Sexual and Gender Diversity at 2012 AAPT/APS Physics Department Chairs conference
1. Sexual and Gender Diversity
Wouter Deconinck
2012 Physics Department Chairs Conference
âDeveloping an Inclusive Diversity Climateâ
LGBT+ Physicist WG: T. Atherton, R. Barthelemy, E. Long, M. Ramsey-Musolf, E. Simmons,...
2. Sexual and Gender Identity
â Gender (â biological sex at birth): result of socially
constructed ideas of how a particular sex acts
â Sexual orientation: pattern of attraction to a gender
â Lesbian, gay, bisexual, asexual
â Gender identity: gender a person identifies as
â Male, female, transgender (trans male, trans female)
â Gender expression
â How one chooses to act, independent of sex at birth
â Identity politics
â varying interpretations of different categories (e.g. queer)
2012 Physics Department Chairs Conference Sexual and Gender Diversity (W. Deconinck) 2
3. Campus Climate and Diversity
â Hurtado and Milem, Chang, Antonio: campus climate in
dimensions of historical legacy, structural diversity,
organizational, psychological, and behavioral climate
â initially applied to ethnic/racial diversity
â Effects of campus climate on success: research shows
â campus environment perceived as hostile â higher attrition
(Hurtado & Ponjuan, Guiffrida et al.)
â inclusive campus environments â students feel better
equipped for multicultural society (Gurin et al.)
â healthy campus climate â democratic skills and positive
learning (Hurtado & Ponjuan)
â gender discrimination â negative impact for women faculty
(Settles, Cortina, Malley, Stewart)
2012 Physics Department Chairs Conference Sexual and Gender Diversity (W. Deconinck) 3
4. Why Should You Care?
â Students: acceptance by peers and department, safety,
substance abuse, name on degree, identity
development, education, ...
â student recruiting, performance, retention!
â Faculty: productivity, sense of community, partner
benefits, dual-career issues, recognition of international
marriage and partner visas, âŠ
â faculty recruiting, performance, retention!
â Intersectionality: many people in multiple minorities
(gender, orientation, ethnicity, disability,...)
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5. Why Is This Timely?
â â2010 State of Higher â Exclusionary behavior
Ed for LGBT Peopleâ experienced, by source:
â Survey of 279 faculty in â 70% administrator
several academic areas â 30% students
â Experiences of LGB â Exclusionary behavior
faculty in STEM fields: experienced, by cause:
â 47% observed â 80% sexual identity
exclusionary behavior â 30% gender expression
â 21% experienced â 30% gender
exclusionary behavior
â 53% considered leaving
Reference: Rankin S., et al. (2010). Charlotte, NC: Campus Pride.
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6. APS March 2012: Sexual Diversity
â âFirst-ever session on sexual and gender diversity at a
major physics conference.â (APS News, April 2012)
â Six invited speakers and lively panel discussion
â Over 120 attendees throughout the session:
â 49% sexual/gender minority, 47% non-minority
â 60% students, 40% post-graduate (19% faculty)
â âI think showing successful academics who are out is an
important way to dispel the notion that being out precludes or
limits oneâs professional opportunities.â
â Need for data, for role models, and for awareness
â Strong support from APS for diversity and inclusiveness
Reference: Ackerman N. et al, in preparation.
2012 Physics Department Chairs Conference Sexual and Gender Diversity (W. Deconinck) 6
7. What Can You Do About It Today?
â In your department:
â Use gender neutral and inclusive language (âpartnerâ instead
of âwifeâ) in department communications
â Invite LGBT speakers to present colloquia
â Include LGBT faculty on departmental committees to offer
experiences and solutions (but avoid tokenism)
â At your institution:
â Participate in surveys that query LGBT demographics (e.g.
CampusPride climate index)
â Include protections for âsexual orientation, gender identity, and
gender expressionâ in EEO policies
â More actions in the handouts!
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8. Further Resources
â LGBT+Physicists
â http://lgbtphysicists.x10hosting.com
â CampusPride Climate Index
â http://campusclimateindex.org
â â2010 State of Higher Education for LGBT Peopleâ
â http://campuspride.org/research
â Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network
â http://www.glsen.org
â Out in STEM (oSTEM)
â http://www.ostem.org
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10. How Would You React?
â An undergraduate student in your program comes out
as transgender and asks you, the chair, about
resources and about the atmosphere in the
department.
â A lesbian faculty candidate asks you about health
benefits for her partner when you offer her a tenure
track position.
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