Historically, underrepresented groups have been an afterthought during the construction of national STEM infrastructure, which has largely been implemented without considering the relevance of community. Two glaring lapses in traditional infrastructure include: 1) the lack of data on LGBTQ+ people in STEM, and 2) resources to support the career advancement of LGBTQ+ people in the STEM fields. A new professional society, oSTEM (Out in Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics), is part of a larger effort to bridge this gap for LGBTQ+ communities. Over the last five years, the organization has grown to more than 50 chapters nationwide. The society’s growth is fostered by oSTEM Incorporated, the organization’s 501(c)(3) non-profit board, which is also responsible for funding, peer reviewed workshops, and logistics for the organization’s national annual conference. This year’s conference is a collaborative event that will host nearly 500 LGBTQ+ students and professionals from around the country. Since the society was founded, one primary focus has been to build a diverse community, which has always been a challenge for both STEM and LGBTQ+ communities. The organization still has much work to do in order to fully engage more women, underrepresented racial/ethnic minorities, and gender minorities, but the entire board is dedicated to succeeding in this area. Another recent focus has been to bridge the generational gap for LGBTQ+ communities, which lack a sustainable mentorship structure to foster career advancement. Beyond its primary dedication to building community and resources for students, oSTEM board members have also contributed to the first quantitative manuscript on the academic climate for LGBQ STEM faculty. All of these efforts align with the organization’s overarching vision of a world where all members of the STEM community can pursue their work in a safe and supportive environment that celebrates their contributions and differences.

Building a STEM community for the next generation

249th National Meeting (2015)

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