With the DEI narrative shifting and companies and politicians stepping back from their previous commitments, it is more important than ever for those in the LGBTQIA+ community and their allies to make sure their views are heard. To that end, networking organisation Freehold, in association with Estates Gazette, has launched this year’s LGBTQIA+ in Real Estate Attitudes, Actions and Allies Survey.
With increased reports of people in the LGBTQIA+ community suffering unacceptable exclusionary behaviours in wider society, this is a chance to shine a light on the real estate industry to see how experiences compare.
Do people still feel safe being out at work? Are they supported by their workplace? The survey gives people the opportunity to anonymously tell us how they feel and what they are seeing in the workplace – and the results will enable us to assess how this has changed over the last eight years of surveys.
This year’s streamlined survey offers dedicated question paths for LGBTQIA+ professionals working in real estate and their allies, which should offer a better picture of their respective views.
Freehold board member Marko Salopek said: “With the world around us changing, this survey will tell us how LGBTQIA+ property professionals are perceived, are they facing any challenges and discrimination and if so, what they are.
“Over the last decade or so we have seen a great progress for LGBTQIA+ property professionals. This survey will gauge if that trend is continuing or sadly worsening.
“This survey is very important for Freehold and the wider property industry to understand are we making progress as LGBTQIA+ community or we are facing challenging times ahead.”
Fellow board member Paul Edwards added: “There has always been a sense that the property industry is behind others on LGBT+ inclusion – will this be supported by the survey? Are there pockets in the industry that are better than others? Are “good” companies and networking groups managing to make a difference? In light of the global political climate – are things getting worse?”
Respond to the survey by 27 June at www.surveymonkey.com/r/3HJSYJ8
