Celebrating the history of LGBT+ people’s contributions to science and medicine 

|
|

LGBT+ people have always been important and contributing members of our communities, seen or unseen. Since 2005, LGBT+ History Month UK has been marked every February to recognize the history, achievements, and contributions of the queer community.(1)

This year, the theme for LGBT+ History Month is ‘Medicine #UnderTheScope,’ giving us an opportunity to raise awareness of members of the LGBT+ community who have made a difference in medicine and healthcare. How many LGBT+ scientists can you name? Perhaps you’ve heard of Alan Turing
(1912–1954), the well-known mathematician and computer scientist who was instrumental in cracking the Enigma Code during World War 2, but who also took his own life not long after being outed, or Sally Ride (1951–2012), American astronaut, physicist, educator, and advocate for girls and women in STEM, whose 27-year-long same-sex relationship wasn’t disclosed until after her death.(2,3) Today, the erased histories and identities of many queer people in STEM can be uncovered in a few clicks, and we encourage you to look into them.

Many talented LGBT+ people in medicine had profound influence in shaping the world as we know it. To name but a few:

  • Sophia Jex-Blake (1840–1912), a physician and teacher who spent years as part of “The Edinburgh Seven” campaigning to secure women access to a university education and practice medicine, leading to the Medical Act which allowed UK medical institutions to qualify doctors regardless of gender(4)
  • Cecil Belfield Clarke (1894–1970), a physician and civil rights activist who fought for equality of Black health professionals in the UK and developed the – misnamed – Clark’s rule, an arithmetic formula used to calculate the proper dosage of medicine for children aged 2–17(5)
  • Ewan Forbes (1912–1991), a physician and farmer who underwent a dehumanizing trial to validate his gender and inherit his family’s aristocratic title, which he won, making a significant impact on the course of trans legal rights in the UK and the perception of trans identity in society(6)

LGBT+ people are our teachers, doctors, nurses, and researchers. They may be our colleagues, our clients, or the thought leaders with whom we collaborate. From contributing to the advancement of medicine to advocating for equality in our society, LGBT+ people deserve to be recognized for their achievements and respected as their true selves. Unfortunately, queer history is as bleak as it is colorful. As you might already know, LGBT+ History Month UK coincides with the repeal of Section 28, a harmful law prohibiting local authorities from teaching or talking about homosexual relationships from 1988
until 2003 in England and Wales (Scotland repealed the law in 2000), with lasting effects on
already-marginalized LGBT+ people and society.

Visibility is still a risk for LGBT+ academics in STEM in the UK and queer people are statistically
under-represented in STEM fields.(7–9) Stigma around being out at work is pervasive, and the
double-standard is real – it is often perceived as “unprofessional” for LGBT+ people to disclose their sexual orientation at work, despite heterosexual colleagues being out without issue. Once out, LGBT+ persons are more likely to experience social marginalization, harassment, and limited career opportunities compared to their non-LGBT+ peers.(10) LGBT+ people also more frequently report health difficulties and are more likely to leave STEM.(9,10)

Queer scientists carry the additional load of weighing personal safety against career opportunities; for example, work may involve travel to places where the safety of LGBT+ people is at risk. These challenges are often compounded for trans people, LGBT+ people of color, and LGBT+ people with disabilities, as well as people with multiple marginalized identities who must navigate discrimination as a result of each intersecting identity.

Increasing awareness and education about LGBT+ history and the contributions of queer individuals in science and medicine (and indeed throughout society) is fundamental to overcoming intolerance and promoting inclusion. Discrimination towards the LGBT+ community persists, and the road to equality is long. LGBT+ people need more role models, safe spaces, and recognition, in STEM and beyond.

  1. Schools OUT. LGBT+ History Month. Available at: https://lgbtplushistorymonth.co.uk/.
  2. UK: The Education Hub. LGBT+ History Month: Alan Turing and his enduring legacy. 19 February 2021. Available at: https://educationhub.blog.gov.uk/2021/02/19/lgbt-history-month-alan-turing-and-his-enduring-legacy/.
  3. Rosenthal M. Sally Ride. Queer Portraits in History. Available at: https://www.queerportraits.com/bio/ride.
  4. O’Rourke C. Queer Women in the History of Medicine: Sophia Jex-Blake and Women’s Education in Victorian Britain. University of Toronto Libraries: Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library. Available at: https://fisher.library.utoronto.ca/fisher-blog/queer-women-history-medicine-sophia-jex-blake-and-womens-medical-education-victorian.
  5. Tonkin T. A forgotten hero. British Medical Association. 25 May 2023. Available at: https://www.bma.org.uk/news-and-opinion/a-forgotten-hero.
  6. University of Aberdeen. Book Week Scotland event explores the hidden case of Ewan Forbes. 10 November 2022. Available at: https://www.abdn.ac.uk/news/16524/.
  7. Reggiani M, Gagnon JD, Lunn RJ. LGBT + academics’ and PhD students’ experiences of visibility in STEM: more than raising the rainbow flag. Int J High Educ
  8. Cech EA, Pham MV. Queer in STEM Organizations: Workplace Disadvantages for LGBT Employees in STEM Related Federal Agencies. Soc Sci 2017;6(1):12.
  9. Aramati Casper AM. Revealing the queer-spectrum in STEM through robust demographic data collection in undergraduate engineering and computer science courses at four institutions. PLoS One 2022;17(3):e0264267.
  10. Cech EA, Waidzunas TJ. Systemic inequalities for LGBTQ professionals in STEM. Sci Adv 2021;7(3):eabe0933.

Women deserve better

Embracing a New Chapter: Returning to Work After a 10-Year Career Break

Catalysing creative conversations through diversity of thought

Privacy Policy

Updated October 2022

This website, www.wearescientific.com, is operated by AS&K Communications Limited (“we”, “our” or “us”) as the holding company for Group Scientific (known hereas “Scientific Group”). We are committed to safeguarding and preserving the privacy of our visitors. By using and visiting our website and by submitting your personal information to us you agree to us using your personal information as set out in this privacy policy. This Privacy Policy document (the “Policy”) explains what happens to any personal data that you provide to us, or that we collect from you whilst you visit our site and how we use cookies on this website. We respect the privacy of users of our website and recognise that when you choose to provide us with information about yourself, you trust us to act in a responsible manner with that information. This privacy policy contains important information about how we use your personal information.

Scientific Group reserves the right to amend or modify this Privacy Policy Statement at any time and in response to changes in applicable data protection and privacy legislation. All changes will be posted on this page. We encourage you to review our Policy periodically to remain informed of changes that may have occurred.

Information That We Collect

In running and maintaining our website we may collect and process the data about you. We may gather the following information about you:

  • Information about your use of our site including details of your visits such as pages viewed and the resources that you access. Such information includes traffic data, location data and other communication data
  • Identifiable Information submitted by you or someone acting on your behalf. Generally this information is requested when you want us to provide you with information. We will collect personal information that can identify you, such as your name, e-mail address, and other similar information (“Your Information”) when it is voluntarily submitted to us
  • Information that you provide when you communicate with us by any means
  • Information provided by you in relation to submitting a job application to us (this may include sensitive personal information e.g. ethnic origin)

Use of Your Information

We use the information that we collect from you to provide our services to you. In addition to this we may use the information for one or more of the following purposes:

  • To provide information to you that you request from us relating to our products or services.
  • To provide information to you relating to other products that may be of interest to you. Such additional information will only be provided where you have consented to receive such information.
  • To inform you of any changes to our website, services or goods and products.
  • To process and consider your job application

If you have previously purchased goods or services from us, we may provide to you details of similar goods or services, or other goods and services that you may be interested in.

We never give your details to third parties to use your data to enable them to provide you with information regarding unrelated goods or services.

Storing Your Personal Data

In operating our website it may become necessary to transfer data that we collect from you to other group companies, affiliates and third parties to help us process your personal information for the purposes set out in this policy. Some of these locations may be outside of the European Union. By providing your personal data to us, you agree to this transfer, storing and processing. We do our utmost to ensure that all reasonable steps are taken to make sure that your data is stored securely and that the third parties who receive your personal information are required to keep it confidential..

We are a global company and therefore we may transfer your personal information to countries around the world including the US and other countries outside Europe. We will, where necessary, put in place appropriate safeguards to ensure your information is protected.

Disclosing Your Information

We will not disclose your personal information to any other party other than in accordance with this Privacy Policy and in the circumstances detailed below:

  • In the event that we sell any or all of our business to a buyer, in which case we will require any such buyer to agree to treat Your Information in accordance with this Privacy Policy Statement.
  • Where we are legally required by law to disclose your personal information.
  • To further fraud protection and reduce the risk of fraud.


Third Party Links

On occasion we include links to third parties on this website. Where we provide a link it does not mean that we endorse or approve that site’s policy towards visitor privacy. You should review their privacy policy before sending them any personal data. These websites may use cookies and collect your personal information in accordance with their own privacy policies. This privacy policy does not apply to third party websites and we are not responsible for third party websites.

How long do we keep your information?

We will keep your information for a reasonable period for the purposes set out above.

Contacting Us

Please do not hesitate to contact us regarding any matter relating to this Privacy Policy and to have any inaccuracies in your information corrected via email at info@wearescientific.com or by phone at: +44 (0) 20 7428 2900

Or by post at:

AS&K Communications Limited
Data Protection/Scientific Group
5–6 Underhill Street
London
NW1 7HS
UK

Terms of Use

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Last Updated 6 October 2022  

By accessing this website you agree to be bound by these Terms & conditions (“terms”), please read them carefully. If you do not agree to be bound by these terms you should not access or view this website.

Who we are:
AS&K Communications Ltd. The holding company for Group Scientific (known hereas ‘Scientific Group’)
We are registered in England and Wales under registration number: 05169581
Our trading office is: 5-6 Underhill Street, Camden, London, N1W 7HS, United Kingdom
VAT Registration number: GB 272753585.

  1. The information contained in this website is intended for general information purposes only. Scientific Group has made all reasonable efforts to ensure that the information on this website is accurate at the time of inclusion, however there may be inaccuracies and occasional errors for which Scientific Group apologises.
  2. Scientific Group makes no representations or warranties about the information provided through this website, including any hypertext links to any website or other items used either directly or indirectly from this website. AS&K accepts no liability for any inaccuracies or omissions in this website and any decisions based on information contained in Scientific Group’s websites are the sole responsibility of the visitor.
  3. The information and images contained within this website are © Copyright Group Scientific. We permit you to make copies of this website as necessary incidental acts during your viewing of it; and you may take a print for your personal use of so much of the site as is reasonable for private purposes. You may not frame this site nor link to a page other than the home page without our express permission in writing. 
  4. You shall not use this website for any illegal purposes and in particular agree that you shall not send, use, copy, post or allow any posting which is defamatory or obscene within the meaning of the Obscene Publications Act or which is abusive, indecent or in breach of the privacy of any person. You agree not to send any unsolicited promotional or advertising material, spam or similar materials or any volume messages that may interfere with the operation of this website or with the enjoyment of this website by other visitors.
  5. Scientific Group reserves the right at any time and without notice to enhance, modify, alter, suspend or permanently discontinue all or any part of this website and to restrict or prohibit access to it.
  6. You hereby agree to indemnify Scientific Group against any costs, claims, losses and damages (including legal fees) incurred by or awarded against Scientific Group as a result of your misuse of this website or your breach of these terms.
  7. If you are in breach of these terms or, of Scientific Group’s Privacy Policy, Scientific Group may as its option, suspend or block your access to this website and refuse to provide you with any further access to it.
  8. This website is provided to you free of charge, and neither Scientific Group nor any of its subsidiary or affiliated companies accept any liability to you (except in the case of personal injury or death caused by its negligence or for fraud or as required by law) whether in contract, tort (including negligence) or otherwise, arising out of it in connection with this website. Scientific Group accepts no liability for any direct, special, indirect or consequential damages, or any other damages of whatsoever kind resulting from whatever cause through the use of any information obtained either directly or indirectly from this website. Your sole remedy is to discontinue using this website.
  9. These terms may be amended by Scientific Group from time to time.
  10. Your use of this website and downloads from it, and the operation of these terms & conditions, shall be governed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. The English courts shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any dispute arising out of your use of this website.

In the event that any or any part of the terms contained in these terms & conditions shall be determined by any competent authority to be invalid, unlawful or unenforceable to any extent, such term shall to that extent be severed from the remaining terms which shall continue to be valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.

Please send any enquiries by email: info@wearescientific.com

Contact us by phone: +44 (0) 207 428 2900

Or by post:
Scientific Group – AS&K Communications
5–6 Underhill Street  
London NW1 7HS
United Kingdom

Cookie Policy

A cookie is a small piece of data (text file) that a website – when visited by a user – asks your browser to store on your device in order to remember information about you, such as your language preference or login information. Those cookies are set by us and called first-party cookies. We also use third-party cookies – which are cookies from a domain different than the domain of the website you are visiting – for our advertising and marketing efforts.

More specifically, we use cookies and other tracking technologies for the following purposes:

  • Assisting you in navigation;

  • Assisting in registration to our events, login, and your ability to provide feedback;

  • Analyzing your use of our products, services or applications;

  • Assisting with our promotional and marketing efforts. (including behavioral advertising)

Below is a detailed list of the cookies we use on our Website. Our Website is scanned with our cookie scanning tool regularly to maintain a list as accurate as possible. We classify cookies in the following categories:
  • Strictly Necessary Cookies

  • Performance Cookies

  • Functional Cookies

  • Targeting Cookies

You can opt-out of each cookie category (except strictly necessary cookies) by clicking on the “cookie settings” button below: Customize Settings

Cookie-List

A cookie is a small piece of data (text file) that a website – when visited by a user – asks your browser to store on your device in order to remember information about you, such as your language preference or login information. Those cookies are set by us and called first-party cookies. We also use third-party cookies – which are cookies from a domain different than the domain of the website you are visiting – for our advertising and marketing efforts. More specifically, we use cookies and other tracking technologies for the following purposes:

Strictly Necessary Cookies

These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable information.
Cookie Subgroups Cookies Cookies Used Lifespan
asandk.com ask_session First Party Session
asandk.com XSRF-TOKEN First Party Session
 

Analytics Cookies

These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources, so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If you do not allow these cookies, we will not know when you have visited our site.
Cookie Subgroups Cookies Cookies Used Lifespan
asandk.com ga,_gid First Party 730 Days, A few seconds,
 

Targeting Cookies

Targeting cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They can be used by these third parties to build a profile of your interests based on the browsing information they collect from you, which includes uniquely identifying your browser and terminal equipment. If you do not allow these cookies you will still see basic advertising on your browser that is generic and not based on your interests
Cookie Subgroups Cookies Cookies Used Lifespan
asandk.com _gat_gtag_xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx_gat_xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx First Party A few seconds, A few seconds, A few seconds
asandk.com, communications.asandk.com, visitor_id##### First Party 3650 Days
google.com 1P_JAR,_gcl_auNID,HSID,SSID,SIDCC,SID,SAPISID,DV Third Party 365 Days 180 Days, 183 Days,1095 Days,1095 Days,1095 Days,A few seconds
google.com __Secure-1PAPISID,__Secure-1PSID,__Secure-3PAPISID,__Secure-3PSIDCC,OTZ Third Party 1095 Days,1095 Days,,1095 Days,365 Days,,365 Days