Fourteen Recommendations to Create a More Inclusive Environment for LGBTQ+ Individuals in Academic Biology

CBE Life Sci Educ. 2020 Sep;19(3):es6. doi: 10.1187/cbe.20-04-0062.

Abstract

Individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and otherwise nonstraight and/or non-cisgender (LGBTQ+) have often not felt welcome or represented in the biology community. Additionally, biology can present unique challenges for LGBTQ+ students because of the relationship between certain biology topics and their LGBTQ+ identities. Currently, there is no centralized set of guidelines to make biology learning environments more inclusive for LGBTQ+ individuals. Rooted in prior literature and the collective expertise of the authors who identify as members and allies of the LGBTQ+ community, we present a set of actionable recommendations to help biologists, biology educators, and biology education researchers be more inclusive of individuals with LGBTQ+ identities. These recommendations are intended to increase awareness of LGBTQ+ identities and spark conversations about transforming biology learning spaces and the broader academic biology community to become more inclusive of LGBTQ+ individuals.

MeSH terms

  • Biology / education*
  • Bisexuality*
  • Curriculum
  • Female
  • Gender Identity
  • Homosexuality, Female*
  • Humans
  • Publications
  • Sexual and Gender Minorities*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Transgender Persons*
  • Vocabulary