Building Out with PRIDE

Research, like this 2018 Human Rights Campaign Foundation study, has consistently shown that many lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQIA) employees aren’t comfortable being open about their sexual orientation in the workplace. Top reasons for this hesitance include the fear of being stereotyped, losing connections or friends, and making others uncomfortable.  While there’s been considerable progress in creating and fostering inclusivity within the design and construction industry in recent years, there’s still much work to be done.

Our PRIDE employee resource group (ERG) works to build upon Gilbane’s strong foundation of family culture to ensure that all members of the LGBTQIA community can be their authentic selves. With an active, employee-led membership working in regions coast to coast, PRIDE is a trusted resource to discuss policy concerns and create visibility for volunteerism and education around LGBTQIA causes and matters.

We’re extremely proud of our employee resource groups and believe they are making a difference in moving the needle on diversity and equity in our industry.  But we are just one company.  There are no competitors when it comes to inclusion and belonging, and by working with our community and industry partners, we can achieve much more.

Build Out Alliance

Build Out Alliance seeks to fill the void while the creation and development of meaningful LGBTQIA employee resource groups is still catching on as industry-wide standard practice. By partnering with Build Out Alliance, we support their mission to promote and advocate for LGBTQ people serving openly and with pride in all roles within the building, design, and construction industries. Members work towards making the entire industry more welcoming to LGBTQ professionals, leading by example in our own work environments and through partnerships with community organizations.

Currently, Build Out Alliance has active members and representatives from across the building, design, and construction industry – from small, local architecture firms to global engineering and design firms and construction professionals.

As a member of Build Out’s board of directors, I believe that the Alliance provides a critical opportunity for social connection partnered with a professional substructure to those who may feel isolated at the workplace or even at home. Our careers can be a very lonely place if we are forced to hide who we are.

Build Out Alliance sees an industry where inclusion is valued universally, where LGBTQ professionals have equal opportunities, can work openly with pride, and benefit from a professional network. Initiatives include:

• Visibility: Promote openness and inclusivity through visibility within the industry.
• Mentoring: Encourage professional development for LGBTQ people and create a welcoming work environment for diverse identities.
• Networking: Cultivate and foster bonds between members of the LGBTQ community within the industry.
• Leadership: Guide the industry by encouraging the adoption of policies that are important to LGBTQ employees.
• Outreach: Build relationships between the industry and LGBTQ service community.
• Impact: Shape a better and more inclusive industry and world for the next generation.

Gilbane team members from coast to coast are actively involved with Build Out Alliance and routinely participate in panel discussions, networking events, and webinars.  A silver lining to the COVID-19 pandemic was the fact that many events were conducted virtually and available to a wider audience. To view some of Build Out Alliance’s past programming, please click the links below.

• Building Stories: Out-Standing in Construction
• Where are all the Queer Womxn?
• Designing While Black
• Love Overflowing – a seminar on LGBTQ supportive housing
• Engineering and Construction Focused Resume and Interview Workshop