Pinsent Masons hosts exhibition supporting LGBT rights across the Commonwealth

The exhibition, 'Queer Commonwealth: Faces of the LGBT movement', is a series of photographs taken by Hackney-based photographer Eivind Hansen and commissioned by UK-based LGBTI human rights organisation Kaleidoscope Trust. The images showcase 33 members of the Commonwealth Equality Network (TCEN), a network of organisations working to challenge inequality in the Commonwealth based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

David Isaac, chair of the diversity steering group at Pinsent Masons, said: "The powerful photographs capture portraits of leading champions for LGBT equality from across the Commonwealth, who work tirelessly to make their societies more inclusive. With 36 out of 53 Commonwealth countries still maintaining laws that make same-sex intimacy between men a crime, we are proud to support the important work of the Kaleidoscope Trust that helps ensure the concerns and the rights of the Commonwealth's LGBT people are heard and represented."

Making its debut this week to coincide with the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), the photo series features subjects from Namibia and Barbados, Malaysia and Malta, Australia, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Sri Lanka and many more. This year's CHOGM sees the largest contingent of LGBTI activists participating, with ambitious plans hoping to effect change globally.

"I've always wanted my work to represent a positive change in the world. Photographing people within the LGBTI spectrum has become something that's very important to me," said photographer Eivind Hansen. "I hope the photos can create more visibility around LGBTI people and their struggle for equality in the countries they come from."

"As a founding member and Secretariat of The Commonwealth Equality Network, Kaleidoscope Trust strongly believes in joint advocacy," said Executive Director of Kaleidoscope Trust, Paul Dillane. "These photos celebrate the vibrancy, positivity and diversity of LGBTI activists from across the Commonwealth."

'Queer Commonwealth: Faces of the LGBTI Movement' opens for a private viewing at 6.30pm on Tuesday 17 April. Following the private viewing, the exhibition will be open to the public in the main foyer of Pinsent Masons (30 Crown Place, London, EC2A 4ES) until Friday 20 April.

To obtain media accreditation for the private viewing, contact [email protected].