A Twitter hashtag is raising awareness of bisexual people working in science.
The #BiInSci hashtag was started this week by bisexual virologist Isabel Ott, 21.
Posting pictures of herself in the workplace, she wrote: “I’m starting the hashtag #BiInSci to increase visibility for bisexual members of the #LGBTQinSTEM community. Feel free to join in!”
Hi everyone! I’m a bisexual virologist who studies mosquito-borne virus evolution. I’m starting the hashtag #BiInSci to increase visibility for bisexual members of the #LGBTQinSTEM community. Feel free to join in! pic.twitter.com/IvuJpJxweg
— Isabel Ott (@DiagnosticChick) April 17, 2018
“I started #BiInSci because I wanted the bi community to have the chance to celebrate our identity,” Isabel told the Press Association.
“So often… bisexuality can feel isolating – we’re seen as not really belonging to the straight or gay communities, and we constantly have to defend the fundamental validity of our existence.”
Isabel praises the bisexual activists who have gone before her, saying “they never really get the chance to celebrate how much their efforts have done to normalise bisexuality and make it safe enough for me, a 21-year-old whose social media presence will be under scrutiny for graduate school and job applications, to feel comfortable coming out online.”
Twitter users took to the hashtag, sharing photos of themselves at work and tweeting messages of support.
Anyone else singing the #BiInSci to the song of Bill Nye the Science Guy? It can’t just be me. pic.twitter.com/25uPLJaslM
— Rachel HeyGirlField (@Heygirlfield) April 19, 2018
Sorry did someone say #BiInSci pic.twitter.com/8SwHEgPhb9
— Hannah A. Brazeau (@moietymouse) April 18, 2018
Macroecologist Kevin asked people to remember what the “B” in LGBTQ+ stands for.
The amazing .@DiagnosticChick started #BiInSci to showcase #bi people in #LGBTQinSTEM. I’m a bi macroecologist & conservation biologist & I study #extinction. Being #bisexual often means not feeling part of any community, but let’s not forget what the “B” in LGBTQ+ means. pic.twitter.com/v6EyLzqk6E
— Kevin R. Burgio (@KRBurgio) April 18, 2018
Andrea is not only a physicist, she also works in mental health advocacy. She shared her delight at the hashtag, later adding a photo showing her and her work.
#BiInSci is happening and I also just happen to be wearing my Bisexual Space Dress for my poster presentation today. Now I definitely need a photo (too bad I’m not presenting my poster from 2016 oSTEM where I had bisexual background colors)
— Andrea Welsh (@theoreticalwzrd) April 18, 2018
At Soft Matter Forefronts, #BiInSci presenting preliminary work on collective motion of brine shrimp aggregation! #LGBTQinSTEM #LGBTscience #Physics #softmatter #patternformation #dynamicalsystems pic.twitter.com/qH01JH90Gh
— Andrea Welsh (@theoreticalwzrd) April 18, 2018
Graduate students, PhD students, a TV presenter and many other scientists joined in.
I’m a science tv presenter. #BiInSci til I die. Even though I’ll probably be coming out repeatedly til I die too haha. Keep up the good work everyone! An inclusive science community is the best science community! pic.twitter.com/xreOfamtJH
— Lee Constable (@Constababble) April 18, 2018
Biochemistry grad student studying post-translational modifications and I’m very #BiInSci ???#LGBTQinSTEM pic.twitter.com/W68eNHBm1W
— UndocQScientist? (@undocusci) April 18, 2018
Very here for @DiagnosticChick and #BiInSci. I’m a bioengineer focused on orthopedic biomechanics and very appreciative of efforts to highlight #LGBTQinSTEM visibility. pic.twitter.com/CX3rgu62BJ
— Katherine Spack (@katherinespack) April 17, 2018
Hey y’all! There’s this #BiInSci thing happening on Twitter so here I am! I’m a PhD student studying the genetic basis of exploration in fruit flies! #LGBTQinSTEM pic.twitter.com/rgmlI2BB0b
— Zeke Elkins (@zeke_elkins) April 18, 2018
It is hoped the hashtag will help to dispel the stereotype that science is predominantly for heterosexual white males, and encourage more people from diverse backgrounds to pursue scientific careers.
“Here’s the thing – ‘science’ isn’t some abstract, sterile concept,” says Isabel.
“It’s done by complex, individual people; we exist outside of the work that we do, and our well-being affects our work.
“I’m thrilled that this hashtag has been so well-received – I love scrolling through and seeing all the wonderful bi scientists talking about the work they do and making connections with one another.”
