees cheering on the Kings and handing out crowns at Kings matches…whatever the weather!

The commitment is demonstrable and ingrained at every level as a number of the firm’s staff completed LGBTQ+ awareness training for businesses offered by local charity The OutHouse. The Divorce and Family team also witness signatures on statutory declarations for gender recognition certificates for free.

Birkett Long’s Head of Marketing, Jennie Skingsley, said: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to support the Colchester Kings Rugby team and are so proud to see our logo on the team kit at matches. We understand what it means to the players to put on the kit and we’re right there with them. It’s a vital part of showing our commitment to supporting the LGBTQ+ community throughout the year - we don’t just put a rainbow on our website for Pride month!”  

Samuel Biscoe, Chairperson of Colchester Kings Rugby team said: “We’re delighted to have Birkett Long as a sponsor for our inaugural year. Having a local firm that is visibly engaged in our community is really important to us and we’re delighted with the support that they have given us since we established the team last year. We look forward to a long and engaging partnership as the club enters the International Gay Rugby league this September.”