I know I lose followers every time I mention I’m bi on here but I do it because visibility is so important and it’s a part of me I really shouldn’t feel like I have to hide working in science 🏳️🌈
I recently told my parents so thought I’d make it twitter official by letting you all know that I’m bi
It’s taken me ages to feel comfortable saying it but I’m slowly starting to feel proud of who I am 🏳️🌈😊
💖💜💙
Been expecting it for a while tbh but got some comments about how pink hair and painted nails “aren’t very professional” for a scientist so guess I’ll be making an extra effort to try out lots of new colours this year 😇
Study chemistry! Take courses such as:
- How to draw the perfect hexagon
- The joys of cleaning glassware with acetone
- Mixing two white powders to make a new white powder
- How to fail at separating a mixture using column chromatography
Hate that I’m having to say this but a reminder that it really isn’t ok to mock me (or anyone else) for being worried about getting covid 😐 Yeah I’m double vaccinated and would likely be fine but I still don’t fancy getting it / long covid, or passing it on to someone!
It shouldn’t need saying but please don’t jump into my DMs suggesting I stop talking about my “personal life” on here
My life’s about more than just science and things like my hobbies and being bi are a part of me and aren’t aspects I should have to keep quiet about 👍
Aiming for authenticity here so wanted to say that I’ve been struggling lately. My partner recently said they don’t love me anymore and set up a relationship with someone else whilst we were together. Feeling pretty sad but trying my best and keeping busy. Love you all lots ❤️
During my PhD it often felt like my work only mattered if it led to publications
So a reminder that your data doesn’t define you & people contribute to science in lots of ways (advocacy, outreach, teaching) that aren’t always reflected in published work 👍
@AcademicChatter
When applying to PhDs I faced a lot of snobbery for looking at “lesser unis”
So a reminder that league tables aren’t everything when PhD-hunting! Really important to consider things like a supportive group + topic you enjoy + location that works for you 👍
@AcademicChatter
Unsurprisingly we’re getting comments like this on my tweet about hair/nail colour and being “professional”…
I won’t stop “banging on” about being bisexual because it’s part of who I am and I know that being visible will help others feel like science is for them 🏳️🌈
Found it tough being told I’m a disappointment because I left academia, disregarding some really hard decisions over the past year.
So a reminder that leaving academia doesn’t make you a failure and pursuing a role you enjoy + find fulfilling is totally valid 👍
@AcademicChatter
I know I talk a lot about being bi (and will always lose followers from the “stick to the science” crowd) but it’s really liberating to share more of myself here and hopefully show that it’s fine to be a scientist and visibly part of the LGBTQ+ community 😊
💖💜💙
My partner and I never baby talk to our kids. We give them freshly autoclaved LB and incubate overnight at 30°C with shaking 🦠
My son is 24 hr old and has already reached an optical density (590 nm) of 2.5. My daughter is 18 hr old and can be spread onto new LB-agar plates.
My wife and I never baby talk to our kids. We use full sentences and a wide vocabulary including complex words.
My son is 3 and can carry a full conversation. Adults at family gatherings are shocked at his social aptitude. My daughter isn’t even 2 and she uses 4-syllable words.
Pretty nervous to put down that I’m bisexual in the census but I think it’s really important to have it recorded and it’s another little step forward with being open about who I am 🏳️🌈
I’ve wanted to do it for ages so finally added 🏳️🌈 to my bio, I know it isn’t much but messages this past week have really reiterated how important visibility is to help show LGBTQ+ folks belong in STEM & sci-comm 😊
Recently shared that I declined an all male panel and here’s the reply I got
Still lots of other considerations and a long way to go, but it’s a small step forward and refreshing to get a response that wasn’t defensive. It’s not about me, it’s about making science for everyone
You can do better than this
@nature
, let’s not trivialise coming out when it can represent real anxiety, isolation & possibly horrible consequences for LGBTQ+ folks
REALLY EXCITING NEWS: I won a UEA Engagement Award!! 🥳🥳
It feels lovely to be recognised for the sci-comm I’ve done over the past few years and really owe it to everyone who’s helped me out along the way!
#EngageAwardUEA
Happy
#LGBTQSTEMDay
!! I’m Sam, I’m bi, I’ve got a chemistry PhD and I currently work in sci-comm. And it’s been amazing seeing the timeline filled with so many wonderful people and events today 🥰🏳️🌈
Feels weird to be saying it but I’m going on a date tonight! Like an actual person thinks I’m alright and wants to take me for dinner and a drink!! Just a nice little self esteem boost after a horrible few weeks 😊
So I gave a talk today and got to say “I’m bisexual and work in sci-comm” and I know it isn’t much but it makes me happy because until recently I honestly never thought I’d be ok talking more openly about things and feeling like it isn’t something I have to hide 😊🏳️🌈
I’VE ACCEPTED A JOB OFFER!! 🎉🎉
Excited to say I’ll be working as a project coordinator for
@NorwichSciFest
& getting to share the science love for another year! 😁❤️
One thing I wish more people in the LGBTQ+ community understood and accepted is that my bisexuality includes multiple genders and doesn’t exclude trans and non-binary people
No ❤️
Please, dear scientists, use Twitter for whatever you want. Yeah I’ll chat about science but definitely won’t stop the reading, gaming, gymnastics, gin and LGBTQ+ in STEM chat
Normalise having a work-life balance in academia, pursuing things you love outside the lab/office + not defining people by their data output 👍
@AcademicChatter
I found my PhD incredibly isolating but it must be so much tougher doing one now with everything going on!
Huge respect to all the awesome PhD researchers out there & really hope everyone is getting on ok 👍
@OpenAcademics
@AcademicChatter
Perhaps doesn’t sound like much but I can’t tell you how liberating it is to hold hands with a guy whilst walking around Norwich. To just have someone that makes me feel comfortable and brave enough to do this means so much right now ❤️
Good luck to everyone starting their PhD adventures soon! 🥳
If you’re a current/past PhD researcher, what advice do you have for someone going into their 1st year??
@OpenAcademics
@AcademicChatter
Being bi was something I felt like I had to hide for ages and ages so I hope you’re all ok with me talking about it loads now because I’ve got so much lost time to be making up for 😅😅
Really bugs me how often I have to justify my bisexuality, especially within the LGBTQ+ community. Like just because I have a bf or don’t act a certain way doesn’t mean I’m no longer bi and it isn’t something I have to “prove”, it’s just who I am 🏳️🌈
Leaving academia for sci-comm after a PhD doesn’t make you a failure and folks do so for many reasons. It doesn’t mean the PhD was a waste of time and it shouldn’t be viewed as choosing a “lesser” career path
Bit nervous to put it out there but feeling lots of affinity for he/they pronouns
Still exploring this space and identity but thinking about these things a lot lately and wanted to be open on here in case others are feeling the same ❤️
I really love that I can talk about being bi on here after so many years worrying about being accepted! Just nice to feel part of the LGBTQ+ in STEM community and have a space where I can be open and honest with everyone 😊🏳️🌈
Quick life update: 3 months since breakup and 3 weeks in the new flat and think I’m doing alright. Still find it tough living alone sometimes but overall going in the right direction, pretty proud of myself for properly moving away from bad people and situations 😊
Felt quite emotional marching at my first Norwich Pride yesterday. Only came out two years ago and have really struggled to accept who I am so to be carrying a bi flag and holding my bf’s hand walking through the city just makes me really really happy 😊🏳️🌈
I HAVE SOMEWHERE TO MOVE TO!!
🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳
Honestly can’t tell you all how nice it’ll be to get away from this place and fully manage my own covid risk and just have my own space to enjoy being single 😊
2020 was the year I came out to my parents and just felt a whole lot more comfortable saying I’m bi so thanks to everyone who’s offered their support and I’m really hoping it’s something I can build upon in 2021 😊🏳️🌈
To celebrate 4000 followers I’d love to amplify others in STEM +
#SciComm
If you have fewer than 3000 followers then reply with your intro (e.g. photos, work, hobbies) and I’ll RT 🥳
Other RTs appreciated!
@OpenAcademics
#AcademicChatter
Happy
#NationalComingOutDay
! 2 years since telling my parents I’m bi with 3-4 years before that telling close friends
So grateful to be where I am now, sharing my whole self with you wonderful people and showing it’s ok to talk about these things whilst working in science ❤️🏳️🌈
This week’s been incredibly tough but I’m still here. Made it through my LGBTQ+ in STEM talk and just hoping for a really relaxed weekend to start feeling more like myself again ❤️
Moved over to the new place today! Pretty worried about feeling lonely to be honest but I know the space will be good for me when I’m settled
Also thanks for sticking with me through all this horrible breakup stuff, I’ll forever appreciate the support of amazing Twitter pals ❤️
Happy
#LGBTQSTEMDay
! 🏳️🌈
I’m Sam and I work in science events / comms. Previously did a chemistry PhD studying electric bacteria.
Really appreciate the support on here after coming out a few months ago & excited to get to know you all more ❤️
@LGBTSTEM
#BiInSci
Unsurprisingly going through a breakup in a pandemic reeeeeeally sucks. And one of the worst parts is having my ex see his new partner before I’ve had the chance to move out / get vaccinated, just so little respect for my health and how safe I feel about covid things 🙃
It’s been a while so I’d love to start a boost thread for LGBTQ+ people in science and sci-comm! 🏳️🌈
If that’s you, reply with an intro (work, hobbies, pics) so everyone can say Hi and follow / RT all the amazing people!
RTs appreciated 🥰
@OpenAcademics
@TheSTEMvillage
If you’re looking to include and amplify LGBTQ+ people at your STEM events I think it’s really important to provide a decent space where they can talk about their work, research, interests, ambitions etc. rather than only ever calling upon them to discuss “LGBTQ+ issues”
I think it’s useful to share bad news as well as good news on here so:
I didn’t get a postdoc I applied for and a teaching lab job I should have started this week has now been pushed back due to the new lockdown
Staying positive though and I’m sure I’ll feel more settled soon!
Happy
#BiVisibilityDay
everyone!
Here with your regular reminder that being bi isn’t just a phase, I’m not confused, and having a bf doesn’t change anything. It’s who I am and isn’t something I should have to hide 💖💜💙
First time joining in with this so Happy
#BiVisibilityDay
💖💜💙
Huge shout out to the
#BiInSci
folks I get to chat to on here who always inspire me to be more open and make me feel like I belong in science 😊
Had some wonderful chats since posting about it so just leaning into this a bit. Still working stuff out in my head but it’s feeling alright for now tbh
Hi Twitter! Does anyone have experience of creating a personal website? Any recommendations for what to use or an example to show?
I’m thinking it’d be a really nice way to log all of my PhD and sci-comm work in one place 😊
Seen this come up recently so saying again that I don’t think the A in LGBTQIA+ should stand for Ally (it’s Asexual, Aromantic, Agender)
Allies are important for the community but shouldn’t be centred in queer spaces, especially when it’s used to erase other identities 🏳️🌈
Can’t believe it’s been a whole year since I met this wonderful guy! Had the worst time last summer but feeling much more like myself again with all the support. Haven’t felt this loved in a really long time 🥰
I know it’s not the end of the world but I always try to correct someone when they refer to me as gay instead of bi because I think it’s really important to shift away from the standard “gay or straight” mindset and normalise not falling within typical binary options
To mark 8000 followers I’d love to help amplify other LGBTQ+ people in STEM and sci-comm again!! 🏳️🌈
If that’s you then reply with an intro (photos, hobbies, work), support and follow each other & I’ll RT when I can
@OpenAcademics
@PrideinSTEM
@TheSTEMvillage
I can’t tell you how nice it is being able to say I’m bi on here and sharing more of myself with all of you. Feels like such a huge weight off my mind and there are so many more things I feel I can join in with now 😊🏳️🌈
As promised, to celebrate 5000 followers I’d love to amplify LGBTQ+ folks in STEM so everyone can find new people to connect with!! 🏳️🌈
If that’s you then reply with an intro (work, life, hobbies) & I’ll RT 😊
@OpenAcademics
@TheSTEMvillage
@PrideinSTEM
Thought I’d finally take the plunge and make an alt but going for twitter circles instead 🟢 Let me know if you fancy joining, it’ll be the usual stuff there
Not sure what it is but really feeling myself this week. Guess I’m just turning a bit of a corner with this whole being single and living on my own thing 🥰