This week EG is focussing on LGBT inclusion in the real estate industry. Is enough being done to make everyone feel respected, rewarded and included in an industry that perhaps does not have the best track record on diversity? Over the course of this week, numerous professionals will share their stories, thoughts and advice on LGBT issues in property. Here, Misa von Tunzelman, marketing director at JLL, tells her story.
What was it like coming out?
I first came out in as a teenager so it’s, ironic, the only workplace I’ve been closeted in is this one. Joining the industry from a big four accounting firm in my late twenties, I found the property world to be fun and friendly but also quite laddish and I worried that telling people I was bisexual would invite the kind of attention I didn’t want. I was married to a man at the time so I thought it would be relatively easy for me to gloss over large parts of my past and keep my sexuality a secret but it was harder than I thought.
The first time I was told I might need to share a room at a work conference I panicked and it is surprising the number of times I had to edit or lie about my life story. Given that I was out in every other aspect of my life, I felt it was only a matter of time before someone discovered my secret.
I finally came out at JLL ten years later when I found myself reading an article in our in house newsletter about a group of colleagues who had met each other at a Freehold event and realised that they weren’t alone being LGBT at JLL. I asked to meet them, apologised for being a coward for so long, and asked what I could do to help. As a team we set about creating Building Pride, which now is one of our most active employee networks.
Despite my fears, the reception from my team and colleagues was really positive not the gossip fuelled “outing” I had imagined and it is freeing not to have to worry about it anymore.
How have attitudes changed (or have they not)?
I think attitudes have changed a lot, especially in bigger cities. LGBT people are far more visible in the media and in public life these days which really helps. There is still a lot to do to make workplaces and society in general more inclusive but increasingly this is caused by lack of thought or misjudged humour rather than overt prejudice.
Having said that, my girlfriend and I were verbally abused on the street coming out of the British LGBT Awards a few weeks ago which felt like a depressing throw back to the early 90s.
What needs to change?
We have protection in law and most businesses have diversity and inclusion policies in place so for me it is the softer cultural things that need to change now. More visible role models really would really help tackle this. LGBT people and allies of all professions, ages and backgrounds who can show others that it is okay to be LGBT and who will call out bad or unthinking behaviour when it happens.
What advice would you give to someone worried about coming out in this industry?
It’s easier than you think. Having a network of support around you will really help take the fear out of it; speak to friends or people who you think will be positive first, or contact Freehold, Planning Out, Open Land or your in house LGBT group if you have one.
What would you like the industry to look like (in terms of diversity) in five or 10 years’ time?
I would like the industry to look as diverse as the rest of the UK population. It would be great if we could just be ourselves, do our best work and be judged for what we do rather than what we are.
