Pride and Prejudices: Keio Yoshida on Queer Lives and the Law

Pride and Prejudices: Queer Lives and the Law is the latest addition to our Activist Lawyer Book Club, and it’s the perfect pick for this month. Author and human rights lawyer Keio Yoshida sat down with host Sarah Henry to discuss the inspiration behind their second book and their journey into human rights law.

During a recent trip to Belfast to promote the book, we had the privilege of sitting down with Keio, who generously took time out of their busy schedule to chat with us.

Keio, along with Sarah, reflected on the progression of LGBTQ+ rights in Ireland, focusing on major milestones like marriage equality and landmark cases that marked a turning point.

Keio’s book offers an insightful, compassionate, and deeply informative look at the law. It covers both the setbacks and successes in the fight for queer rights, while also highlighting personal stories that shed light on the ongoing struggles queer people face due to discrimination and gaps in legal protections. From family life and identity rights to IVF and surrogacy, the book paints a raw picture of the challenges many LGBTQ+ individuals continue to encounter in their daily lives.

Keio Yoshida

Keio’s journey to becoming an international human rights lawyer was driven by a desire to use the law as a tool for positive change. When asked about advice for those looking to follow a similar path, Keio shared valuable insights: be aware of your peers and colleagues—many of them may become future collaborators or opponents. Along with that, Keio stressed the importance of hard work, dedication, and staying focused on your goals.

Keio’s book is now available for purchase at all major retailers and will be featured in November’s Activist Lawyer Book Club.

To listen to the full episode of the podcast, click here.