After years of experience working in the male-dominated carpentry industry, Kate Wilton and Greer Roberts — who both identify as queer — decided to create their own, queer space in the field. Wilton and Roberts officially started their queer and trans-owned carpentry business, Splitgill Carpentry, on Oct. 3. About half of Splitgill’s clientele identifies as queer or trans, Roberts said, and the pair designed the business to ensure their clients feel comfortable and safe when they hire Splitgill to work in their homes. “It was inspiring for us to step out on our own and get started, knowing that there is a market for us,” Wilton said. “We are needed.”