November 18th is the international day of LGBTQ+ people in STEM, which celebrates and highlights the achievements of LGBTG+ scientists. The Equal Opportunity and Diversity Committee at CIBSS used this date as an opportunity to highlight the value of diversity within science: An online workshop and a podium discussion provided thought-provoking impulses and emphasized the importance of visibility and awareness for the LGBTQ+ community in STEM. Together with an anonymous survey that was conducted prior to the event, the discussion showed that many experiences – negative but also positive – are shared among LGBTQ+ researchers across institutions and career levels. Two aspects that were stressed are the importance of prioritizing mental wellbeing, and the value of active inclusivity in work environments. While both points are universally applicable, they are especially relevant for members of minority groups such as the LGBTQ+ community.
A matter of identity
An online workshop and podium discussion about the experiences of LGBTQ+ researchers in STEM raised awareness of the importance of active inclusivity in science
Abbreviations
- LGBTQ+ Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and others; also often abbreviated as LGBTQ or LGBTQIA+ (with I for “intersex” and A for “asexual,” “aromantic,” or “agender”)
- STEM Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics
Good news first: The large majority of the one hundred survey responders from CIBSS and other research institutions felt that their work environment is LGBTQ+ friendly, and that they or their colleagues have not experienced disadvantages at work due to their sexual orientation and/or gender identity. “I never felt it was necessary to hide myself at CIBSS or the university in general. I am confident that I would receive support if I ever encountered some kind of queer-phobia,” reads one of the anonymous replies. Yet many survey responders as well as the panelists of the online event pointed out that tolerance may not be enough to create an open work environment that fosters diversity and takes varying realities into consideration. “While we think that the environment may be friendly, we are still hesitant and fear that outing may be rather negative than positive,” said CIBSS member Dr. Peter Walentek, who co-organized the event.
LGBTQ+ in Academia: Implications for Mental Health
This cautiousness was explained by Wendy Ingram, PhD, CEO and founder of the non-profit organization Dragonfly Mental Health, during her workshop: “In an environment that is tolerant but does not actively embrace LGBTQ+ identities, individuals still feel the need to cover up or downplay who they are,” she said. This can negatively impact an individual’s mental health. An environment that is actively inclusive, for example by offering support networks or discouraging non-inclusive actions, can help members of the LGBTQ+ community feel more at ease and improve their overall wellbeing at work. This is especially important for those who face additional challenges, such as language barriers, racism or sexual harassment.
Panel Discussion
The following discussion, which was hosted by CIBSS member Prof. Dr. Anne Classen, showed how real and relevant the previously described struggles are for individuals’ lives. “Throughout my academic career I was always in research groups that were welcoming and accepting,” said Dr. George Caputa, who is a Senior Editor at the journal Nature and identifies as non-binary. “But especially when joining larger groups, you always wonder whether there is this one person that will be hostile towards you.” This need for deliberate decision-making in new social settings is an experience that all panelists shared: “Every time you wonder: do I come out?” said Kyle Austin, who coordinates the IMPRS programme at the MPI-IE. While handling such situations can become easier over time, they still add up to the additional obstacles and worries LGBTQ+ scientists face during their careers. Prof. Dr. Carien Niessen, scientific coordinator of CECAD at the University of Cologne, emphasized that these regular micro coming-outs are about one’s identity, not sexuality: “They are about who you are. Like the question ‘how is your husband’ – when someone asks this, should I correct them or lie about who I am?”
While the panelists said that they try to always be open and be the role models that they wished they had themselves, they understand that not everyone feels ready to do so. “Overall, my experiences were positive, but I only came out when I was a group leader,” said Niessen. She also gave credit to the strong support that she received from her private network. And Caputa added: “I had to learn to advocate for myself, and prioritize my own mental health. This is a life-long lesson and I hope that younger scientists do that better.”
Contact and counseling points in Freiburg
- Contact and counseling points at the University of Freiburg, the Studierendenwerk Freiburg-Schwarzwald and in the city of Freiburg:
https://gdape.uni-freiburg.de/service-and-contact-points - Free counseling on the topics of coming out, health, crises, relationship issues, bisexuality, childbearing, rainbow families, discrimination, as well as issues of queer refugees and migrants (website in German):
https://www.rosahilfefreiburg.de/beratung/ - Free counseling for LGBTQIA+ people, queer people who want to have children, and queer families (website in German):
https://fluss-freiburg.de/beratung/
Further resources
- Website of Dragonfly Mental Health
- https://prideinstem.org
- https://www.proutatwork.de/aufklaerung/
- https://www.diversity-institut.info/index.html
- https://www.queerfreiburg.de/
The CIBSS Equal Opportunity and Diversity Committee
Prof. Dr. Anne Classe: anne.classen(at)biologie.uni-freiburg.de
Dr. Peter Walentek: peter.walentek(at)medizin.uni-freiburg.de
Dengfeng Huang: dengfeng.huang(at)cibss.uni-freiburg.de