Help us keep the lights on Support us
The Bristol Cable

‘Homophobia, sexism and racism are rife in the construction industry. It’s time for change.’

Andy Leake has experienced homophobia first-hand and is calling for more support for queer people, women and those from ethnic minorities in construction.

Voices

I know better than anyone that the construction industry has a bad reputation. As a gay man, whenever I say I’m working as a builder it’s met with surprise and questions about how I cope with the work culture.

The answer to that question is a complicated one. When I worked at a construction site in New Zealand and experienced widespread casual homophobia and racism, I reported it to the site managers. I was pulled into a meeting room, sat down, and told that if I was upset by the issues I was experiencing, I should consider leaving the industry.

I was told the issue was so deep-rooted there was nothing that could be done. So there it was, from the horse’s mouth: this was a work environment I didn’t belong in, and on top of that I couldn’t be offered the protection or support I needed.

I’m a great worker, but every time I hear a discriminatory comment I have a full body reaction. It’s a mixture of sadness and frustration that people still think like this.

Moving back to the UK and working in construction in Bristol, I was sadly unsurprised to hear casually homophobic comments around the sites. It’s an intimidating environment to be in as a queer person, to the point where I don’t feel comfortable coming out to my colleagues.

This is reflected in research from 2015 where only 14% of employees said they’d be open about their sexuality on site. I have come out on work sites before, and was just met with uncomfortable silences before people quickly moved the conversation on. 

This indicates a wider issue in the industry: it’s dominated by a masculine culture that is, at times, rife with toxicity. Comments like, “We’re not sissies, are we?” when talking about being scared of heights walking round scaffolding, or “Where’s your boyfriend?”, “*Insert name* is gay,” without my coworkers knowing I’m gay.

I consistently hear homosexuality used as a punchline, as something to be laughed at or be disgusted by.

Get our latest stories & essential Bristol news
sent to your inbox every Saturday morning

Systemic mental health issues

Construction worker suicide rates are three times higher than the national average. It’s a shocking statistic that reflects a toxic work culture. In an environment where everyone is constantly roasting each other, which could be seen as harmless fun, the things people are saying reveal how deeply the roots of discrimination run.

Depression and anxiety are now more prevalent in the industry than physical issues like muscle strain. The whole site will consistently pick on people who are different, like playground bullying all over again. Because everyone assumes you’re straight, they will talk freely, objectifying women in a completely degrading way and egging each other on. 

It’s going to take years, even decades to alter the work culture of the construction industry. As I was told when I reported the issue, these people have been saying the same things since primary school. They tell the same homophobic, misogynistic and racist ‘jokes’ that they had in the playground.

I think sites would really benefit from those in a pastoral role holding meetings to educate workers about the impacts of discrimination. I’m a great worker, but every time I hear a discriminatory comment I have a full body reaction. It’s a mixture of sadness and frustration that people still think like this.

It would be hugely beneficial to have a queer construction worker travelling around site-to-site and providing insight and education on casual homophobia, racism or misogyny. 

Ways to build better workplaces

On a site I worked on, I was on-boarded alongside a woman. She was told if anyone gave her any grief, she should report it to the site manager staff. This was a great procedure and showed that women were protected on that site. I think all it takes is to include an introduction where you’re told if you face any discrimination in terms of gender, race or sexuality, that you should report it.

It’s a miniscule gesture, but even mentioning the possibility that you could be gay helps to invoke the idea it’s a safe space, a work environment where you can exist as a queer person. 

I want to be clear that I don’t want this to be a hate piece on everyone working in the construction industry. It would be a cheap shot to suggest everyone is an awful caricature of discrimination. I’ve met some incredibly empathetic and emotional people on building sites. 

I think a lot of the issue comes from a lack of education and ignorance rather than purely malicious intent. It’s a deep-rooted issue that permeates through the generations. It represents a lack of exposure to people from across the gender, sexuality and ethnic minority spectrum.

I don’t believe it is the individual’s or even the company’s fault. Rather it’s an industry-wide failure to be responsible for educating employees. It’s through generating conversations like this that we can help the industry progress. 

Change needs to happen. I often think of other people in my situation, facing a hostile work environment without feeling they have the support or pastoral care they need. It’s a dangerous cocktail in an industry with a disproportionately high suicide rate and poor mental health.

If you are an LGBT+ worker struggling in the industry, organisations like Building Equality act as a great resource and are helping to lead change in the industry. Through encouraging those working in management positions to take action and educate their employees, we can move towards a healthier, happier construction industry.

Keep the Lights On

Investigative journalism strengthens democracy – it’s a necessity, not a luxury.

The Cable is Bristol’s independent, investigative newsroom. Owned and steered by more than 2,600 members, we produce award-winning journalism that digs deep into what’s happening in Bristol.

We are on a mission to become sustainable – will you help us get there?

Join now

What makes us different?

Comments

Report a comment. Comments are moderated according to our Comment Policy.

Post a comment

Mark if this comment is from the author of the article

By posting a comment you agree to our Comment Policy.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Related content

Joy as resistance: inside the club night changing Bristol’s queer scene

With violence and political hostility towards trans and queer people on the rise, club night Soft Butch has become a vital space for community, connection, and liberation

Bristol’s queer communities are taking the fight against pinkwashing genocide

Pinkwashing, when powerful entities adopt a veneer of supporting LGBTQIA+ rights, has been a prominent PR tactic used by Israel to gloss over its brutal occupation of Palestinian territories. Queer communities are pushing back.

Listen: Love Her – how Weekenders made space for women’s music

As part of this series of podcasts about underrepresented parts of Bristol’s history, this is a homage to Weekenders, a women's music night that started in the late 90s.

Listen: Bristol Unpacked with Bristol Cathedral’s city chaplain Phil Nott, a reverend on a mission for social justice

Reverend Nott does not fit the stereotypical image of an Anglican priest. How can this LGBTQ+ ally, and outspoken voice on the Church's historical role in racism and injustice, work with an institution steeped in conservatism? 

Meet the new queer collectives pushing the boundaries of Bristol’s nightlife

For a city of its size, Bristol is not overrun with dedicated queer nightlife spaces. But since coronavirus restrictions have eased, several new groups of creatives have set out to change things.

Bristol goes to the ball

Ballroom culture, which Bristol photographer Darren Shepherd describes as 'the personification of queer resilience and queer joy', has been enjoying a resurgence in our city.

Join our newsletter

Get the essential stories you won’t find anywhere else

Subscribe to the Cable newsletter to get our weekly round-up direct to your inbox every Saturday

Join our newsletter

Subscribe to the Cable newsletter

Get our latest stories & essential Bristol news
sent to your inbox every Saturday morning