There are some tech internships my kid is applying to that specifically mentioned being LGBTQ as a marginalized community. My kid is trans, so I think that is kind of true, although being a trans woman programmer is kind of a stereotype (obvious reasons for that). I also saw an internship listed for Microsoft specifically for neurodivergence, and I thought…really? Having known a lot of programmers, there seems to be no shortage of people in the industry on the spectrum.

There are tons of queer women in stem

Anonymous wrote:Is being LGBTQ considered being part of an “underrepresented population” in STEM field? For scholarships, fellowships etc?

Does this matter to STEM?
Underrepresented how?
Aren’t LGBTQ-identifying people free to join the STEM field just like everyone else? Would STEM somehow experience a boost in research as a result of a concerted effort to recruit more LGBTQ practitioners? What and in what way?
Why is identity more important that across-the-board interest and competency?

Anonymous wrote:This is actually a good question, but there is no way to identify as LGBTQ for hiring purposes, and it would be tough to verify, especially if you are fluid.

Honestly, this is a great idea for a potential lawsuit if you want to get them to eliminate affirmative action employment practices.

For scholarships, fellowships etc I don’t know. But it is a studied fact that gay men are under represented in STEM fields by between 8-12% as compared to straight men.

By contrast lesbians are over represented in STEM fields as compared to straight women.

I work for the government in STEM and there are several people (at least 5?) who identify as LGBTQ+ in our Division of 30 people. There is a trans-man in senior leadership in our organization.
I would guess that in the more physical sciences (engineering, math, comp sci, physics) it would be less so.

OP here. Thanks.

This is actually a good question, but there is no way to identify as LGBTQ for hiring purposes, and it would be tough to verify, especially if you are fluid.

no its not, URM is black, AA, hispanic, latino, 2 or more races, American Indian, Hawaiian and other pacific islander and women.

Is being LGBTQ considered being part of an “underrepresented population” in STEM field? For scholarships, fellowships etc?