Introduction
Science, technology, engineering and maths – often shortened to STEM – are fields that shape our world. From artificial intelligence to medical breakthroughs, STEM influences every part of modern life. Yet, for too long, the contributions of LGBTQ+ individuals have been overlooked or erased.
LGBTQ+ representation in STEM matters. It empowers future innovators, challenges stereotypes, and builds a more inclusive world. In this article, we celebrate five ground-breaking LGBTQ+ figures in STEM who prove that diversity fuels discovery.
Alan Turing: Codebreaker, Mathematician and Father of Modern Computing
Alan Turing was a British mathematician, logician and pioneer of computer science. During World War II, he led efforts at Bletchley Park to break the German Enigma code — a feat that helped end the war and saved millions of lives.
Turing’s theoretical work laid the foundation for the modern computer. The concept of a “Turing machine” remains central to computing theory today. Despite his immense contributions, Turing was persecuted for being gay. He was convicted in 1952 and subjected to chemical castration. He died under tragic circumstances in 1954.
Turing received a posthumous pardon in 2013 and now appears on the UK £50 banknote, symbolising his enduring legacy in LGBTQ+ history and computing innovation.
Lynn Conway: Revolutionary Computer Scientist and Transgender Trailblazer
Lynn’s work allowed smaller teams, even students, to design and build chips. This opened the door for new ideas and rapid growth in computing. The VLSI design revolution helped launch Silicon Valley as a global tech hub. It also laid the groundwork for the small, powerful chips we now find in mobile phones, tablets, laptops, and smartwatches.
Thanks to Lynn’s innovations, devices that were once large and costly could be made smaller, cheaper, and more powerful. Today, mobile devices connect billions of people and drive much of our daily life — from sending messages to navigating maps.
Lynn Conway is also a transgender woman and a strong advocate for transgender rights. Her life and career have inspired many, showing that innovation and courage can change the world in more ways than one.
Megan Smith: Tech Trailblazer and Champion for Inclusion
Megan Smith is a leading innovator and advocate in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM). She made history as the third Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of the United States, serving under President Barack Obama. In that role, she led initiatives to modernise government technology and expand diversity in the tech sector.
Before her time in government, Smith was a senior executive at Google, where she led Google Earth and Google Maps teams. A trained engineer from MIT, she has consistently combined technical expertise with social impact.
As an openly lesbian leader in tech, Smith co-founded Lesbians Who Tech, a global network for LGBTQ+ women and non-binary individuals in STEM. Her work champions equity, innovation, and collaboration — making space for underrepresented voices in science and technology.
Through both policy and practice, Megan Smith has shown that inclusion is not only ethical, but essential to progress in STEM.
Martine Rothblatt: Trailblazing Trans Tech Visionary and Biotech Leader
Martine Rothblatt is a scientist, lawyer, and entrepreneur who has helped shape both technology and medicine. In the 1990s, she founded SiriusXM, a company that changed how people listen to music, news, and radio by using satellites. This work helped pave the way for today’s mobile apps and streaming services, which many of us now use on our phones. She helped show that you could deliver audio across large areas without wires, something that’s now common with mobile devices.
Martine also worked on laws that support global satellite systems and the early internet. Her ideas helped build the base for how we connect to mobile networks today. She showed how technology can bring people closer together, no matter where they are.
Later, Martine moved into healthcare and founded United Therapeutics, a biotech company that develops life-saving medicines. She started the company after her daughter was diagnosed with a rare and serious lung disease. Doctors said there was no cure — but Martine refused to give up. She used her knowledge and drive to help create a new treatment that gave her daughter, and many others, a chance to live.
Beyond her scientific work, she is a vocal advocate for trans rights and ethical technology. As one of the world’s most prominent trans business leaders, Rothblatt continues to inspire with her vision, courage, and commitment to inclusion in STEM.
Ben Barres: Changing How We See the Brain — and Who Belongs in Science
Ben Barres was a groundbreaking scientist and a powerful advocate for equality in science. He was a neurobiologist who studied glial cells — support cells in the brain once thought to be unimportant. His research helped reshape how we understand brain development and disease.
What made Ben stand out wasn’t just his science. He was also one of the first openly transgender scientists in a senior academic role. He transitioned in the mid-1990s, while working as a professor at Stanford University.
After transitioning, Ben noticed that his work was taken more seriously than before. This personal experience helped him speak out about the bias that women and trans people often face in science. He used his experience to advocate for fairness, inclusion, and equal opportunities in STEM.
Ben was also a dedicated mentor. He supported young scientists, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds. He believed that science should welcome everyone — no matter their gender, identity, or background.
Ben Barres passed away in 2017, but his legacy lives on. He showed that being true to yourself and standing up for others can lead to change — in both science and society.
Jon “Maddog” Hall: Championing Open-Source and LGBTQ+ Visibility in Tech
Jon “Maddog” Hall is a respected computer programmer and advocate for open-source software. He has played a key role in promoting Linux, a free and open operating system used worldwide.
In the 1990s, while working at Digital Equipment Corporation, Hall collaborated with Linus Torvalds, the creator of Linux, to help make the system work on more types of computers.
Beyond his technical contributions, Hall is known for his support of the open-source community. He served as the Executive Director of Linux International, a non-profit organisation that promotes Linux and open-source software.
In 2012, Hall publicly came out as gay in an article for Linux Magazine, honouring the 100th birthday of his hero, Alan Turing. He wrote about the importance of visibility, stating that when LGBTQ+ individuals are open about their identities, it challenges misconceptions and fosters acceptance.
Hall’s openness has inspired many in the tech community, showing that one’s personal identity and professional expertise can coexist proudly. His efforts have helped create a more inclusive environment in STEM fields.
Sally Ride: Reaching Space and Breaking Barriers
In 1983, Sally Ride made history as the first American woman to travel into space. Aboard the space shuttle Challenger, she operated the robotic arm to deploy satellites — a major technical achievement at the time.
Before joining NASA, Sally earned a PhD in physics and broke barriers in a field where women were often excluded. After her missions, she stayed involved in science and education, working to inspire young people — especially girls — to explore STEM careers.
She co-founded Sally Ride Science, which created fun, educational materials to show that anyone could be a scientist.
Sally kept her personal life private. When she died in 2012, the world learned she had spent 27 years with her partner, Tam O’Shaughnessy. This made her the first known LGBTQ+ astronaut.
Though she never spoke publicly about her sexuality, her legacy is powerful. It reminds us that LGBTQ+ people have always shaped science — even when they weren’t always seen.
Sally Ride showed that who you are doesn’t limit what you can do. Her story continues to inspire space lovers, students, and advocates for equality around the world.
Conclusion
LGBTQ+ individuals have always been part of the science and technology landscape — even when they weren’t recognised. The lives and legacies of Alan Turing, Lynn Conway, Angela Clayton, Audrey Tang, and Kate Stone highlight how visibility, courage, and excellence change the world.
Celebrating LGBTQ+ representation in STEM sends a powerful message: everyone belongs in science. By acknowledging their contributions, we inspire new generations to innovate, create, and thrive — regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation.
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