Happy LGBT STEM Day!

The Graphene Flagship is proud to celebrate the First International Day of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ+) People in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM). The event, LGBTSTEMDay, which takes place all over the world today, July 5 2018, is co-organised by Pride in STEM, House of STEM and InterEngineering. The Graphene Flagship values diversity and aims to create an environment where all its members can be open about who they are.   

"We at the Graphene Flagship think that diversity is a valuable asset for the advancement of science, and want to ensure that all the researchers involved in our project shall work in the best conditions, with no obstacles or discriminations whatsoever, inside or outside the lab," said Professor Vincenzo Palermo, Vice-Director of the Graphene Flagship.

LGBTSTEM Day will celebrate the achievements of LGBTQ+ people in STEM, but also highlight their struggles. Recent studies show that just over 40% of LGBTQ+ people working in STEM are not out at work, and that, in general, they are less satisfied with their lives. One out of three physicists in America claim they have been explicitly advised not to be open at work if they wish to progress in their careers. Add to this the dire situation for transgender and gender-nonconforming people, 50% of whom report being harassed at work. Hence, it is evident we need to raise awareness and increase support for LGBTQ+ people in STEM.

During this first LGBTSTEM Day, people are encouraged to share their stories on social media using the #LGBTSTEMDay hashtag. Also you are invited to take part in the creation of a crowd sourced audio documentary by recording a voice note starting with 'My name is … and I am LGBT+ in STEM" then going to to share experiences of being LGBTQ+ in STEM and sending it to lgbtstemday@gmail.com

More details about LGBTSTEMDay can be found here.