Above: Photo by Abhinav Bhardwaj

Designers are trusted to build places that nurture safety, belonging, and pride — and that empower people to carry those values into their own communities. For designers from marginalized groups, this assignment can mean something far more personal: creating the places they wish they had as young people exploring their identities.

To celebrate Pride Month, we collected stories and insights from LGBTQ+ designers we’ve interviewed over the years, drawing out anecdotes and perspectives that helped shape them into the leaders they are today — and that can help us all craft a more inclusive design industry. Explore their stories, and check out the links below to dive deeper.

What are some of the ways you think our industry could further support and empower the LGBTQ+ community?

“Awareness is where it all starts: education. Making sure the community knows there is support is crucial. It is important to do whatever you can, wherever you are, to help others.”
— D.B. Kim, Global Design Leader, Former Vice President of Design at NIO Automotive

“While much progress has been made in terms of inclusivity, we still have far to go. When we are meeting with clients to discuss space and culture , are we asking questions about queerness, the black and Asian experiences within our client’s populations? If we’re not asking the questions … we’re missing opportunities.”
— Chris Stulpin, President, Darrow Martial Creative

What does Pride mean to you?

“We need to continue to raise our voices for those who showed support for us and in the communities that haven’t come as far as we have, and be the shoulders for which they can stand on.”
— Todd Heiser, FIIDA, Principal and Co-Managing Director, Gensler

“Pride means celebrating those who have come before me, who have allowed me and so many others the opportunity to speak out, be out, and be proud in our personal and professional lives. It also is an important reminder to continue to advocate and push for change in our communities and industry.”
— Sarah Woynicz, AIA, Project Manager, HKS

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How can design foster social change?

“It’s not just having the right makeup of people, it’s about bringing them together to focus on solving design problems for our clients. Having different cultures and ideas at the table makes us much more valuable to our clients and the industry.”
— Kenneth Baker, FIIDA, Assoc. AIA, Co‑Regional Managing Principal, Gensler

“As with any industry that is historically lacking people of a certain group, showing up and being allowed to shine and to be seen by the world — younger generations in particular — is essential to rewiring perceptions. … We are a community and we must support and promote each other.”
— Rayman Boozer, Founder and Principal Designer, Apartment 48

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What’s a place that makes you feel proud?

“One space that makes me feel incredibly proud is my childhood library, which I recently had the honor of renovating … I often felt isolated growing up, an experience that many queer people share. The library was one of the few places where I felt safe.”
— Chloë Aalsburg, IIDA, Interior Designer, C2AE

“My partner and I bought a historic Victorian twin in Philadelphia and spent six months rehabbing it before being able to move in … More than anything, our home is a gathering place filled with laughter, connection, and care — it’s where our chosen family can show up fully and feel safe being themselves.”
— Julianne J. Peters, IIDA, Assoc. AIA, Founder of the Design Success Network and Community Manager of The Collective at Out of Architecture

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