Let’s focus on what’s ours, you know, science and technology. If we take a closer look, we’ll see that Columbia University (2023) reports that LGBTIQ+ people are represented 20% less than expected in STEM fields. Social prejudice and unsupportive, unempathetic work environments seem to be largely to blame, creating more obstacles and exposing LGBTIQ+ professionals to higher levels of workplace harassment than their non-LGBTQ+ peers. In fact, Science reports that LGBTIQ+ professionals are 30% more likely to experience this type of harassment and these barriers, which hinder their professional development and, in many cases, push them to abandon their careers or even their vocations altogether.

And obviously, a community that is not accepted can hardly thrive. And especially in STEM fields, thriving means moving society forward, providing effective solutions so a world in crisis can move ahead in the best possible way.

DIVERSITY IS EVERYTHING

Kenneth Gibbs Jr., a member of the U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI), puts it clearly: “Diversity is a property of groups, not individuals.” People themselves are not diverse; the groups they form together are. “Diversity in science refers to cultivating talent and promoting the full inclusion of excellence across the entire social spectrum. This includes people from backgrounds that have traditionally been underrepresented as well as those from backgrounds that have traditionally been well represented,” he explains.

And why is diversity important? Because, as in life in general (but especially in STEAM fields) perspective matters, it matters a lot. Diverse groups approach real-world problems differently based on their own experiences and lived realities. As a result, solutions reach more people and are more considerate of those who are less represented, such as minorities.

HISTORY HAS BEEN TELLING US

Even so, and despite all the numbers and statistics, LGBTIQ+ people have contributed to science and technology since the very beggining. Modern science itself, including the principle that “everything must be questioned before being accepted as truth,” largely stems from Sir Francis Bacon (1561–1626), an English philosopher, politician and writer. Although he was married to a woman (different times, as you know), historians today believe he was a gay man. Bacon revolutionized science with the idea of “discovering how to discover”, a new way of thinking that completely changed how knowledge was approached. He stated: “The man of science must carry out studies through observations that must be validated. Scientists must, above all, be skeptical and not accept explanations that cannot be proven through observation and experience.” While this may seem obvious today, it was Bacon who laid the foundations of modern science, without which we would not be where we are now.

Sara Josephine Baker (1873–1945), the first U.S. citizen to earn a doctorate in Public Health, a suffragist, feminist, and lesbian, also made an enormous contribution to humanity by revolutionizing hygiene and preventive medicine. At a time when thousands of children were dying each week from dysentery or going blind due to gonorrhea transmitted at birth, she trained mothers, midwives, and doctors in hygienic practices. She invented beeswax-sealed containers to prevent medication contamination and developed a clean artificial alternative to breast milk (which was often contaminated at the time) and distributed it free of charge to women who needed it. Through these efforts and many others, she dramatically reduced infant mortality, becoming an unparalleled hero.

Ben Barres (1954–2017), an American neurologist and transgender man, revolutionized the field of neuroscience. His research focused on the most abundant cells in the human brain: glial cells. Nine out of ten brain cells are glial, with the remaining being nerve cells or neurons. Before Barres, these cells were thought to play a passive role, something reflected in their name, as “glia” comes from the Greek word for glue. They were believed to merely support brain structure and transport nutrients to the more “important” cells. Barres and his students worked tirelessly to prove otherwise: that glial cells are essential for synapse formation—the connections between neurons that are fundamental to nervous system communication. His work greatly advanced understanding of neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and glaucoma. Beyond his scientific achievements, Barres was also a strong activist for LGBTIQ+ rights and women’s rights in science, having personally experienced the different treatment people receive in these fields based on gender, sexuality, and gender identity.

And let’s not forget the trans women who have helped and continue to help revolutionize technology (and science, of course) every single day! (You can find an article dedicated to them and their discoveries in the fifth issue of our magazine, About Time! | Women, Talent, and Technology.)

These are just a few examples of LGBTIQ+ contributions to STEM fields, but a quick scroll through the internet will show that the list of essential and influential figures is endless. There is no doubt that the world would not be the same without these advances and discoveries, clear proof that diversity is effective and absolutely indispensable if society is to move toward a brighter future for everyone.

WE WILL ONLY MOVE FORWARD IF WE MOVE TOGETHER

Organizations such as oSTEM (Out in Science, USA), Pride in STEM (UK), Queers in Science (Australia) or PRISMA (Spain), among many others, aim to advance inclusion for LGBTIQ+ people and provide safe workspaces where they can thrive and, in turn, contribute to humanity.

But we must not forget that change begins with individuals. At a time when the world seems to be moving backwards (specially driven by economic interests within companies) and turning against the LGBTIQ+ community not only ideologically but also through cuts to diversity and inclusion budgets, it is more important than ever to listen to, value, and support our colleagues who, most of the time, simply want to belong and grow together as a team.

Because while Pride floats may be loud, there may be someone sitting quietly in your workplace right now, considering giving up on their vocation because they feel excluded or not truly part of the team. So, let’s try to make a collective effort and make sure that everyone can enjoy the noise of celebration and the freedom to work on what they love.