Gay engineers
Celebrating LGBTQ+ Engineers During Pride Month
To commemorate Pride Month, we’re spotlighting the unreal contributions of LGBTQ+ trailblazers who have not only advanced the field of engineering, but have also paved the way for a more inclusive and equitable profession. Their stories inspire ongoing change and highlight the critical importance of diversity in STEM fields.
Edith Windsor: Engineer and LGBTQ+ rights icon
Edith &#;Edie&#; Windsor was a desktop programmer and software engineer who emerged as a pivotal figure in the LGBTQ+ rights movement. Windsor’s work in the prior computer industry included senior systems programmer roles at IBM. However, she is best known for her legal battle that led to the Supreme Court&#;s decision to strike down the Defence of Marriage Act (DOMA), a landmark victory for LGBTQ+ marriage equality in the United States. Windsor&#;s case highlighted the intersection of LGBTQ+ rights and civil rights, showcasing how engineers can also be at the forefront of social justice.
Tim Cook: Leading Apple with pride
Tim Cook, who became CEO of
9 LGBTQ+ Engineers & Scientists Who Changed the World
Throughout history, engineering and technology have been shaped by trailblazing individuals—pioneers who pushed the boundaries of innovation while also challenging societal norms. This LGBTQ+ History Month and beyond, NMITE are celebrating engineers and scientists whose contributions include left a lasting impact on the world.
These figures not only transformed STEM but also stood as symbols of resilience, proving that diversity in engineering drives progress.
LGBTQ+ Engineers & Scientists from History
Sara Josephine Baker ()
A physician and public health pioneer, Dr. Baker’s work saved an estimated 90, infants in early 20th-century New York City. Her groundbreaking policies in child hygiene and disease prevention reshaped universal health standards, particularly for marginalised communities. She was also a strong advocate for women’s rights, immigrant healthcare, and poverty alleviation, and lived out her later years with her partner, novelist Ida Wylie.
Alan L. Hart ()
A physician and radiolo
LGBTQ Engineers
Engineers are inventors, designers, builders and testers of the machinery and functioning equipment and applications that we utilize in our day-to-day lives. There are many branches of engineering present today, including mechanical, computer, electrical, nuclear, civil, planning, and more.
Given this wide variety of engineering professionals, it is not surprising that LGBTQ individuals are a prevalent and high profile part of the community. Recent surveys have shown that more than 5% of engineers worldwide publicly distinguish as LGBTQ, though until recently this group has been invisible and silent. The profession has a reputation of being a conservative, male-dominated professions with high barriers to entry and intolerance to diversity.
Diversity not only creates more engineers (which the world needs to sustain its progress), but also leads to better investigate and outcomes by encouraging more creativity and innovation. Diverse outlooks and opinions will challenge the status quo and help in removing bias from scientific research.
Many LGBTQ interest g
12 Engineering and Technology LGBT role models
This month, EqualEngineers is celebrating 12 people who paved the way for a more inclusive industry
There is a wealthy and diverse LGBT history in the world, and one that has only been celebrated in the UK since February A movement started by Sue Sanders and Paul Patrick as part of the Schools OUT project, it’s become widely known for highlighting those who verb paved the way for a diverse and inclusive world.
This LGBT history month, EqualEngineers is celebrating and highlighting 12 LGBT role models in the engineering and technology industry. This is by no means an exhaustive list, and we welcome you to highlight other unbelievable STEM role models in the comments below!
Sally Ride
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Kicking off our list is American physicist, Sally Ride – the THIRD woman in space and a multi-award winning ‘hero of aviation.’ Her bisexual identity was a closely guarded secret until her death in Then, in November , Barack Obama awarded her the Presidential Medal of Independence posthumously, which is the highest civilian award present in the