Ava Boswell on Pride, Progress and Community

Ava Boswell’s journey from the conservative Midwest to becoming a prominent advocate for LGBTQ+ rights in the workplace is a story of resilience, transformation and unwavering commitment to inclusivity. As June ushers in Pride Month, Ava reflects on the significance of this celebration and the progress made since the Stonewall Uprising of 1969.

“Pride Month is more than rainbow-branded merchandise,” said Ava Boswell, project analyst. “It’s important to remember why Pride Month was started in the first place. During June, I take time to revisit the history of the Stonewall Uprising and the activists who paved the way for today’s LGBTQ+ rights movement.”

Ava transitioned from a temporary position to a full-time project coordinator two years ago. In her current role as project analyst, Ava analyzes existing workflows and documentation to identify opportunities for greater efficiency and standardization. Ava is also an active member of McKinstry’s Pride Alliance and is passionate about uplifting the LGBTQ+ community.

“I grew up in the Midwest where queerness wasn’t talked about, and if it was, it was often met with disapproval or outright disgust,” Ava said. “Moving to Seattle was eye-opening because the queer culture here is so vibrant and accepting, and joining an organization with a Pride Alliance was exciting. It’s comforting to know McKinstry’s leadership is fostering a space for us in the organization and in the industry.”

From big top to business strategy

Ava’s early years were shaped by her mother’s career with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, which sparked Ava’s love for animals. When her mother left the circus, the family settled back in Chicago, where Ava was raised in a more conventional, conservative, blue-collar household.

“My dad, uncles, cousins and brother were sheet metal workers with the family business,” Ava said. “Shop talk and union politics were common conversations at the dinner table. Since I didn’t know any women in construction at the time, I saw construction as a man’s job and never considered it a path for me. It wasn’t until I joined McKinstry that I realized the industry has plenty of space for women to thrive.”

A first-generation college graduate, Ava earned a degree in wildlife ecology from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

“My education was very research heavy and hands on, which helped foster my problem solving and analytical skills,” Ava said. “I had some amazing experiences in that industry, such as opportunities to work with endangered species. But after working in the biology and ecology sector for several years, I was ready for a change. My partner and I acquired an old RV, packed up the essentials, and took a road trip from Chicago to Seattle with our dog and bird.”

Building belonging in the workplace and industry

Navigating queerness in the workplace can be challenging, particularly in industries like construction where traditional gender roles and expectations about sexual orientation can feel ingrained. LGBTQ+ employees may feel hesitant to share their identities at work due to concerns about exclusion, bias or not feeling fully supported.

What Ava finds most valuable about her participation in the Pride Alliance is the space to have candid conversations with peers about navigating the world and workplace as an LGBTQ+ person.

“Due to my upbringing and impression of the industry, I wasn’t sure how welcoming McKinstry would be to people like me,” Ava explained. “The Pride Alliance has been a great place to be our authentic selves and share what we’re experiencing and feeling with each other is crucial for our wellbeing during these times.”

While the construction industry has made strides in embracing diversity and inclusion, more work needs to be done, especially on the jobsite, which still experiences low representation of women and LGBTQ+ employees.

“I’m glad McKinstry is working to make inclusion part of our everyday culture and create a feeling of belonging for marginalized people,” Ava said. “But inclusion isn’t a one and done thing, and there are always ways for us to improve, especially on the jobsite and industry wide. While coming out can be a liberating experience, it’s also intimidating. It’s important to remember that you don’t owe anyone your story before you feel safe and ready.”

Amplifying diverse voices through music

One of the ways Ava connects with and uplifts the queer community is through the Rainbow City Orchestra, a performing arts group that promotes LGBTQ+ equity, highlights compositions from local and diverse composers, and welcomes musicians of all skill levels.

“I played violin all through school and participated in youth orchestras, but once I graduated high school, I aged out of all the ensembles I was part of,” Ava said. “Since I didn’t study music in college, I no longer had a group to play with. Rainbow City Orchestra was what got me to break my decade-long hiatus from playing music.”

What Ava loves most about the orchestra is its mission to increase the equity and visibility of LGBTQ+ people.

“We amplify diverse voices through our music, give back to organizations that support the community and provide a space for people to come together and express their fears and uncertainties through music,” Ava said.

The orchestra is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and is supported through donations and sponsors. However, recent policy changes have restricted the organization from applying for federal funding, making the orchestra completely reliant on community support.

“Now that we’ve lost any chance of receiving federal funding, we’re not sure what’s to come in the future,” Ava said. “Supporting organizations like Rainbow City Orchestra is now more important than ever.”

Celebrating Pride year-round

Ava encourages people to be an ally to the LGBTQ+ community every day, not just in June.

“Being an ally is a consistent action, and it can sometimes require courage in the face of discomfort,” Ava explained. “It means being willing to learn even when it makes you uncomfortable, standing up to bias or exclusion and taking the time to educate yourself instead of expecting other people to teach you.”

For self-education, Ava suggests starting by learning about your local queer community’s history and culture.

“The queer experience is not a monolith, and it varies across all parts of the world,” Ava said. “Someone living in the Midwest is going to have a very different experience from someone living in Seattle. That research can also be a way to get involved in your local community and connect with the organizations near you.”

In addition to education and standing up to bias, Ava invites allies to celebrate Pride and queer culture year-round.

“A lot of allies don’t engage with or support our culture out of fear of co-opting our experience, which leaves us feeling even more isolated and alone.” Ava explains. “Pride is about loving who you are no matter who you love, and that’s something all of us should celebrate.”