The construction industry often has a reputation for being LGBTQ-unfriendly, but this might not be true in all parts of the business. A recent study found that 7% percent of employees would recommend working within the sector. They felt more welcome there than in other industries where someone's sexual orientation might make them feel uncomfortable or unable to express themselves freely on-site without fear of discrimination. This also indicates how important it is for businesses within our built environment sector to ensure complete diversity & inclusion, so everyone feels accepted.

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"If we're going to build a better world, we need to start by building a more diverse and inclusive built environment." – Suhail Arfath – CEO Hloov

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Recently Inclusivity has been a hot topic in the Built Environment, with many businesses working hard to ensure that everyone feels welcome. The recent CEO Action for Diversity and Inclusion Pledge has been an encouraging step in the right direction of LGBTQ+ equality. With 20 engineering firms signing on to this initiative, it is clear that there is momentum building behind the cause - with over 21% percent reporting feeling more comfortable being open about their sexuality or gender identity at work since taking action!

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The Unsung Heroes Shaping Our Future

We should be proud of the accomplishments that have been made, but there is still more work to be done. This Pride Month, we honor the innovators who are shaping our future. These unsung heroes come from all walks of life and have one thing in common: they make an impact by courageously sharing their ideas, stories, and perspectives and leading by example. We should all be inspired by their example to stand up for what we believe in and fight for a better future. Here at Hloov, this year, we are celebrating the following few of them and our salute to each one who is driving this change.

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Amanda McKay

Presently Director of Quality at AWE, Amanda McKay is a leading proponent of equality, diversity, and inclusion for the LGBTQ community in the workplace. She is the strategic leader for quality and operational excellence on various critical infrastructure projects, where she designs the assurance methodology and governance architecture. As she explains her varied profession and hardships as a trans woman, she continues to be the epitome of an exemplary role model. She was featured at number 34 in the Financial Times’ Outstanding Top 100 LGBT + Executives list, representing the only nominee from the construction industry.

Learn more about Amanda McKay

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Guillermo Diaz-Fanas

President of the first LGBTQIA+ NGO in the United States, 'Queer Advocacy & Knowledge Exchange (Qu-AKE)'; Guillermo Diaz-Fanas is an Infrastructure & Climate Resilience Consultant at the World Bank. Qu-AKE aims to empower students and professionals interested in the infrastructure industry. Being part of the LGBT community, Guillermo has been a vocal advocate for the inclusion of intersectional individuals. In the domains of Architecture, Construction, and Engineering (ACE), he coordinated and spoke at STEM events about the significance of combating prejudice and persecution of minority groups.

Learn more about Guillermo Diaz-Fanas

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Kait Tyschenko

A Project Manager focused on Sustainability and Social Innovation, Kait Tyschenko is actively building a networking community for fellow 2SLGBTQ+ persons working in the infrastructure industry. Queer Infrastructure Community or QUIN is a community-led effort to increase Queer visibility, leadership, and inclusion in Canada's infrastructure industry. Kait is a member of the Build A Dream #HerPower council, where they aim to attract, encourage and empower under-represented students to pursue careers in skilled trades, STEM, and entrepreneurship. Kait is one of them and we are proud to celebrate their leadership and role in building an inclusive tomorrow.

Learn more about Kait Tyschenko

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The Nucleus of Our Values - #SameWeAre

The future is diverse, so the workplace should be too! Hloov believes that people with different perspectives and voices can thrive in an environment where they are celebrated for their uniqueness, not judged or rejected because of it. We believe that diversity makes us stronger, so we at Hloov take pride in our uniqueness! That is why it’s important for everyone here.

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This year let us take pride in the progress we have made and pledge to continue making positive changes. What are your thoughts? Share them with us, we can build a better future for everyone.

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