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Celebrating the LGBTQ+ Physical Sciences Community
During June, AIP is highlighting resources that honor the LGBTQ+ community and their contributions to the physical sciences.
Pride Month 2024: Reflect. Empower. Unite.

In an era marked by rapid societal change and growing recognition of the vital role that diversity plays in innovation and progress, AIP and its Member Societies are committed to fostering a culture that embraces diversity, advances equity, and promotes inclusion across the physical sciences.

In honor of Pride Month, we have gathered resources that support LGBTQ+ scientists and highlight contributions from the queer community to science and humanity.

  • For those of us in the LGBTQ+ community, Pride is at its roots a celebration of authenticity. And so at this time of year I am proud that AIP’s culture is one that not only celebrates and cultivates diversity in STEMM but also one that cultivates inclusion, so that all of us can be our authentic selves each day.
    Michael Moloney headshot
    Chief Executive Officer American Institute of Physics
  • Allyship is important! During Pride month and beyond, we recognize and support the contributions of LGBTQ+ people throughout the physical sciences. We still have a long way to go to improve equity and representation, which is why the AIP Federation launched a DEIBA Strategic Plan to foster a culture of inclusion – so everyone feels welcome and can thrive.
    Jovonni Spinner headshot
    Diversity, Equity and Belonging Officer American Institute of Physics
DEIBA Strategic Plan 2024-2029

The AIP Federation launched a strategic plan to advance Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging, and Accessibility (DEIBA) in the physical sciences community.

Celebrating an Empowered Spectrum of LGBTQ+ Trailblazers

Throughout June, AIP will be highlighting archival resources that celebrate the accomplishments of LGBTQ+ people in STEMM. By elevating their experiences, we hope to inform, inspire meaningful change, and promote inclusion. Be sure to share the stories that move you and follow our social channels to join in on the conversation. #PrideMonth

Pride Book Recommendations
Pride Month Book Recommendations
Delve into a curated collection of books and articles celebrating LGBTQ+ scientists and queer science history.
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Pride Month Podcast Recommendations
Tune into a curated list of podcasts featuring LGBTQ+ scientists.
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Teaching Guide on Ben Barres, Neurobiology Pioneer and Champion for Equity in STEM
Introduce your students to resources for understanding LGBTQ+ experiences in STEM and increasing their visibility in the scientific community.
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Initial Conditions Episode 6: Historical Romance and LGBTQ+ Representation
Listen to author Olivia Waite discuss the role of women in science in her regency-era romance novel, “The Lady’s Guide to Celestial Mechanics.”
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Wikipedia Dispatches: LGBT Physicists and Astronomers
Help the Niels Bohr Library & Archives create and edit Wikipedia pages for LGBTQ+ physical scientists.
LGBTQ+ Voices Unite Within STEMM

As we envision and work toward a future where the physical sciences thrive through the contributions of individuals from all backgrounds, there are guiding voices and important stories to light the way.

Explore articles and information from the Society of Physics Students, Physics Today, and the AIP Federation that highlight LGBTQ+ scientists’ experiences, fostering a more inclusive physics community, while Physics Today provides insightful interviews, best practices, and reporting on queer science issues.

In 2022, the physics club at City College of New York hosted its second annual LGBTQ+ in STEM event, featuring prominent professionals from the LGBTQ+ community discussing the importance of acceptance, intersectionality, and creating safe spaces in academia.

Several recent publications look at the work climate for LGBT+ students and professionals in academic STEM fields.

The MacArthur fellow’s efforts to minimize noise in gravitational-wave detection is yielding insights into the quantum behavior of macroscopic objects. Mavalvala is the first woman and first openly queer person to hold the MIT dean of sciences position.

A growing number of journal publishers are adopting policies to change authors’ names on past academic papers. The move to revise policies has been driven by trans scholars who want to have all their work, from before and after transitioning, under their new names.

Join Elena Long on her journey to find community and connection among LGBTQ+ physical scientists. In 2009, Long’s search for resources led to the creation of a support network, the APS LGBT Climate in Physics report, and a best practices guide.

Seven scientists tell Physics Today what it was like coming out professionally, how their sexual or gender identity interfaces with their careers, and how the environment could be improved in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.

Interested in applying to graduate school in physics, but don’t know where to start? The Society of Physics Students compiled a list of programs designed to increase the diversity within upper-level physics degree-earners.