As we celebrate Pride Month, let’s explore how science intersects with diversity, inclusion and the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Whether you’re a budding biologist, a physics enthusiast, or an aspiring chemist or geologist, this guide provides valuable resources available on campus, in the Waterloo Region and beyond!
Resources on campus:
FemPhys
FemPhys aims to facilitate education, sharing of experiences, and friendships for women, nonbinary individuals, and minoritized people in physics and related fields at the University of Waterloo.
The club hosts events, such as weekly Tea & Talk sessions, lectures, and discussions to educate and converse about relevant issues, and Mentoring Night to connect club members with academics and working professionals.
oSTEM Waterloo
oSTEM @ UWaterloo is an official WUSA club and oSTEM chapter that aims to create space for 2SLGBTQIA+ students to thrive professionally, academically, and socially, whether you are studying in a STEM field, or simply have an interest and want to be part of a community. This includes both in-person and virtual events that can help you build your network, find academic mentorship, and hang out with like-minded UW students.
QTA-UW
QTA-UW is a volunteer-based alliance of University of Waterloo (UW) undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, staff, and faculty who have 2SLGBTQIA+ lived experience and are interested in building community across the University of Waterloo and advocating for the interests of the UW 2SLGBTQIA+ community. QTA belongs to all 2SLGBTQIA+ people and groups at UW, and it seeks to be a uniting voice and organizing body across the UW community.
Glow Centre
The Glow Centre is the oldest continually running university-based 2SLGBTQ+ group in Canada dedicated to promoting healthy attitudes toward all sexual orientations and gender identities on campus at the University of Waterloo. Organized by Coordinators and run by dedicated executives and volunteers who provide a wide variety of peer support, social events, advocacy work, and resources.
Resources in the Waterloo Region:
OK2BME.ca
OK2BME offers supportive services for 2SLGBTQIA+ children, teens, adults, and their families in the Waterloo Region. The OK2BME program consists of three unique areas including confidential counselling services (in person or online), OK2BME Youth Groups for individuals 12-18, as well as public education, consulting, and training around 2SLGBTQIA+ issues.
Spectrum – Waterloo Region’s Community Space
Spectrum is an organization that serves, affirms, and supports the well-being of 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals in the Waterloo Region and the broader community through peer support, community partnerships, education and training, resources, and events.
Spectrum offers more than 40 different groups and activities each month, including transgender peer support groups, games nights, and Rainbow Newcomers Connect.
Science-specific resources:
500 Queer Scientists
500 Queer Scientists is a visibility campaign for 2SLGBTQ+ people and their allies working in STEM and STEM-supporting jobs. The campaign is fuelled by self-submitted bios and stories that raise awareness of queer scientists. Have a story to tell? Fill out the form on their website!
RCIScience
The Royal Canadian Institute for Science has profiled seven amazing 2SLGBTQIA+ scientists from Canada throughout history. Check out the list of profiles to be inspired!