Celebrating remarkable people
We commemorate LGBT+ History Month every February to appreciate the contribution that past role models of our sector have made, as well as provide education and insight into the issues that the LGBTQ+ community still face.
Minority groups are often exposed to some of the toughest laws and behaviours across the globe, especially those who identify with multiple protected characteristics. It is essential we continue to strive for an equal and diverse workforce, with our IET behaviours and allyship being central to our commitments.
We have pulled together a list of remarkable people to explore further the contributions that LGBTQ+ people have made to our sector and beyond.
Agnes E. Wells was the Dean of Women at Indiana University and a professor of mathematics and astronomy there. As a woman’s equal rights activist, she was a member of the National Woman’s Party and became its chair in 1949. She lived with her partner, Lydia Woodbridge.
Sally Ride (pictured) became the first American woman (and youngest American astronaut) to travel to space (third overall) in 1983, and in 2001 she co-founded a non-profit aimed at inspiring young women into #STEM. Sally is considered the first LGBTQ+ astronaut, however, her true sexuality was not publicly known until her death in 2012.
Megan Smith is an American engineer and technologist. She was the first woman and first lesbian to be appointed Chief Technology Officer of the United States (U.S. CTO) and Assistant to the President, serving under President Barack Obama. Prior to this, she was Vice President at Google. She’s also an activist and is involved heavily in philanthropic work.
Lynn Conway is a computer scientist, electrical engineer, inventor, and transgender woman. Despite incredible contributions at work, she was fired from her job at IBM in 1968 after she revealed her intention to transition. IBM later apologised for this in 2020. Although this is unfortunately still possible in some countries, within the majority of Europe and most US states a person’s employment can no longer be terminated for transitioning gender.
Alan L. Hart was one of the first trans men to undergo a hysterectomy in the US. He became a successful physician, radiologist, tuberculosis researcher, writer, and novelist. His work in pioneering the use of x-ray photography to screen for TB saved many lives.
Allan Hellman is a Swedish engineer considered to be the first man to openly admit his homosexuality in Sweden in 1950. He was the founder of RFSL – The rights of the Swedish National Association for homosexuals, bisexuals, transgender people and queer people. The Allan Hellman Prize was created in his honour and is awarded annually to someone who has worked to increase sexual equality in society.
Frank Kameny (pictured) was dismissed from his position as an astronomer in the U.S. Army's Army Map Service in Washington, D.C. because of his sexuality. He led the struggle against the American establishment and spearheaded a new period of militancy in the homosexual rights movement of the early 1960s. In 2020/21 we celebrated LGBTQ+ STEM day on 18 November 1960 as a reminder of the US Supreme Court ruling on what is historically thought of to be the first civil rights claim based on sexual orientation in US courts.
Frank Kameny features in our new Celebrating Impact stairwell exhibition at Savoy Place.
As CEO of Apple, Tim Cook has been described as one of the most powerful men alive today. In 2014, he publicly came out as gay, and now campaigns to protect LGBTQ+ rights. Cook revealed that his reason for coming out was to support and encourage LGBTQ+ people across the globe who saw few role models for them, particularly in STEM. In 2015, he received a Human Rights Campaign’s Visibility Award for his LGBTQ+ campaigning.
Stacey Milbern advocated for the fair treatment of people with disabilities, with a special focus on LGBTQ+/queer people with disabilities, identifying as queer and disabled herself. She helped create the disability justice movement and during the pandemic, delivered homemade disease-prevention kits, including hand sanitizer, disinfectant, and respirators, to residents of Oakland homeless encampments. She tragically passed away on 19 May 2020, her 33rd birthday, due to surgical complications.
The theme for 2022 LGBT+ History Month is Politics in Art. You can find more details about LGBT+ History Month on the website https://lgbtplushistorymonth.co.uk/