$\mathrm{LGBT}+$ physicists: Harassment, persistence, and uneven support

Diversity and inclusion in the field of physics has been an important area of research in the last two decades. However, such work has scarcely looked at the concerns and barriers faced by $\mathrm{LGBT}+$ physicists, despite numerous indications they face discrimination in wider society. This article presents the first study looking at the climate experiences and persistence of LGBT physicists through an online survey ($N=324$) focused on intragroup differences within the $\mathrm{LGBT}+$ community. The results indicated that 36% of all respondents reported considering leaving their institution or workplace with 22% reporting that they experienced exclusionary behavior in the last year (i.e., being shunned, ignored, or harassed). However, this number varied by gender with transgender participants (49%) experiencing the most exclusionary behavior. Overall, respondents who could be out about being $\mathrm{LGBT}+$ were more comfortable at their institutions and workplaces. The results point to the increasing challenges of $\mathrm{LGBT}+$ physicists who are also transgender or persons of color, indicating the need for further research on this topic.

Figure 1

Demographic information of survey participants.

Figure 2

Participant outness in different social contexts.

Figure 3

Participant perceptions of overall climate. (a) Comfort in different institutional contexts. (b) Whether participants had considered leaving. (c) Experience and observation of exclusionary behavior. (d) Perceptions of institutional policies.

Figure 4

Climate responses by participant gender. (a) Perceptions of comfort in different institutional contexts. (b) Experience or observation of exclusionary behavior.

Figure 5

Climate responses by trans status. (a) Comfort level in different institutional contexts. (b) Experience and observation of exclusionary behavior. (c) Perceptions of institutional policies. (d) Responses to trans-specific climate questions.

Figure 6

Survey data disaggregated into white participants and Participants of Color.

Figure 7

Relationship between participant comfort level and their degree of outness in different institutional contexts.