---
title: "LGBTQ people in science"
chunk: 1/5
source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBTQ_people_in_science"
category: "reference"
tags: "science, encyclopedia"
date_saved: "2026-05-05T04:03:44.393262+00:00"
instance: "kb-cron"
---

LGBT people in science are students, professionals, hobbyists, and anyone else who is LGBT and interested in science. The sexuality of many people in science remains up for debate by historians, largely due to the unaccepting cultures in which many of these people lived. For the most part, we do not know for certain how people in the past would have labelled their sexuality or gender because many individuals lived radically different private lives outside of the accepted gender and sexual norms of their time. One such example of a historical person in science that was arguably part of the LGBT community is Leonardo da Vinci, whose sexuality was later the subject of Sigmund Freud's study.
In modern times, LGBTQ+ individuals in science still navigate a landscape shaped by discrimination, social exclusion, and professional devaluation, but increased visibility and advocacy have led to growing efforts for inclusion and equity. Numerous organizations now work to support LGBTQ+ scientists, while companies and institutions are implementing policies aimed at fostering diversity and reducing barriers for underrepresented groups in STEM. Issues such as the "glass closet," where individuals feel pressure to conceal their identities for career advancement, continue to highlight the ongoing need for systemic change in the scientific community.