An article by Kelly Canterford, Dan Westley, and Paul Macey, Freehold
To outside observers, it can look like the world is a lot safer and more accepting of LGBTQ+ people than it’s ever been. And in many ways, that’s true. The legal protections we enjoy today are remarkable given that it’s only been a few decades since homosexuality was legalised in the UK. It’s also true that representations of LGBTQ+ in pop culture are far more nuanced and realistic than they once were.
But for all those gains, many LGBTQ+ people know all too well how isolating some societal situations, including the workplace, can be. They’ll also be well aware of the fact that anti-LGBTQ+ hate crimes have been on the rise across the UK over the past few years. Some prominent advocates and campaigners have even expressed the belief that things are going backwards.
As a result, it’s critical that LGBTQ+ community and advocacy groups continue to play the roles they have, both in broader society and in specific industries. But it’s also important that they adapt to new realities and keep evolving to ensure that they’re always serving the best interests of their members.
Safe spaces, education, and advocating for change
At Freehold, for instance, our primary role is to act as a networking forum for LGBTQ+ people in the real estate sector. Our 1000-plus members include building surveyors, valuation surveyors, agency surveyors, asset managers, architects, developers, investors and property lawyers from both the public and private sectors.
In that capacity, we work to create safe spaces for LGBTQ+ people in the industry to meet, socialise and learn. Our own experiences in the sector over the years have helped us realise how critical a function that is. Many of us felt incredibly lonely entering a sector that has traditionally been dominated by heterosexual men. Even today, many real estate workers are afraid of being open about their sexuality. Freehold provides them with events and spaces where they can do so while connecting with like-minded people in the industry.
Additionally, we recognise that it’s important that young LGBTQ+ people entering the industry don’t feel the same sense of loneliness that many of us did, or that their professional development is being hindered because of who they are. That’s why, in 2013, we launched our mentorship programme. The programme gives participants access to a mentor who is either more experienced than the participant or who has relevant knowledge to share – and whose skills, knowledge and personal insight can be tapped to help them develop their career or discuss any LGBTQ+ workplace issues.
But we also understand that communities have to go beyond events and networking. That’s why we act as a sounding board for the industry and bodies such as the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) for matters impacting or affecting the community.
Evolving according to community needs
Additionally, it’s critical that communities, particularly in the LGBTQ+ space, understand that they need to adapt to the evolving needs of their members. For instance, while gay, lesbian, and bisexual workers still face discrimination in the workplace, they may also have greater degrees of acceptance than trans and non-binary people as well as all of the gender and sexual identities that fall into the “+” part of the LGBTQ+ acronym.
We still have a very long way to go when it comes to B, T, Q and + to make sure the real estate sector is wholly inclusive and not a form of ‘selective’ inclusivity based on the current understanding or knowledge of those in our industry.
While we are all constantly learning, evolving and striving for a better working environment and industry, there are always opportunities to listen, make a change and make a difference.
Join, learn, and give back
If you are lucky enough to already know the support of a community you’ll know how important giving back is but it’s sometimes overwhelming to know where to start. However, it doesn’t have to be grand gestures, whether it’s volunteering to assist with a programme or running for a position on the board, you’ll quickly discover how rewarding it can be. This sort of active role within your community and wider society is open to anyone regardless of background or seniority and it’s important to remember that giving back is not an exclusive phenomenon.
And for those yet to experience the power of community, we’d encourage anyone (regardless of what sector they’re in) to seek them out and participate. At a time when many hard-fought freedoms are under attack, they provide spaces where similarly-minded people can support and uplift each other while also advocating for our collective rights.
We’ve discovered that first-hand and would encourage anyone who’s on the fence about joining a community to do so right now and realise how much more powerful we all are together. For those LGBTQ+ property professionals looking for a sense of belonging, Freehold stands with its arms wide open for new members to join, and we look forward to meeting you.
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