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Originally Posted by indieFan
Can someone please list some of the issues that affect the LGBT+ members within the FIRST and/or STEM contexts that would be addressed by this blog?
I'm trying to understand how it fits in, but still have no clue.
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I would like for you to read these quotes:
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Like most academic and research institutions in the US, the overwhelming majority of the lead researchers in the museum department where I did my research were white cis-gendered (a term used to describe people who identify with the gender they were assigned at birth) heterosexual men. Growing up in the Midwest as a mixed-race, gay, Jewish, boyish girl, I never saw myself reflected in any of the science teachers I had, and struggled to visualize myself in a career in science.
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Most people in science don’t intend to make life difficult to for trans researchers, but there are still many barriers, both systematic and cultural, to recruiting and sustaining the next generation of transgender scientists.
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from
this wired article.
This shows that while you may not understand why a blog like this is needed, many who would otherwise choose STEM fields choose to not pursue them because they feel ostracized and have no role models to look up to. This is not just true of trans people, but of all people. That is why groups supporting women, minorities, etc in STEM exist. It is to help the marginalized realize that there were trailblazers before them and to have mentors and leaders to look up to.
Many in FIRST look up to Dean, Dr. Flowers, and all of the WFFA and WFA winners because they all inspire us in one way or another. The LGBTQ+ community deserves to have these role models as well, and while many may not be as visible as a WFA winner, or Dean or Dr. Flowers, if a blog like this has the potential to provide that inspiration, and if for no other reason, isn't that good enough?