Plant life is queer life. Plant life resists classification, redefines sex and reimagines ways of being. Plant life takes root underground, in the darkness, and spreads its limbs towards the light. Plant life is unshakable resilience. Plant life is perpetual growth. Plant life is a gift. Not too long ago, when I was taking […]
Growing up as an LGBTQ+ person in the UK, my experience has come down to one thing: surrounding myself with the right people. While it’s no longer illegal, the undercurrent of intolerance towards LGBTQ+ people is still strong. What’s important is surrounding yourself with the right people. From my experiences, I have compiled a […]
Living in California and being surrounded by people who celebrate queerness has given me so much hope for the future. I fantasize about a world where young queer kids have queer role models in STEM, and dont have to face discrimination during their formative years. What magnificent scientists and engineers will these queer […]
Okay, so first I would like to start with the usual disclaimer that this is a blog post about my experiences. Everyone’s experiences may vary greatly even if they have a similar background or situation going on, but I can only really talk about my own personal experiences. Therefore, this is what I will […]
Image by Sarita Muñoz-Gómez (@biosarita1) I am very excited to introduce the LGBTQ+ Plant Scientist Pride Month Blog series for 2022! All the posts are from members of the plant science community who provide their unique perspectives. The posts ranging from personal memories and growth, to challenges faced by ECRs, ideas and recommendations for […]
Pride Month coincides with the middle of the field season for biologists sampling floral communities across many parts of the world. Field work often takes place in areas far from home and can require tolerating close quarters, strenuous labor, long hours, and adverse weather conditions. LGBTQ+ people face unique challenges navigating the unusual […]
The world is so complicated, and it is changing so fast. I seldom feel like I have my footing. I never know what the right thing to do is, and I never know how I should be thinking about things. I fixate on this as I walk into a familiar meadow in autumn. I […]