Image credit: Wellcome Sanger Institute
International Day of LGBTQIA+ People in STEM falls on 18 November each year to celebrate the work, and highlight the barriers, of LGBTQIA+ people in science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM).
To mark this day, we asked our Campus colleagues to share their recommendations of things to read, watch, and listen to, that they felt had LGBTQIA+ representation.
Many members of the LGBTQIA+ community feel that they can’t be themselves at work, and we all have a role in making science, and society, a more open and inclusive place.
Read their recommendations below.
Rachael Smith
Media Officer and Social Media Lead (she/her)
“I have chosen the book Bi: The Hidden Culture, History and Science of Bisexuality, by Julia Shaw. Dr Julia Shaw is a scientist who speaks about being bisexual openly. This book helped me understand and put words to feelings that I’ve had since I realised I was bisexual. It is written beautifully and I recommend it to everyone.”
Rachael Smith
Rachael Smith
Rachael Smith, Media Officer and Social Media Lead (she/her)
“I have chosen the book Bi: The Hidden Culture, History and Science of Bisexuality, by Julia Shaw. Dr Julia Shaw is a scientist who speaks about being bisexual openly. This book helped me understand and put words to feelings that I’ve had since I realised I was bisexual. It is written beautifully and I recommend it to everyone.”
Cybele Fernandes
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Manager (she/her)
“My recommendation is the film The Imitation Game. This film brilliantly depicts Alan Turing's extraordinary contributions to history and science. It not only showcases his genius in breaking the Enigma code but also sensitively explores the challenges he faced as a gay man in a time of profound discrimination. Through its compelling narrative and historical significance, the movie serves as an inspiring tribute, commemorating LGBTQ+ in STEM.”
Cybele Fernandes
Cybele Fernandes
Cybele Fernandes, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Manager (she/her)
“My recommendation is the film The Imitation Game. This film brilliantly depicts Alan Turing's extraordinary contributions to history and science. It not only showcases his genius in breaking the Enigma code but also sensitively explores the challenges he faced as a gay man in a time of profound discrimination. Through its compelling narrative and historical significance, the movie serves as an inspiring tribute, commemorating LGBTQ+ in STEM.”
Lorenzo Mazza
Advanced Research Assistant (he/him)
“I want to recommend the film Red, White & Royal Blue. It reminded me of a video where two skeletons expressed love behind a clear screen. The video showed that, deep down, we're all the same, regardless of our relationships. The film made me imagine a world where we are true to ourselves—no labels, no gender expectations, and no social positions. What if we could experience love simply and genuinely.”
Lorenzo Mazza
Lorenzo Mazza
Lorenzo Mazza, Advanced Research Assistant (he/him)
“I want to recommend the film Red, White & Royal Blue. It reminded me of a video where two skeletons expressed love behind a clear screen. The video showed that, deep down, we're all the same, regardless of our relationships. The film made me imagine a world where we are true to ourselves—no labels, no gender expectations, and no social positions. What if we could experience love simply and genuinely.”
Siew-Yit Yong
Senior Software Developer (they/them)
“I recommend the Safe Space podcast. I have chosen this podcast because I think that it is a great way to learn more about queer history. Being a trans person, I especially appreciated learning about the world’s first transgender clinic in Berlin before World War II.
“I also have recently re-read Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe. Even though it’s a few years old, I still feel it’s an incredibly honest account of a gender-queer person.”
Siew-Yit Yong
Siew-Yit Yong
Siew-Yit Yong, Senior Software Developer (they/them)
“I recommend the Safe Space podcast. I have chosen this podcast because I think that it is a great way to learn more about queer history. Being a trans person, I especially appreciated learning about the world’s first transgender clinic in Berlin before World War II.
“I also have recently re-read Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe. Even though it’s a few years old, I still feel it’s an incredibly honest account of a gender-queer person.”
More recommendations from our colleagues
The Normal Heart is a film and an autobiographical theatre play about the beginnings of the HIV/AIDS pandemic in New York. A similar topic to the recent hit It’s a Sin (also very recommendable) but released more than 30 years ago. Despite dealing with such a dramatic topic, it manages to show different (past and present) phases of LGBTQ+ life, including shame, happiness, discrimination, and love.
Six Feet Under: Nowadays it might be considered a slow-paced TV show, but twenty years ago, there weren’t many references about gay protagonist characters enjoying a happy and inclusive life out of the closet, while at the same time facing challenges that many of us can identify with. The cherry on the top is the series finale, considered one of the best ever in many rankings.
Find out more
LGBTQIA+ in STEM is run by the Pride in STEM organisation.
List of movies and and TV shows that have LGBTQ+ representation.
For other LGBTQIA+ recommendations, check out our LGBTQ+ heroes blog post.
