Allies 101: How to Support and Affirm the LGBTQ+ Community in Lab and the Classroom

LGBTQ+ students have reduced retention rates in STEM compared to their heterosexual peers. 30% of STEM professionals are not ‘out’ to their colleagues. Welcoming workplaces increase the likely of professionals to be out to their collogues, while student LGBTQ+ supportive organizations decrease the odds of students encountering homophobic comments. In our workshop we will talk about ways to improve the lab and classroom environment for LGBTQ+ students and professionals for Allies. We will focus on easily changeable aspects of the classroom and lab culture to improve accessibility and support for LGBTQ+ folks. Other topics we will discuss include LGBTQ+ Vocabulary 101, how to find local LGBTQ+ resources and ways to bring them up for folks in need, and also discuss how to be a good ally for folks who are transitioning and coming out. This will be an interactive workshop, aimed to educated professionals and to also help them identify resources in their local communities.
What are pronouns and how do you know when to use which ones?
Someone just came out to me, what do I do?
Does my school/company have resources for LGBTQ+ folks?
Mental health resources for LGBT+ folks in my community?