New South Wales barrister Lindsay Ellison SC has been dismissed from his role as chair of a legal committee in relation to his comments on gender pronouns.

The case is similar to that of HRLA client Jillian Spencer, who was likewise disciplined over the question of “preferred pronouns”.

During a meeting of the committee, Mr Ellison questioned the use of the term “Mx,” a title for non-binary individuals, as mentioned in a practice note by NSW Supreme Court Chief Justice Andrew Bell.

Following the meeting, NSW Bar Association President Ruth Higgins SC contacted Mr Ellison and counselled him on the importance of inclusive language and respect for individuals' chosen pronouns.

It had come to the attention of Ms Higgins that Mr Ellison had listed “HeHaw HeHaw Ha Ha Ha” as his pronouns on his professional profile.

Despite initially agreeing to step down, Mr Ellison later decided he wanted to fulfil his term, citing upcoming responsibilities and opportunities to contribute further.

However, Ms Higgins declined his request and he has been prevented from seeing out his term as chair of the committee.

This is a clear attack on freedom of speech.

It is clear from Mr Ellison’s blurb on his legal profile that he uses a comical, lighthearted approach to communicate personal information:

“The blurb of Mr Ellison’s Wardell Chambers profile includes a series of jokes, including that he has ‘no interest in sailing, skiing, golf, cooking or learning a foreign language and does not own a winery’.

‘He does not wish to achieve a work/life balance. Lindsay doesn’t smoke. Nor does he drink tea, coffee or alcohol. He eats too much chocolate. He knows nothing about cars or sport. He is one of the least interesting persons you might ever meet,’ it reads.

Lindsay has made over 600 donations to the Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service. He recommends you do the same. His philosophy is that if you draw blood, the least you can do is to give some back.”

Increasingly, regulatory bodies are punishing professionals who don’t conform to radical LGBT identity politics.

HRLA client and child psychiatrist Dr Jillian Spencer was disciplined for not using “preferred pronouns”. The case of Dr Jereth Kok, who was penalised by the medical board for his private social media posts, is another recent example of ideological regulators policing the speech of their members.

Regulatory bodies are administrative organisations established to regulate members of the profession to which they correspond. Yet in recent years, there are increasing examples of these organisations penalising individuals for their personal beliefs and values rather than for how they carry their occupations.

HRLA provides assistance to everyday Australians being pressured by their employers in similar ways.