Allison Bailey

Allison Elaine Bailey (born 1970) is a retired British barrister and a co-founder of the LGB Alliance. During her legal career, working in London, England, she specialised in criminal defence law. Bailey initiated an employment tribunal claim against her legal chambers and Stonewall in 2020, winning her case against her former employers. The case attracted public and media attention, particularly in relation to the Diversity Champions programme. She announced her retirement from the Bar and resignation from her chambers on her website effective 31 March 2023.

Quotes

• There are many of us within the LGBT community who fully support trans rights but who do not support the trans extremism which is currently being advocated by Stonewall and others. I emphatically object to any formal association with Stonewall.
  • From an email as (December 2018) cited in "Allison Bailey was unlawfully victimised for opposing Stonewall's 'trans extremism', tribunal rules", The Telegraph (27 July 2022)
  • Ms Bailey opposed her then employer, Garden Court Chambers, becoming a Stonewall Diversity Champion. At an employment tribunal, Ms Bailey won her claim for discrimination against her gender critical beliefs.

• This win demonstrated the discrimination and aggravated discrimination to which I personally was subjected by a set of barristers who define and present themselves as defenders of human rights, but it also demonstrated the institutional approaches and beliefs that cause that discrimination to arise - as is now being demonstrated in other cases brought by other women against other institutions.
  • As cited in "Gender-critical barrister wins top payout as judge issues stinging criticism of chambers", The Telegraph (7 July 2022)
  • Ms Bailey was awarded £22,000 in aggravated damages.

About Allison Bailey

• Any ideology that cannot be questioned is dangerous and yet that is how Stonewall have infiltrated so many of our institutions.
  In picking on Bailey they have found a woman who has fought her entire life. Is this really a good look, Stonewall? Trying to destroy a black lesbian?
  We watch agog. Bailey, like any other woman, gay or straight, can think what the hell she likes. Is she really your enemy, Stonewall? Seriously, who do you represent now?
  • Suzanne Moore "If Stonewall doesn't represent a woman like Allison Bailey, then who is it for?", The Telegraph (26 April 2022)

• Lesbian Visibility Week starts today in the UK. A good moment to salute the resilience and courage of my inspirational friend. #IStandWithAllisonBailey
  • J.K. Rowling tweet (25 April 2022), as cited in Gabriella Swerling "JK Rowling praises ‘resilience and courage’ of lesbian barrister suing Stonewall", The Telegraph (25 June 2022)

• That a gay rights charity stands accused of discriminating against a black lesbian illustrates how wrong it is to assume the rights and interests of all LGBTQ+ people perfectly align. Of course, that has not stopped white men telling Bailey that her concept of womanhood is not only wrong, it makes her a bigot.
  • Sonia Sodha "When it comes to race and gender, oppressed people can be oppressors too", The Observer (14 February 2021)