November 18 is the International Day of 2SLGBTQ+ People in STEM. This international event celebrates and highlights the work of 2SLGBTQ+ people in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. It also addresses the barriers that 2SLGBTQ+ people still face in STEM fields. Among those barriers are workplace discrimination, harassment, underrepresentation, and a lack of support within the STEM community.

Today we are celebrating 2SLGBTQ+ scientists and the incredible work that they contribute to the scientific community. Check out our Facebook page for more information on this year’s featured scientists.

We are also excited to feature the following organizations which provide year-round support and visibility:

What does 2SLGBTQ+ mean?

The acronym 2SLGBTQ+ is used to identify the community of people who identify as Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer/Questioning.

Edmonton-Based:

The Institute for Sexual Minority Studies & Services (iSMSS)

Faculty of Education, University of Alberta
Edmonton, AB

iSMSS is a Faculty of Education-based research group focused on studying issues that affect the 2SLGBTQ+ community. In addition to being a research institute, they provide many services to support the 2SLGBTQ+ community and its allies.

Services include:

• Camp FYrefly
• Where the Rivers Meet
• Scholarship resources for 2SLGBTQ+ university students
• Research and publications

Pride Centre of Edmonton

Edmonton, AB

The Pride Centre of Edmonton provides social opportunities and support to the diverse range of the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

Services include:

• Raricanow Refugees’ & Newcomers Gatherings
• QueerOUT
• TTIQ
• SMART Recovery

OUTreach

University of Alberta
Edmonton, AB

OUTreach is the University of Alberta's 2SLGBTQ+ and Allied Social Group. OUTreach strives to provide a safe, welcoming space for anyone who considers themselves a part of, or an ally to, the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

Sexuality, Pride, and Equality Alliance at King's University (SPEAK)

The King’s University
Edmonton, AB

SPEAK is a student-led initiative at The King’s University that provides a safe and comfortable space for 2SLGBTQ+ identifying students to support one another. In addition to beaing a peer support group, SPEAK provides outreach to 2SLGBTQ+ & ally students and faculty on The King’s University campus through SPEAK OUT and has a list of 2SLGBTQ+ friendly churches in the greater Edmonton area.

InQueeries

MacEwan University
Edmonton, AB

InQueeries is MacEwan University’s 2SLGBTQ+ Group and Pride Alliance. They provide social events and peer support to 2SLGBTQ+ students.

Canadian Resources:

Re:searching for 2SLGBTQ+ Health

Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto
Toronto, ON

Re:searching for 2SLGBTQ+ Health is a team of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, Two-Spirit, and queer (2SLGBTQ+) and ally researchers who focus on understanding how 2SLGBTQ+ people experience physical and emotional (mental) health, and how they access health services.

Projects include:

• The Canadian Coalition Against LGBTQ+ Poverty
• Creating Our Families: A pilot study of the experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people accessing assisted human reproductive services in Ontario
• Two-Spirited Roundtable Discussion Series

Queer Atlantic Canadian STEM (QAtCanSTEM)

Halifax, NS

QAtCanSTEM is a visibility and community building project aiming to enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion for Queer folks in STEM across the Atlantic Provinces (and Beyond!).

Pflag Canada

Ottawa, ON

Pflag Canada was founded by parents who wanted to help themselves and their family members understand and accept their 2SLGBTQ+ children. They offer support and counseling through local chapters and annonymous online interactions.

Egale

Toronto, ON

Egale is Canada’s leading organization for 2SLGBTQ+ people and issues. They improve and save lives through research, education, awareness, and by advocating for human rights and equality in Canada and around the world. Some services they provide are frequent publication of newsletters on current issues facing the 2SLGBTQ+ community as well as training and workshops to improve inclusion of 2SLGBTQ+ people in education, government, and workplaces.

International Resources:

Out in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (oSTEM)

Washington D.C., USA

oSTEM is a professional association for 2SLGBTQ+ people in the STEM community. With almost 90 student chapters at colleges/universities and professional chapters in cities across the North America and abroad, oSTEM is the largest chapter-based organization focused on 2SLGBTQ+ people in STEM.

Services include:

• Mentorship Program
• Leadership Program
• Annual Conference

National Organization of Gay and Lesbian Scientists and Technical Professionals (NOGLSTP)

Pasadena CA, USA

NOGLSTP is a membership-based professional society and a non-profit educational organization. They empower 2SLGBTQ+ individuals in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics by providing education, advocacy, professional development, networking, and peer support.

Services include:

• Mentoring Program
• Out to Innovate Career Summit
• Scholarships
• Symposia and Workshops

500 Queer Scientists

500 Queer Scientists is a visibility campaign for 2SLGBTQ+ people and their allies working in STEM and STEM-supporting jobs — a group that collectively represents a powerful force of scientific progress and discovery. We want to: ensure the next STEM generation has 2SLGBTQ+ role models; help the current generation recognize they’re not alone; and create opportunities for community connections and greater visibility within STEM.

Out Astronaut

The Out Astronaut Project is a collaboration between Stardom and Project PoSSUM to address the under-representation of 2SLGBTQ+ people in science and space. Their goal is to train and fly a member of the 2SLGBTQ+ community as a scientist-astronaut. This person would be an inspiration to the 2SLGBTQ+ community while enabling cutting-edge research.

Pride in STEM

Pride in STEM is run by an independent group of LGBT+ scientists & engineers from around the world. They aim to showcase and support all 2SLGBT+ people in STEM fields.