Stonewall’s hugely popular rainbow laces campaign, which footballers have eagerly adopted, has been extended to building sites, with Lend Lease builders deciding to stand up against prejudice.

Over 1,000 workers based on sites including the Elephant & Castle regeneration project, the Zig Zag Building in Victoria and the 13-storey Kings Gate building in Westminster have all donned multicolour laces to show their support for kicking homophobia, biphobia and transphobia out of their industry.

The building giant hopes to be the first from their industry to enter Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index, a top 100 of Britain’s best employers for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people. Lend Lease has recently launched its own allies programme, and has engaged with real estate LGBT networking group Freehold.

Chris Edwards, Client Group Manager at Stonewall said: ‘We know that LGBT people still face challenges working in the construction industry. That’s why initiatives like this – and the work of senior role models and allies at Lend Lease and across the sector – are absolutely vital. We’re committed to working with organisations in the construction sector to help make the industry open and welcoming to all.’

Martin Coyd, Head of Health & Safety in Europe at Lend Lease, and Chair of the Lend Lease Europe Diversity Council added: ‘At Lend Lease, we pride ourselves on creating the best places and valuing the ways in which we differ.

‘A diverse and inclusive culture makes good business sense. To perform at the best of our ability, we need a culture and an environment that embraces difference and where we can benefit from the diverse thinking, experiences and backgrounds of our people.’