Queer identities in materials science and engineering
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IN MATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING
Queer identities in materials science and engineering Keith J. Bowman Feature Editor: Lynnette D. Madsen
W
hat does queer mean? And how does identifying as queer affect one’s day-today life in the arena of materials science and engineering (MSE)? Although when I was growing up, “queer” was treated as an offensive term, queer has been adopted by a growing number of folks who do not conform to traditional societal conventions.1 This encompasses lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender, non-binary, intersex, asexual or other broadly related groups (LGBTQ+), and any similarly aligned subpopulations of humanity that can be broadly defined as gender and sexual minorities (GSM).2–4 Identity is an important attribute that has been tied to the effectiveness of efforts to broaden participation in science5 and engineering.6,7 Identity is important because our sense of self is derived from others, as are the social constructs that establish hierarchies on what is desirable or normal.8 If we associate success in a particular career path with a particular identity (e.g., heterosexual, cis-gender, white male), and our identity is other than that, we may carry an extra burden in achieving success in that career path.9 And, as we all have multiple identities (race, ethnicity, gender, religion) based upon various aspects of our backgrounds, it is evident that personal identities that coincide with the norms of a particular professional role are the easiest. The impacts of identity on self-efficacy are inherent to both imposter syndrome10 and stereotype threat.11 Sexual identity is framed primarily by the hegemony of heterosexual, binary gender people who set a heteronormative context and social rules for the workplace, even absent hostility or intentional discrimination.12 Without ill intent, the assumption often is that everyone is heterosexual. Heteronormativity, which establishes that heterosexuality is normal and privileged, and associated heterosexism can cause LGBTQ+ folks to “downplay the importance of gender and sexual orientation in their personal lives or to hide their queer identities
altogether.”12 This hiding of ourselves can include no family picture on a desk and no companion at social events connected to work. It means hiding who we are and distancing ourselves from most of our colleagues. It may also lead one’s closest colleagues and friends to be less likely to share your personal information to others out of discomfort or discomfort with possible responses. This can increase the burden on LGBTQ+ to share their personal context, particularly when confronted with questions that are commonplace if not always legal (e.g., when a gay married man is asked, “what does your wife do?” in a job interview or when a lesbian mom is presumed to not have children). Human resources (HR) personnel may question and ask you to explain your beneficiary and even challenge if s/he is a suitable recipient. Time and emotional energy are snatched away due to the most basic things. Several years ago, my
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