Build Me Up: Being Transgender in the Construction Industry with Jennifer Richmond

In past episodes of the Build Me Up podcast, we have focused on some of the challenges in the construction industry, including the general lack of diversity in the male-dominated field. We’ve discussed how we can create more opportunities for women, people of color, and other underrepresented groups.

The LGBT+ community has its own unique set of challenges in the workforce. Today we will be shedding light on the T: The transgender community. According to the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, there are more than 2 million people in the U.S. who identify as Transgender. They are an extremely diverse community, and are family members, public officials, business owners, colleagues, and friends.

In the latest episode of Build Me Up, Maertens-Brenny Construction Company Project Manager/Estimator Jennifer Richmond discusses her experience as a transgender woman in the construction field. Kraus-Anderson Project Coordinator Krystal Burton also joins the conversation on how we can all be better allies to the Transgender community.

Jennifer’s Story

[perfectpullquote align=”left” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”#cc0202″ class=”” size=”18″]”We all think of coming out as one big event. In reality, most of us spend the rest of our life coming out in different situations, whether it’s at a job site, to some project managers at meetings … or at the dentist or doctor’s office.”[/perfectpullquote]

Jennifer was in her early 30s when she began the process of self-discovery that led to her transition. The coming out process was not simple or easy, and in many ways, Jennifer has to continue coming out as transgender to people she meets on a daily basis. In 2017, Jennifer decided she was ready to fully socially transition and wrote a letter to her boss at Maertens-Brenny. It was an extremely nerve-wracking conversation, but her boss was supportive. After a couple of weeks of thought, her boss gathered all the employees at Maertens-Brenny and they had a quick coming out conversation. Jennifer’s co-workers were able to easily adapt to she/her pronouns and her new name, aside from a few minor slip-ups at first. All in all, Jennifer found that as long as she continues to do her job well, her personal life has had no impact on her work.

Working Toward Equity in Construction

[perfectpullquote align=”right” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”#cc0202″ class=”” size=”18″]”My best advice is to just listen and learn. The industry, like my boss said when I transitioned, is if you can do the job, we don’t have a problem with who you are and what you do in your personal life.”[/perfectpullquote]
Jennifer has the unique experience of working in the construction industry from the perspective of both a man and a woman. Previously, it was easier to be accepted in the male-dominated industry. Her opinions, when presented as a male, were typically received with little hesitation. Since her transition, Jennifer has noticed that some may keep their distance out of fear or uncertainty of how to approach her. When she has ideas or solutions to bring to the table, she finds that she needs to be more prepared to back them up. Jennifer’s advice, whether you are a woman, a member of the LGBT+ community, or another underrepresented group in construction, is to continue to show up, ask questions, and do a great job.

The industry still faces challenges in terms of diversity and inclusion, and being an ally is critically important to taking steps toward equality in the workforce. If you hear inappropriate comments, whether it’s on a job site, in the office, or among friends or family, speak up. For more information on how to be a better ally, check out GLAAD’s Tips for Allies of Transgender People.

Tune in to the latest episode of Build Me Up for a more in-depth discussion of Jennifer’s transition story and how the construction industry can be more accepting of the LGBT+ community. You can subscribe to Build Me Up wherever you listen to podcasts.