The Campaign for Historic Trades has always been dedicated to making the field of historic trades diverse, inclusive, and welcoming for everyone. The tradespeople behind this work are dedicated to keeping traditions alive and literally holding history together by hand. What’s important to remember is that LGBTQ+ people have always been part of the trades. They’ve always been restoring century-old windows, repointing stone, and timber framing; they just haven’t always been seen. Some stayed quiet to preserve their privacy, while others were out but never talked about it. But today, queer tradespeople are speaking up, showing up, and making space for the next generation to feel like they don’t have to choose between who they are and what they love to do.
Organizations such as the Build Out Alliance, Building Equality, and the Society of Inclusive Blacksmiths celebrate LGBTQ+ individuals in the construction industry through advocacy, community, and mentorship. Groups like these are essential to the inclusivity and recognition of the LGBTQ+ community in the trades. Tradespeople who can be their authentic selves flourish at their work, making them more effective and improving their business’s bottom line. If you’re a queer person looking for your place in this field, or an employer seeking to make your workplace more inclusive, we’ve gathered resources to help you. Read our up-to-date, go-to guide for inclusion in the trades here: https://historictrades.org/resources-for-lgbtq-inclusion-in-the-trades/.