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According to a report published by American Physical Society (APS) in 2016, more than 20% of the physicists from sexual and gender minorities in the United States faced workplace discrimination due to their gender or sexual identity or expression (Gibney, 2016). We can safely assume that such discriminations, often faced by different minority groups, are not limited to any particular field and has much broader implications. However, due to lack of social support, data about discrimination for LGBTQIA+ (L-Lesbian, G-Gay, B-Bisexual, T-Transgender, Q-Queer, I-Intersex, A-Asexuality, and + -all of the other sexualities, sexes, and genders that aren’t included in previous letters) people in academia is limited. A recent article published in Nature suggests that 40% of the male undergraduates from sexual minorities drop out of STEM degrees vis-a-vis 26% of their straight counterparts.
This GYA group was established as an Incubator in July 2018, and became a GYA working group in July 2021. Its members feel that an international and diverse organisation like the GYA should be aware of this reality and should strive to collect data and raise awareness. The group will work towards creating a safe space to discuss these issues related to the various levels of discrimination faced by minorities in general and LGBTQIA+s in particular within the academic world.
Watch the group’s co-lead Monika explaining the group’s mission here.
For unique LGBTQAI+ stories on their experiences in academia, deep dives into diversity related topics and cornerstone resources of the LGBTQAI+ experience, visit the Rainbow Corner here.
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April 2024 – The Group is looking for a second co-lead to come on board and work with Rafal! More active members with fresh ideas are also welcome to join the group!
The group started work in July 2018 as an incubator and was promoted to a full working group in 2021. It has been actively involved in various anti-discrimination and diversity activities and groups within the GYA (e.g. Women in Science) as well as the GYA Code of Conduct preparation.
Ongoing Projects
For the GYA Annual General Meeting & Young Scientist Conference in June 2023, the group created a poster exhibition portraying LGBTQ+ scholars that was on display at the meeting venue.
In September group member Monika Kędra gave a presentation on inclusion, diversity and equity at the GYA online event “Young and Global – A perspective on today’s challenges in science” together. This event was part of the Science Summit of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA77). In her presentation, she looked at how the GYA aims to assure diversity, equity, and inclusion within its own network, and to promote these values in academia and outside. Read more about the session and watch the full presentation here.
In June, José María Armengol Carrera, Encieh Erfani, Monika Kędra, Abhijit Majumder (all members of the GYA Rainbow group), and Manuel Barberá (Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Spain) launched a series of posters portraying LGBTQ+ scientists.
In January, the Rainbow Corner was launched on the GYA Blog.
In March, co-lead Abhijit was interviewed as a part of a Nature-ISC Podcast: Episode 4: Gender, sexuality and representation
In March, group co-lead Abhijit spoke in the fourth episode of the Nature ‘Working Scientist’ podcast series, discussing the role of science organizations in fostering welcoming spaces.
To mark the 2021 International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (#IDAHOT), group members have produced a brief video to show the GYA’s support for inclusion, equality and diversity in academia.
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