Taking collective action on LGBTQ+ inclusion: The Proud Science Alliance

Neil Reavey (Associate Director of Research Assurance at EDIS member organisation AstraZeneca & Co-Chair of the Proud Science Alliance) reflects on a summer of Pride celebrations which marked the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots in New York City. Almost 3 months on from their organisations official launch on LGBT STEM Day, Neil Reavey reflects on the meaning of Pride and why the PSA is determined to switch things up. He explores the perception of “pinkwashing” and highlights the importance organisations taking collective action on LGBTQ+ inclusion across life science and healthcare.

“This is a special year for Pride festivities around the world as is marks the 50-year anniversary of the Stonewall Inn uprising in New York, which was a major catalyst for the global Pride movement. Looking back to 1970, when the first pride march took place in New York, it was an act of tremendous courage, not the unashamedly celebratory event we know today. It was most definitely a protest for equality and an end to homophobia, biphobia and transphobia, but at the same time a platform to recognise LGBTQ+ culture and share the value we add to the world as humans with rights. Pride is a loud, defiant and vibrant display to the world where we proclaim that we no longer feel shame for being ourselves. We are proud of our difference and we will own our identities and live our lives freely.

Fifty years on, and it could be argued that Pride is much more celebration than protest. However, there is a growing feeling of discontent around the commercialisation of Pride, with many believing it at risk of losing sight of its roots. These views surface valid concerns about big brands who are eager to show their symbolic support of Pride month by erecting rainbow flags or creating rainbow themed product lines: generating revenue from the LGBTQ+ community and their allies without going further to support the needs of the LGBTQ+ community. Ask yourself the question, does this support actually have an impact on LGBTQ+ issues or is it just branding? Does any of the money from these products find its way to LGBTQ+ causes? This ever-increasing practice is often referred to as Pinkwashing. Whilst laws have changed, and elements of equality have been achieved in some regions of the world, there are still deep, cultural and legal divisions in society that impact the ability of LGBTQ+ people to feel safe to be themselves. So, whilst the celebration of culture remains a big draw for Pride, it is important that it does not lose its focus on pushing the boundaries and driving greater inclusion in society.

The Proud Science Alliance is one such organisation which aims to do just that. It connects multiple LGBTQ+ employee networks from across life science and healthcare who work together in the spirit of Pride. Membership is currently made up of LGBTQ+ leaders from GSK, AstraZeneca, Lilly, Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer and Novartis. Whilst the current membership is made up of pharmaceutical companies, it is important to note that any organisation working directly in life science and healthcare can join.

When we say the Spirit of Pride we truly mean it. On 6th July over 450 friends and colleagues marched at Pride in London collectively under the Proud Science Alliance flag. Their message was clear: LGBTQ+ people are out and open in science and healthcare, if you want a career in STEM your identity is not a barrier, and finally, there is more work for us to do!

The PSA’s work is very much driven from the perspective of the employee, which means that they can be honest about what is working well and what more our organisations could be doing to improve. All members are supported by their respective leaders which demonstrates a clear signal that they are listening and willing to act where necessary.

The Proud Science Alliance is dispelling the notion that organisations focus on Pride as a signal of their inclusion, as a means of making revenue. Instead, it is focused on moving organisations towards collective action on inclusion across an entire sector, because they understand that LGBTQ+ people are facing barriers in their careers and that these can only be eliminated if we work together.”

You can keep up to date with the Proud Science Alliance by following them on twitter and a full list of their members can be found on their website.