come out, come out, wherever you are
November 25th, 2009 by Ψ*ΨExcimer’s Lady Gaga post attracted a bit of outrage–wrongfully so, we believe. Here at CBC, we like to think our readers know better than to take us seriously, unless we are talking about science. (And even then…)
Not everyone shares our irreverent sense of humor, though. Some people may believe we’re attacking them.[1] And, uh, we’re not like that. Remember, the people who run this site will call you out for being an asshole in the comment thread.
We’re definitely not inclined to allow personal attacks on a group of which two of us are members. For the few of you who didn’t know–and I phrase it so because he has given ample hints–Excimer is gay. The majority of you didn’t know that I’m bisexual, but…you do now! And guess what? We have GLBT-inclined friends who are also scientists. And, we’re sure, GLBT readers who are scientists, many of whom are closeted.
While staying in the closet may keep you and your job secure, it doesn’t do much to change things for others. I don’t like living in a world where discrimination of any sort is acceptable. There is serious strength in numbers, folks. It helps to know that you’re not alone, and it helps to know who your allies are. With that in mind, we urge you to share your experiences here.
[1] We hold that it is still fair to be mean to biologists.
I’m coming out to give my support to any GLBTXYZ individuals in the audience.
I put my full support behind the GLBTXZ crowd, but those Yers can go straight to hell. Goddamn yags, they’re what’s wrong with America.
Isn’t that sort of optimistic? If we could nail it down to only the y’ers, then there might be hope for us yet.
don’t confuse my hatred for a hypothetical group of non-existent people of alternative sexuality with a sense of optimism. we’re all fucked.
though now that you mention it, my sense of optimism could use a booster shot. maybe i should post something about what i’m thankful for for thanksgiving. it will be short.
optimism booster shot: Lord of teh ringz
*Waves to all the other GLBT scientists out there*
I stuck the lady gaga one up on facebook, the (as far as I can tell) only gay guy in the department thought it was *hilarious*
aah, bishexual …kinky but nice, I think I’d like that.
Maybe I can meet older girls like like that, in our retirement community.
Like you said, at least you guys aren’t biologists. I don’t really see how your sexual orientation could affect your job. So long as you aren’t flagrantly annoying and try to convert people and be overly homosexual then I can’t see a problem. That is the only time I have ever been annoyed by a gay person. To be honest they are usually nicer than the average shmoe
Anyone can be as fabulously ‘flagrantly annoying’ as they want.
only if they don’t try rub up on you when they know you are straight as a nail. seriously, that is sexual harassment.
Hey there, all you other GLBT scientists!! I’m one too! Awesome that there’s more than just me! Unfortunately, although I’m out to everyone else, I’m still in the closet to my lab, and think I probably always will be. I go to a conservative, Catholic school, and homophobia is rampant, and I just can’t risk coming out. That’s not to say that I’ll tolerate homophobia in my lab – if anyone says anything homophobic, I’ll definitely call them out on it. But anyway, Yay for gay science!
As a registered Fag Hag To The Gays (FHTTGS) I approve of this message. I also do not know why I did not post the Lady Gaga proposal on my gay BFFs facebook wall, but I think that you all are brilliant and the comment thread basically reiterates every double entendre (HOMO, LUMO, nucleophile) we went through as Organic Chemistry students our sophomore year.
If women and gay guys want to marry, so what? Gay marriage means their nails and hair will be perfect, and the house will be spotless. If guys and lesbians want to marry, so what? Gay marriage means the oil will be changed and the roof will be fixed. Ban Fundamentalist Republicans. Vicious stupidity has no rational justification beyond abundance.
Uncle Al likes his ST 24/40 joints straight – acquired taste.
One more gay scientist for the mix *waves*
I’m also a biologist, but I’ve come to terms with the fact that i’m going to hell for my sinful biological lifestyle ^_^
Regarding the NSF-GFRP, did any mention of this make a difference? Mostly means underrepresented groups means racial groups, but does “teh gay” count?
I didn’t mention it…I don’t even think I mentioned being a woman. IMO, being a first-gen was more of an obstacle…no telling whether the NSF will agree.
Sorry, I should have given it some context.
In the reply blog post at “Chemistry Blog” excimer posted he mentioned that he stated this in his NSF-GFRP application
Yeah, I did. Didn’t give me much ground. Which, all things considered, isn’t surprising. Race, gender, and first-gen college students are bigger obstacles than sexuality in science.
First-gen status is a weird obstacle. It’s not so much that anyone will discriminate against you because your parents didn’t go to college…I think it can bring about some defensive class issues, though, and there’s a general cluelessness that results from having no guidance and little family support. With a good mentor, it becomes a little easier, but it’s not difficult to screw things up pretty badly before FINDING a good mentor.
I don’t like the idea of discrimination on the basis of race/gender/orientation, but I suspect that sexuality is less of an issue only because race and gender are so difficult to conceal.
The NSF is only the organizer and conduit for the applications. There are many, many panels of invited scientists for the various topical areas. As far as I have heard they are focused on the work in their areas and could care less about whoever does it as long as it is good. They gather for a few intense days reading and deliberating. Heck, from those I know, your sexual orientations, gender, ethnicity, et cetera might be pluses, not minuses. More important issues are like how much your professor or institution ought to or ought to not weigh.
[...] http://www.coronene.com/blog/?p=1105 [...]
I am hereby declaring my support for behavioral economists and evolutionary psychologists who need to come out.
I support you, whatever your charge/polarity/preference/orientation/sexuality/inclination. I’m straight, but I have lots of friends who are not. I may not like the same flavor as you, but I support your right to like it, and I won’t sit still for anyone trying to deny it to you.
only if they don’t try rub up on you when they know you are straight as a nail.
Well, frankly, I’d take exception to someone ‘rubbing up on me’ outside of a reasonable context unless we were really good friends, without respect to sex/politics/species/favorite sports team. There isn’t any excuse for bad manners.