Gender is a bigger barrier than a person's sexuality when it comes to career progression for LGBT women in construction.

Interviewees taking part in a Loughborough University report used the term “old boys club” to describe gender-related issues within the industry. Many flagged that construction is dominated by white heterosexual males, particularly at the top of companies.

The report was funded by the Bowen Jenkins Legacy Research Fund of the Chartered Institute of Building. Entitled LGBT in Construction: Exploring Experiences to Inform Inclusive Practice, it is a collaboration between Dr Sarah Barnard of the School of Business & Economics, Professor Andrew Dainty of the School of Architecture, Building & Civil Engineering, the University of Roehampton's Dr Sian Lewisand Dr Andreas Culora of RAND Europe.

Interviewees told academics that the views that “women don’t stick it out” and only the “tough old boots” stay are commonplace – with women seen as “aggressive, a pain, or b*tchy”.

Opinions were shared in workshops and in-depth interviews with LGBT workers - who were predominantly based in offices rather than site locations.

Participants framed office workspaces as sites of diversity and inclusion for LGBT employees and other minority groups within the industry, whereas construction sites were often seen as traditional, exclusive spaces dominated by uber-masculine white males.

The study also found LGBT women feel there is an assumption that as a woman working in the industry, you are either “oggled” or “you are gay, and taking part in the sexual objectification of women”.

Dr Barnard and Professor Dainty said: “There was agreement expressed in the workshop around the idea that gender is a greater issue than sexuality in the workplace for lesbians and bisexual women. It was discussed how lesbian, bisexual or trans women face discrimination because they are women, whereas gay men face discrimination because of their sexuality.

“The intersections of gender and sexuality are influential – if you are female and gay, both mark you out as different, but you can’t hide you’re a woman.”

The academics added that some participants had progressed within firms “by entering in administrative roles and transitioning to technical roles”.

“This pathway does represent a positive example of career progression for women within the industry,” they said.

The researchers have compiled a list of recommendations for tackling the issues identified and fostering inclusive workplaces. These include greater support for specialised LGBT support networks, facilitating LGBT visibility and awareness in normal business practice, and the development of a sector-wide code of practice.

“Despite these challenges, what is great about the research findings is that the people we spoke to had a lot of positive things to say about working in the sector,” Dr Barnard and Professor Dainty said.

“Construction companies that have successfully created a ‘safe place’ to be LGBT should be proud of their achievement as it has made a massive difference to the who work people there.

“Clearly there is more work to be done, but at least it seems to be heading in a more positive direction.”

Image: Getty images

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