The construction industry continues to change for the better. While women and other traditionally underrepresented groups have evolved to make up a greater share of the overall construction workforce, so have the ranks of those who identify as members of the LGBTQ+ community.
In an effort to promote construction’s continued inclusion, a group of individuals in 2017 formed Build Out Alliance, a volunteer advocacy and awareness organization for members of the LGBTQ+ community working in the industry as well as related fields such as development, planning and lighting design.
The group, which has branches from New York to Los Angeles, aims to promote representation and inclusivity in these industries as well as provide opportunities for members to socialize and network. Its initiatives are centered around key pillars like visibility, mentoring, networking, leadership, outreach and impact.
Andrew Torres, an architect and project manager for a development company based in Brooklyn who serves as Build Out’s president, said the organization was born out of the recognition that the industry wasn’t overly LGBTQ+ friendly.
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“We looked around and wondered why we didn’t have support, or a vehicle to advocate for ourselves,” Torres said. “It was a response to biases inherent in the construction industry and part of the design industry that if you are not conforming to a certain stereotype—which is often a heterosexual, middle-aged man—you may not be receiving the promotion or attention you might otherwise.”
The initial chapter was based in New York City, which was where the founders were located. During the COVID-19 pandemic, chapters formed in both Los Angeles and San Francisco; the latest branch is in Washington, D.C. The February 2024 launch in DC was a result of a need in that area, Torres said, and the group hasn’t ruled out expanding into other major construction hubs, like Chicago or Boston.
“The goal is to be smart and intelligent and be sustainable with how we are growing,” said Pauline Barkin, the group’s vice president and an architect and East Coast regional director for Heitmann & Associates. “As much as we’d love to be in every single city and small town, we are trying to make the biggest impact.”
She added, “It’s very impressive what has happened since our early days of being a scrappy new organization. We get people reaching out to us, wishing things could be different. There’s a need. Since our founding in 2017, more than 4,000 people have joined Build Out Alliance for our numerous events across four cities.”
Meeting likeminded individuals
A major component of Build Out Alliance is that it offers a vehicle for people to get to know each other with inclusive, in-person events. “It’s another avenue for professional networking for people with a different set of affinities,” Torres said, adding that this is especially important for younger members. “That is a reason we have grown and maintained membership—people feel really welcomed and really seen.”
For Barkin, some of the primary perks have indeed come from the social elements, by being able to meet so many bright and talented people in the industry who she views as role models. She added that she endeavors to help future generations be their free and authentic selves, without a separation of who they are personally and professionally. Group events have ranged from happy hours to game nights to Pride parade marches and career workshops.
And in 2023, Build Out Alliance was an event partner for New York Build Expo, the largest tradeshow for construction and design in New York City. The inaugural springtime soiree was held in March, with the description: “While many people still live each day like a closed flower, the soirée is all about recognizing what we can do when in full bloom,” a sentiment that encapsulates Build Out Alliance’s mission.
Besides networking, mentorship is a key component to the group. To that end, Build Out Alliance has partnered with multiple universities in New York City to provide mentorship for college students entering construction and related fields.
As the alliance has grown, so have its supporters and sponsors, with a number of organizations (including Bluebeam) recognizing its work and helping with fundraising. Volunteer committees within the different branches of the organization contribute to everything from events programming to community building to fundraising and communications.
Changemaking
Torres, the group’s president, has noticed a positive change since becoming involved with the nonprofit, both for the LGBTQ+ construction industry community and personally.
He said it was pretty isolating at his former job in a medium-sized design firm, which was compounded by the nature of architecture, where he worked long hours, often alone. “There was a certain moment when I need to find other people who have similar interests. I don’t know how I searched for it, but I somehow stumbled across Build Out Alliance,” Torres said, adding that his affiliation has been transformational.
“As I became more involved in Build Out Alliance, having it as a platform and as a soapbox to stand on and advocate for myself within the office has really been beneficial in how I think about my place within the organization,” he continued.
Obstacles and challenges for LGBTQ+ members cannot be erased in one day nor with one organization. But those affiliated with Build Out Alliance are seeing noticeable and positive changes on a larger scale, with more visibility and challenges to the notion of the accepted demographic makeup of people in the construction industry.
Torres said the partners in his previous firm had no idea he was involved with Build Out Alliance and asked how they could help support it. “Putting this out into the world has ripple effects, even if there is no direct impact in a particular firm or office,” he said.
An eye toward the future
Barkin and Torres are optimistic that strides are being made and will continue to be made long term. “LGBTQ people are here,” Barkin said. “We’re not going anywhere; we will be part of the industry, and the Build Out Alliance’s goal is to be a place where we can share our voice, collaborate, be role models and mentor.”
Barkin’s hope is that companies take a more active role to support the community, and that support will become the norm. “That is the direction we see things going: more welcoming and supportive and a general understanding that LGBTQ+ people are a vital part of the AEC industry.”
