Written by Sarah Canarelli
Throughout the month of June, people across the country are celebrating the accomplishments and contributions made by all identities in the LGBTQ+ community. Last year, a preliminary list of trailblazing LGBTQ+ chemists was curated by guest editor Tehshik Yoon in C&EN's 2022 Trailblazer Issue. This issue sought to provide visibility to this marginalized community, with the hope that these out and proud LGBTQ+ chemists would inspire the next generation of young queer scientists. A number of other visibility movements have been initiated toward this goal, one of which is 500 Queer Scientists. 500 Queer Scientists is trying to connect the LGBTQ+ individuals and their allies working in STEM fields by providing a safe space for individuals to submit bios and stories. The hope is that these stories will not only help recruit the next generation of LGBTQ+ scientists, but also bring awareness and a sense of community to the current generation of queer scientists. More than 1,726 LGBTQ+ scientists have already submitted their stories and this number continues to grow. To learn more about 500 Queer Scientists, check out their website or follow them on Instagram (@500queerscientists) and Twitter (@500QueerSci).