CIOB was once again supporting and contributing to Manchester Pride over the August Bank Holiday as part of Building Equality, the construction industry’s LGBTQIA+ alliance.
Building Equality is a multi-discipline organisation comprising many professional bodies including CIOB. Hazel Yorke, CIOB business development manager for the north, continued her volunteering role as business development manager for Building Equality Greater Manchester.
This year Manchester Pride celebrated 10 years since the Equal Marriage Act. Building Equality joined thousands of people marching through the city centre, following its iconic ‘GayCB’.
The rainbow JCB was adorned with ‘just married’ bunting, with replica tin cans pulled behind in the trans flag colours.
Seventy representatives from companies in the built environment industry across the north-west came together to celebrate and raise awareness of the lack of equal marriage rights still facing some of our LBGTQIA+ friends, family and colleagues.
This includes non-binary people not being recognised, benefits being removed from disabled people and people needing a Gender Recognition Certificate to marry in their authentic gender.
Changing attitudes
Building Equality (Greater Manchester) also held its annual Outreach Day on Friday 25 August, parking Flannery’s rainbow JCB on Market Street to talk to people about the changing attitudes and perceptions in the industry.
Building Equality is a community organisation driving inclusivity in the built environment industry. Supported by volunteers, the group has regional committees across the UK. It educates and encourages positive conversations around sexuality and gender identity, with bespoke free resources.
These include an LGBT+ inclusion toolbox talk and poster campaign designed to facilitate inclusion both on site and in the office.
