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FRANKFURT, GERMANY — It appears that academia still has much work to do in terms of fostering a positive and welcoming environment for transgender scientists. A new report written by 24 transgender scientists and their families details what it’s like to be a transgender person in the STEMM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics, medicine) community . More specifically, this study explains the historical origins of trans marginalization, explains how these prejudices impact the careers of transgender people in science and medicine, and It sets out actions that cisgender individuals and institutions can take to better support transgender people.
“We hope that transgender scientists will see this work as a beacon of hope,” Dori Grishiels, a neuroscientist and critic at the Max Planck Institute for Brain Research, said in a media release. “Being a trans scientist can be incredibly isolating, especially in hostile places, but we hope this commentary can give those scientists a sense of community.”
Today’s report explains that current anti-trans laws, rooted in anti-science and transphobic discourse, enable such a hostile and unpleasant environment.
“By taking a stand against this, scientists play an important role not only in trans liberation, but also in the integrity of science and public trust in science,” Grishiels added.
Challenges that transgender people must overcome hinder their ability to engage and participate in science and advance their careers.
“Legal and material insecurity hinders educational attainment and productive research careers, already a challenge for early career researchers, but even more so for transgender people. ”, the study authors wrote.
Transgender people are more likely to endure harassment and discrimination in both the general public and the workplace. The researchers explained that people face greater scrutiny than usual when it comes to “adhering” to what many people consider “professional” dress and behavior.
“Anything a transgender person does or dresses is automatically perceived as a highly scrutinized statement, something that the cis male majority doesn’t necessarily have to expect.” Evolutionary biologist and commentator Jess F. McLaughlin commented: University of Massachusetts Amherst. “Because of this, we always have to be very careful about how we express ourselves in public, which can be very tiring and very tedious to deal with every day. ”
“These expectations punish individuals who do not conform to a narrowly defined set of behaviors,” the researchers continued. “Regulating what is ‘acceptable’ gender-based behavior and expression in the workplace marginalizes not only transgender people, but also cis people who express gender nonconforming behaviors.”
“The appeal to professionalism has even greater implications for those at the intersection of marginalized identities, such as trans women of color, who are subject to additional racist pressures to perform into femininities.”
Finally, the study authors outline what cis researchers can do themselves to help their transgender colleagues.
“Individual actions should be taken to show respect without marginalizing transgender colleagues and students, to educate ourselves and others, and to use our privilege and influence to advocate for institutional and political change.” “This can be summarized in three key elements: taking advantage of
“It’s natural to be hesitant about making a mistake when trying to help, but the risk of not taking action due to fear of making a mistake is far greater than the risk of trying to make a positive change.” ,” added neuroscientist and commentator Evin. Mr. S. Dickinson of Yale University.
Ultimately, the burden of making these changes cannot fall solely on trans researchers. Furthermore, increased inclusivity benefits the entire scientific community.
“Without sustained action by cis colleagues, achieving inclusivity and equity becomes the de facto responsibility of already burdened and marginalized populations,” the researchers wrote. “We respect the bodily autonomy and intellectual freedom of cis and trans people alike as they challenge the essentialism of sex and gender. We support all those we serve. When we build institutions and systems, we redress scientific inequities and injustices.”
The research will be published in a journal cell.
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