Diversity, inclusion, equity, and respect are critical to improve and retain the pool of talent in STEM. However, a recent study revealed that LGBTQ STEM professionals were more likely to experience career limitations, harassment, and professional devaluation than their non-LGBTQ colleagues (Cech, E. A. et al., Science Advances, 2021, 7, DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abe0933). Workplace discrimination against LGBTQ+ scientists may leave them wondering if they have a welcoming space in STEM, including the chemical sciences. In Spring 2017, I co-organized the first LGBTQ+ chemistry graduate student and postdoc symposium in an effort to provide a space for LGBTQ+ chemists to share their scholarly research and network at an ACS national meeting. A powerful sense of community among the presenters grew out of the symposium, and catalyzed a yearly tradition in which GTCA organized an LGBTQ+ symposium for grad students and postdocs. In this presentation, I will summarize why LGBTQ+ students and postdocs need a space at ACS national meetings and describe how chemical professionals can support their LGBTQ+ colleagues.

Why LGBTQ+ chemists need a space in the American Chemical Society

ACS Fall 2021

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.