On Thursday, November 18, 2022, the International Day of LGBTQIA+ People in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) will be observed around the world. This special day is dedicated to celebrating the achievements of LGBTQIA+ individuals in STEM fields, and acknowledging the contributions they have made and continue to make to the scientific and technological frontiers. At Works, we are proud to recognise and commend the hard work and dedication of all LGBTQIA+ scientists. We hope that this day serves as a reminder of the importance of inclusion and equality in all aspects of STEM, and we look forward to continuing to support and celebrate the LGBTQIA+ scientists of today and tomorrow.
November 19th marks the sixty-first anniversary of Frank Kameny’s pioneering campaign against occupational discrimination. Kameny, an astronomer and homosexual activist, was famously discharged from the United States Army due to his sexual orientation, prompting him to file a petition with the United States Supreme Court. On this day, we recognise the accomplishments and challenges faced by members of the LGBTQIA+ community in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
As the data show, Kameny’s battle continues to this day:
- Studies have found that up to 20% of transgender individuals and 28% of LGBTQIA+ persons have considered leaving their job due to a hostile work environment or prejudice against them. This statistic is evidence of an issue that needs to be addressed in the workplace in order to ensure a fair and equitable working environment for all.
- One in every three physicists in America was advised to remain in the closet in order to advance in their jobs.
- In their own departments, half of the transgender or gender nonconforming physicists were harassed.
Works strives to create a warm and inviting environment for all software engineers on their journeys. We are convinced that by accepting and celebrating diversity, we can lead humanity to extraordinary accomplishments in all areas of business.
As a consequence, the Palo Alto-based organisation is making a concerted effort to create a secure and supportive environment where developers from all around the world can express themselves freely and thrive.
We cordially invite you to join us on November 18th as we recognise and celebrate the tremendous contributions of our LGBTQIA+ employees and developers to our company’s growth and success. On this day, we will also take the opportunity to discuss how we can make STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) a more inclusive environment for all. We look forward to seeing you there.
