Pride in Ento - celebrating LGBTQIA+ people in Entomology

Throughout Pride Month, the Harper Adams Ento Masters twitter account has been running a #PrideInEnto series.

The series profiled LGBTQIA+ people in Entomology – both here at Harper and right across the globe.

Here are some of the many entomologists who took part!

Kier:

“My Identity has always been a big part of my life but didn't influence wanting to be an entomologist, that's something I would follow no matter what.”

(2/3)

— Harper Adams Entomology (@EntoMasters) June 7, 2022

What advice would you give to the next generation of LGBTQIA+ entomologists?

“Always be yourself, the people worth your time will accept you for who you are (both a bug lover and LGBT+) so never change”

(3/3)

— Harper Adams Entomology (@EntoMasters) June 7, 2022

Perry:

“My background is in using DNA to untangle the insect Tree of Life. I’m currently working to catalogue invert biodiversity in arid “mini-oases” in South Australia.”

(2/4)

— Harper Adams Entomology (@EntoMasters) June 14, 2022

 

“I think [my identity] has made me even more passionate about defending under-appreciated animals like insects. There’s a beautiful diversity in the insect world, just as there is in the LGBTQIA+ community, that often goes unseen.”

(3/4)

— Harper Adams Entomology (@EntoMasters) June 14, 2022

What advice would you give to the next generation of LGBTQIA+ entomologists?

“Connect with one another. Before I became engaged in LGBTQIA+ initiatives in STEM I had no idea there were so many people in our community who were also entomologists!”

(4/4)

— Harper Adams Entomology (@EntoMasters) June 14, 2022

Jenna:

"As entomology is a long living area of study, full of tradition, it is vital that it is seen to be accessible to all people. I am very proud to be an entomologist and a part of the LGBTQIA+ community. I wish for everybody to see that and to feel that pride with me!"

(2/4)

— Harper Adams Entomology (@EntoMasters) June 21, 2022

What piece of advice would you give to the next generation of LGBTQIA+ entomologists? "I would give the same advice as I give to any LGBTQIA+ persons in every aspect of life, don’t “tone down”, don’t try to “blend” don’t put your authentic self aside to fit in...

(3/4)

— Harper Adams Entomology (@EntoMasters) June 21, 2022

Be a passionate entomologist AND the proud and authentic LGBTQIA+ person that you are at the same time. Don’t shrink down, let the entomology community, and the world, open up to you.”

(4/4)

— Harper Adams Entomology (@EntoMasters) June 21, 2022

Jessica:

Jessica was previously president of the @WorldDragonfly Association, and is currently president of @EntsocAmerica

@EntoPOC was also co-founded by Jessica, which aims to support entomologists of colour and their career

(2/3)

— Harper Adams Entomology (@EntoMasters) June 23, 2022

“My advice would be to not settle for anything less than colleagues who are your champions at work. You worked hard to become a scientist, and you belong! We all need to make space for others, and we should expect people to make space for us”

(3/3)

— Harper Adams Entomology (@EntoMasters) June 23, 2022

and Ben:

I’ll soon be starting a PhD at Newcastle University, UK, using eDNA to assess the impacts of different environmental land management schemes on ecological networks.

(2/4)

— Harper Adams Entomology (@EntoMasters) June 30, 2022

I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who featured, interacted and supported the #PrideInEnto series! Seeing people engage with #PrideMonth genuinely makes LGBTQIA+ people feel safer.

(3/4)

— Harper Adams Entomology (@EntoMasters) June 30, 2022

LGBTQIA+ people in entomology are present and proud - connect with many more through spaces such as @500QueerSci @PrideinSTEM

(4/4)

— Harper Adams Entomology (@EntoMasters) June 30, 2022

Thanks to everyone who took part in Pride in Ento - and do take the time to check through the full series yourself!