According to the foundation’s announcement, Jensen is a human rights lawyer known for his advocacy for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, in particular for trans and gender-diverse youth. He is currently the director of legal at Egale Canada.
“Bennett is one of the most respected 2SLGBTQIA+ advocates and leaders in Canada,” says Gerald Chan, the foundation’s board chair, in the announcement. “At a time when it is often unpopular and even unsafe to do so, Bennett has prominently led some of the most significant human rights wins for 2SLGBTQIA+ people, mobilized a coalition of new advocates and allies, and generated awareness and understanding about 2SLGBTQIA+ people and their lived experience.”
Before joining Egale, Jensen was a policy adviser and later a director of litigation for the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada. He began his career as a litigator at Paul Weiss in New York City, where he served as deputy head of the firm’s pro bono practice.
According to the announcement, Jensen has been at the forefront of some of Canada’s most important 2SLGBTQIA+-related legal actions, including cases against discriminatory policies that target gender-diverse youth.
Jensen earned his bachelor of laws and bachelor of civil law from McGill University and is a member of the Ontario and New York State bars. The Guthrie Award Medal will be presented at a private reception later this year.