LGBTQIA+ Respect & Inclusion Resources

On this page, the IDEA Chapter has compiled some suggestions for the LGBTQIA+ community involving science and the workplace.

We have drawn on resources from Pride in Diversity, Australia’s national not-for-profit program supporting LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion; the AAS Committee for Sexual-Orientation and Gender Minorities in Astronomy, which works to promote equality for sexual-orientation and gender minorities in astronomy; the LGBT+ Inclusivity in Physics and Astronomy Best Practices Guide; the Australian Government Style Manual on inclusive language; and the Australian Human Rights Commission guidance on LGBTIQA+ rights. You may also find these resources useful.

What do we mean by LGBTQIA+ inclusion?

LGBTQIA+ inclusion means creating environments where people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expressions, and sex characteristics can participate fully and safely.

This includes, but is not limited to:

  • using people’s correct names and pronouns;
  • avoiding assumptions about someone’s gender, sexuality, partner, family, body, or identity;
  • not outing someone’s sexuality, gender history, trans status, or intersex variation;
  • making forms, name badges, toilets, accommodation, and event registration inclusive;
  • challenging homophobic, biphobic, transphobic, intersexist, or otherwise exclusionary comments;
  • ensuring codes of conduct and reporting pathways are visible and accessible;
  • recognising that LGBTQIA+ people may also experience racism, sexism, ableism, colonialism, classism, religious discrimination, or other forms of exclusion.

Examples of exclusionary behaviour:

Exclusion does not always look like open hostility. Small actions can still cause harm, especially when they happen repeatedly or in environments where someone has less power.

Examples include:

  • repeatedly using the wrong name or pronouns for someone;
  • making jokes about sexuality, gender identity, pronouns, or “political correctness”;
  • asking intrusive questions about someone’s body, medical history, transition, sex characteristics, or relationships;
  • assuming everyone is heterosexual or cisgender;
  • assuming someone’s partner is a “husband” or “wife”;
  • outing someone without their consent;
  • questioning whether someone “really belongs” in a women’s, men’s, queer, or gender-diverse space;
  • excluding LGBTQIA+ partners or families from events, invitations, travel planning, or social activities;
  • treating LGBTQIA+ inclusion as irrelevant to astronomy;
  • dismissing concerns as “just a joke” or “not a big deal”.

What to do if you experience LGBTQIA+ discrimination or disrespect:

If you experience discrimination, harassment, bullying, outing, misgendering, or other harmful behaviour, you may wish to:

  1. Write down what happened. Include dates, places, people present, what was said or done, and whether there were witnesses.
  2. Save any records. This may include emails, messages, screenshots, forms, event materials, or other documentation.
  3. Talk to someone you trust. This could be a friend, colleague, supervisor, mentor, student representative, union representative, equity officer, ombudsperson, staff network, or community support service.
  4. Check the relevant code of conduct or policy. Conferences, universities, schools, observatories, collaborations, and professional societies may have different reporting pathways.
  5. Decide what outcome you want. You might want the behaviour to stop, a correction to records, a safer arrangement, an apology, a formal complaint, or advice.
  6. Seek support before making a formal complaint. Reporting can be stressful. It may help to speak with a trusted person, support service, union, ombudsperson, or equity/diversity office first.
  7. Use external support if needed. In Australia, QLife provides anonymous and free LGBTIQ+ peer support and referral.

What to do if someone tells you they have experienced harm:

 

If someone comes to you about LGBTQIA+ discrimination, exclusion, or disrespect:

  • listen without interrupting;
  • thank them for trusting you;
  • do not minimise what happened;
  • do not say it was “just a joke”;
  • do not ask intrusive questions about their identity, body, medical history, relationships, or personal life;
  • do not out them to anyone else;
  • ask what support they want;
  • help them find the relevant code of conduct, reporting pathway, support service, equity office, union, ombudsperson, or staff/student network;
  • keep the matter confidential unless there is an immediate safety risk or a mandatory reporting obligation.

What astronomy communities and departments can do:

Astronomy departments, conferences, collaborations, observatories, outreach programs, classrooms, and online communities can take practical steps to support LGBTQIA+ inclusion.

Actions include:

  • include pronouns optionally on name badges, Zoom names, registration forms, and email signatures;
  • provide gender-neutral toilets where possible and make them easy to find;
  • allow chosen names on forms, badges, mailing lists, abstract systems, and event programs;
  • avoid requiring titles such as Mr/Ms/Mrs/Miss unless necessary;
  • use inclusive language for partners, families, carers, and support people;
  • ensure codes of conduct explicitly include sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and sex characteristics;
  • provide clear reporting pathways at conferences, events, and online spaces;
  • train chairs, organisers, supervisors, moderators, and committee members in inclusive practice;
  • ensure social events are not centred only on alcohol, gendered activities, or assumptions about relationships and families;
  • avoid placing the burden of LGBTQIA+ education only on LGBTQIA+ people;
  • check that fieldwork, observing trips, accommodation, and travel arrangements are safe and inclusive;

Recommended resources:

Astronomy and physical sciences

Australian inclusion and support

  • Pride in Diversity

    Australia’s national not-for-profit program supporting LGBTQ+ inclusion.

  • Australian Workplace Equality Index

    A benchmarking and roadmap tool for LGBTQ+ inclusion in organisations.

  • QLife

    Anonymous and free LGBTIQ+ peer support and referral in Australia.

  • Minus18

    LGBTQIA+ education, training, and youth-focused resources.

Language and everyday practice