I am delighted with how much Pride has achieved quickly since starting in 2017 and our growth to over 300+ members and allies. It’s because of this commitment to action that we developed our Pride Employee Resource Group (ERG) group’s theme, ‘Building Community: Pride in Action.’
Here is how Gilbane and our Pride ERG show our pride in action, not just once a month but throughout the year.
Community Service
Pride is critical in creating brave, inclusive community-building, and networking spaces. Our group nationally is involved in community service activities at least 1-2 times a month. Volunteering for causes, we are excited about strengthening the ties to the communities where we live, work, and build, which is a part of our core values.
Giving back to a food bank, AIDS walk, or volunteering shows pride in action and our core value of caring while contributing to our community’s success and growth.
Some recent examples in the last week are JJ Tessorio, NY Pride Chapter lead recently invited Gilbane to the Aids Walk NY, and Brian Hussey, Southeast Pride ERG led a Gilbane team for the onePULSE Community Rainbow Run. Meral Kanik of the Mid-Atlantic led the William Way LGBTQ Community Center Run.
Mentorship
This year Pride, led by Debi Hertz, co-president, and Gilbane’s very own Danny MacKay, Lynn Gillis, Chad Clough, Penelope Cappadoro, Annasse Rajeh, Allison Jones, and Haley Johnston, has put together an outstanding intersectional LGBTQ+ and ally mentorship program. Starting this month, members were carefully matched with peers in what they had an interest in, such as corresponding with another LGBTQ+ identifying person to help with job or career development and talking about connecting them with individuals that are invested in their success and well-being. Others have requested mentorship for navigating being openly gay in the workplace, offering support, guidance, and resources, and others signed up wanting mentorship on how to become a better ally!
Education
Recently off the job, I was picking up a few things at a local store. As many companies gear up for Pride month, you will see store displays with things or logos in rainbow colors. In front of me was a construction worker, wearing a bright yellow shirt with their company name, that picked up a beverage in a rainbow color can and looked back to his co-worker, and said, “Don’t drink that; it might make you gay,” then added another derogatory statement. In response to this, I politely grabbed the same can and placed it in my cart. The point being LGBTQ+ issues have come a long way, but they still have a way to go.
Our ERG is always looking for opportunities to deepen the education of our teams about diversity, inclusion, and belonging while raising awareness about issues such as discrimination facing LGBTQ+ workers. We start with our members and allies to prioritize culture change at the job site. This might include creating a safe space for meaningful conversation and toolbox talks, encouraging all to commit to concrete actions to improve construction site culture, and respecting each other’s differences.
Our Gilbane ethics hotline provides our partners and stakeholders a 24/7 confidential, anonymous way to report violations to the Code of Ethics or to address other concerns about improper behavior.
Companywide, we have a Zero Hate Work Zone policy and multiple levels of training on unconscious bias and discrimination. Pride also has multiple opportunities to speak throughout the year on topics such as ‘Belonging in the Workplace’ and has planned several educational webinars that are encouraged to attend. Gilbane also sponsors Construction Inclusion Week, October 16-20, which “aims to build awareness of the need to improve diversity and inclusion in the construction industry by providing content and resources.”
Allyship
We LOVE our Allies! What is an Ally? By understanding that all persons, regardless of age, sex, race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression, should be treated with dignity and respect, you are an ally! For many in the LGBTQ+ community, PRIDE stands for ‘Promote Respect, Inclusion, and Dignity for Everyone.’
As the Pride ERG president, I’m going to be quite honest here when pronouns started to come out and multiple colors of the rainbow happened, I had no idea what it meant, and I am part of the LGBTQ+ community, so I did a little research. Being willing to learn and educate yourself on topics and terminology that may not affect you personally but could be causing stress for your coworkers, community members, and loved ones has a significant positive impact on the LGBTQ+ community.
Fostering Safe and Inclusive Working Environments
Have you ever heard it takes a village to raise a child? Our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) group is still relatively new, only five years old. Diversity and Inclusion objectives have advanced in our workplace, and we could not have done it without the village of our HR team members, leadership who have listened to our needs, and Pride leaders who have shared their priorities and concerns.
“We want all our LGBTQIA+ people to feel safe, connected, and empowered by a company that reflects the vibrant and richly diverse communities we serve. We all have more to learn about each other. That’s a big part of creating a space that can be safe, welcoming, and inclusive, providing a safe space for free expression.”
– Lynn Gillis, Gilbane’s Sr. Benefits Manager and Pride HR Chair/Ally
As part of our inclusive culture, Gilbane offers a suite of essential health, wellness, and family-building benefits that make everyone feel safe and supported. For Gilbane’s LGBTQ+ community, this includes medical coverage specific to transgender needs, social transition resources, mental health support, paid and unpaid (FMLA) leave, and active support for DE&I initiatives. Recently Gilbane has rolled out a benefits guide to help our LGBTQ+ members and families require necessary resources.
We hope you’ll join us in taking action this Pride month and throughout the year. We invite you to learn more about LGBTQ+ causes, how you can be an ally and help foster a safe and inclusive work environment, support causes important to the LGBTQ+ community, and celebrate Pride!
