Why It Matters!

Representation is Important

LGBT STATS is a book about numbers and queer people. Click on the image to find the book on Worldcat.org and a library near you!

The Facts:

1. LGBTQ people in STEM face obstacles that their heterosexual colleagues do not!

2. Reading and engaging with STEM materials at a young age improves critical thinking.

3. LGBTQ people are 17–21% less represented in STEM fields than expected.

4. LGBTQ people report more negative experiences in STEM than their non-LGBTQ counterparts.

5. Improving LGBTQ representation can help scientific research.

Acronyms and Terms

The terms and acronyms used are preferences of the creator of this site. Other sites may not use the same definitions.

LGBTQIA+: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual

LGBTQ+: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer

STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math

Science: catchall term from both hard and social sciences

Queer: may be used interchangeably for LGBTQIA+ by the author

Sources

Cech, E. A. & Pham, M. V. Soc. Sci. 6, 12 (2017).

Cech, E. Proc. 2015 Am. Soc. Eng. Educ. Natl Conf.https://doi.org/10.18260/p.24431 (2015).

Barres, B., Montague-Hellen, B., & Yoder, J. (2017). Coming out: the experience of LGBT+ people in STEM. Genome biology, 18(1), 62. doi:10.1186/s13059-017-1198-y

U.S. Department of Education (2016). STEM 2026: A vision for innovation in STEM education. https://innovation.ed.gov/files/2016/09/AIR-STEM2026_Report_2016.pdf Retrieved 18 April 2019.

Yoder, J. B. & Mattheis, A. J. Homosexuality 63, 1–27 (2016).