Referendum Compassion and Courage

New Horizons Webinar

In our upcoming New Horizons Webinar, Tiernan Brady, Political Director of Yes Equality in Ireland and Director of the Equality Campaign in Australia, will join members ‘live’ from London to share his experience from both campaigns and his insights on key approaches to winning a referendum and why positive engagement is key to winning change.

In 2015, 60 percent of Irish voters said yes to same-sex marriage – an astonishing figure for the Catholic nation. Australia followed in 2017, again with more than 60% of the voters saying yes to marriage equality.

Since 1906, Australia has held 44 constitutional referendums, only eight of which have been carried. In 2023, Australians will be asked to vote for a Voice to Parliament. Tiernan will share ideas on engagement and respectful conversations as Australia prepares for its 45th referendum.

An interactive Q&A session with Tiernan will take place after the presentation.

Our speakers

Tiernan Brady

Global Director of Inclusion – Clifford Chance

Tiernan Brady is one of the most prominent and successful international LGBTI rights and equality campaigners today. He has been integral in delivering marriage equality in Ireland and Australia, and he is now the Global Director of Inclusion at Clifford Chance.

Tiernan has designed a successful campaign approach to inclusion, diversity and equity that focuses on building positive change that creates harmony and social cohesion. This approach is built on the principle that the true inclusion victory for people is not about defeating others, but persuading them. This means how we campaign for equality is just as important as why we campaign. He believes polarising campaigns do not create the real change that people need even when they win. While it may change the law or workplace rules it will also damage the social fabric and the daily lives of people and workplace cultures in its wake. The approach was to be respectful and positive, avoiding angry debates with the activists from the opponents of equality.

His work in Australia and Ireland on equality and his experience working in politics and global inclusion give him a unique insight into how to make change happen.