According to a University of Michigan survey of US STEM staff (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), who define themselves as LGTBIQ suffer a greater differentiation in all aspects considered: job opportunities and access to resources, personal evolution, social recognition, health and well-being, and desire to continue in the career.
The results of the survey have been published in the journal Science Advances. The article details that 25000 workers responded to the survey, of which about one thousand belong to the LGTBIQ group. Well, responses have proven more discriminatory than the rest in all disciplines and professional levels of STEM.
For example, they have fewer opportunities for job development and feel socially more marginalized (32% recognize social exclusion and 23% the rest). Sexual harassment is also higher (20% vs 14%).
This situation has negative effects on the health and well-being of workers in the LGTBIQ group: 78% stress (61% among others), 59% mild discomfort such as headache or stomach pain (43% in the rest) and 37% insomnia (22%).
As a result, in the last year 22% of cases have been considered to leave work (15% in the rest). According to researchers, it is essential that scientific and technological centers, scientific societies and financial agents take measures to ensure parity and inclusion of people outside heterosis. They also remember that diversity is beneficial and that its positive effects are evident not only in the field of STEM but also in society as a whole.