PRIDE in STEM

Updated 2023-06-09

AT JCVI, we know first-hand that a career in science and technology can be a fulfilling and rewarding way for individuals to make a real impact on the world around us. The STEM fields are shaping our lives and are fueling social progress. The involvement of LGBTQ+ researchers and innovators are critical to ensuring this evolution is inclusive, diverse and makes our future a more welcoming and safer place.

Unfortunately, many LGBTQ+ STEM professionals still face barriers and unequal opportunities. JCVI is steadfast in our commitment to changing this. We are thankful for and will always support our LGBTQ+ colleagues. Their expertise and unique experiences are vital to the future of innovative science.

To support them, and all members of the LGBTQ+ STEM community, we have compiled credible external resources that includes professional organizations and support groups, useful articles, op-eds, and scholarly publications, information on grants and scholarships, and information to share with allies.

STEM professional organizations and support groups

500 Queer Scientists
A visibility campaign for LGBTQ+ people and their allies working in STEM and STEM-supporting jobs — a group that collectively represents a powerful force of scientific progress and discovery. 1,317 stories and counting. We want to: ensure the next STEM generation has LGBTQ+ role models; help the current generation recognize they’re not alone; create opportunities for community connections and greater visibility within STEM.

National Organization of Gay and Lesbian Scientists and Technical Professionals (NOGLSTP)
NOGLSTP is a professional society that educates and advocates for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer students and professionals in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics

Out in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (oSTEM)
Out in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (oSTEM), Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit professional association for LGBTQ+ people in the STEM community. With almost 90 student chapters at colleges/universities and professional chapters in cities across the United States and abroad, oSTEM is the largest chapter-based organization focused on LGBTQ+ people in STEM.

Pride in STEM
Pride in STEM is a charitable trust run by an independent group of LGBTQ+ scientists & engineers from around the world. Proud of who we are and what we do. We aim to showcase and support all LGBTQ+ people in STEM fields.

Out in Tech
Out in Tech is a networking organization that is designed to bring the LGBTQ+ tech community together, provide networking opportunities, and help people to promote social change. The organization holds over 100 events every year, encourages queer youth to explore tech careers, and supports activists working to advance LGBTQ+ rights. You can join a city chapter or take part in various events.

Lesbians Who Tech
Lesbians Who Techis one of the largest, most inclusive organizations for queer women and non-binary technologists. In addition to offering summits, programs, job boards, and networking opportunities, Lesbians Who Tech also runs the Edie Windsor Coding Scholarship, which supports up to 50 percent of tuition for queer women and non-binary applicants.

Maven Youth
Maven Youth offers summer tech camps, virtual workshops, and youth leadership programs. The organization promotes tech knowledge, education, and involvement for LGBTQ+ youth between the ages of 14 and 19. These programs are designed to give LGBTQ+ youth the skills they need to excel in a tech career and explore their professional passions.

Unicorns in Tech
Unicorns in Tech was founded in 2014 in Berlin. The network brings together over 4,000 LGBTQ+ members around the world, connecting startup founders, social media experts, journalists, designers, students, and entrepreneurs in different areas of tech. Unicorns in Tech provides career opportunities, networking, and meetup events to build social and professional connections.

HackOut
Hack Out is the world’s largest LGBTQ+ entrepreneurship weekend. Hosted in-person and virtually, the event is free and open to the public, offering participants the opportunity to present business pitches and compete in their final presentations. The event includes seminars, mentorship, and other activities to promote LGBTQ business success.

LGBTQ in Technology
The LGBTQ in Technology Slack is a multi-channel forum that provides a space for LGBTQ+ people in the tech industry to connect with one another, share their thoughts, and network in a safe, supportive community.

Useful articles, op-eds, and scholarly resources for LGBTQ+ people in STEM

Articles

Systemic inequalities for LGBTQ+ professionals in STEM
Science Advances

39 LGBTQ+ STEM Innovators and Resources
Columbia - Engineering

Out in the lab
Nature

Identifying as LGBTQ+ in physics: why does it matter?
IOP Blog

LGBT Climate in Physics
APS Report

Coming out in STEM
The Royal Society of Biology

Embracing diversity is vital to good science
Nature

Young people’s perceptions of science
KCL ASPIRES study

You’re never too small an organization to start thinking about inclusion
British Science Association

Job Searching While LGBTQ+: How to Find a Truly Inclusive Place to Work
The Muse

7 Myths About Coming Out At Work
Harvard Business Review

Op-eds

Out in the open: Is science LGBTQ-friendly?
New Scientist

Why is Science so straight?
The New York Times

Scholarly resources

Barres, B., Montague-Hellen, B., & Yoder, J. (2017). Coming out: the experience of LGBTQ+ people in STEM. Genome Biology, 18(1), 62. View Resource

Bilimoria, D., & Stewart, A. J. (2009). Don’t ask, don’t tell: The academic climate for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender faculty in science and engineering. National Women’s Studies Association Journal, 21(2), 85-103. View Resource

*Cech, Erin A. (2014). “Culture of Disengagement in Engineering Education?” Science, Technology & Human Values. Vol. 39(1): 42-72. View Resource

*Cech, E. A. (2015). LGBT professionals’ workplace experiences in STEM-related Federal Agencies. Paper presented at the ASEE Annual Conference, Seattle, WA. View Resource

*Cech, E. A., & *Waidzunas, T. J. (2011). Navigating the heteronormativity of engineering: the experiences of lesbian, gay, and bisexual students Engineering Studies, 3(1), 1-24. View Resource

Cooper, K. M., & Brownell, S. E. (2016). Coming out in class: Challenges and benefits of active learning in a biology classroom for LGBTQIA students. CBE—Life Sciences Education, 15(3), ar37. View Resource

Levine, D. (2016). LGBT in STEM: Progress but still many obstacles. Elsevier Connect. View Resource

Linley, J. L., Renn, K. A., Woodford, M. R. J. (2018). Examining the ecological systems of LGBTQ STEM majors. Journal of Women and Minorities in Science and Engineering, 24(1), 1-16. View Resource

Marx, R. A., & Kettrey, H. H. (2016). Gay-straight alliances are associated with lower levels of school-based victimization of LGBTQ+ youth: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 45, 1269-1282. View Resource

Patridge, E. V., Barthelemy, R. S., & Rankin, S. R. (2014). Factors impacting the academic climate for LGBQ STEM faculty. Journal of Women and Minorities in Science and Engineering, 20(1). View Resource

Predd, P. P. (2005). The gay engineer equal opportunities. IEEE Spectrum, 42(2), 47-48. View Resource

*Riley, D. M. (2008). LGBT-friendly workplaces in engineering. Leadership and Management in Engineering, 8(1). View Resource

Toynton, R. (2007). The de-representation of science and queer science students in higher education within the queer/gay discourse. Teaching in Higher Education, 12(5), 593-605. View Resource

Yoder, J. B., & Mattheis, A. (2016). Queer in STEM: Workplace Experiences Reported in a National Survey of LGBTQA Individuals in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Careers. J Homosex, 63(1), 1-27. View Resource

APA LGBTQ+ Resources and Publications
American Psychological Association