FAQ
Q: Who and what is NOGLSTP?
A: The National Organization of Gay and Lesbian Scientists and Technical Professionals, NOGLSTP, is a membership-based professional society of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people — and their allies — employed or interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields. NOGLSTP educates people on LGBT issues in science and the technical workplace, and fosters mentoring and networking among its members. For a closer look at who we are, visit our Out and About Photoarchives section. NOGLSTP was originally an organization called National Organization of Lesbian and Gay Scientists (NOLGS), born in January 1980 from a workshop at an American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) meeting to address issues of homophobia in the scientific workplace. For a brief NOGLSTP history, follow this link.
Q: Are bisexual and transgender people welcome as NOGLSTP members?
A: Although the words bisexual and transgender are not in our name, NOGLSTP welcomes people of all sexual orientations and gender identities — gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and yes, even heterosexual.
Q: Why don’t you change your organization name to overtly include bisexual and transgender people?
A: The existing name is pretty long as it is, coined to be inclusive of technology, engineering, and healthcare professionals in addition to traditional scientists. Can you imagine adding BTIQ to it and getting it to fit on letterhead? In addition, we have put a lot of effort into promoting our existing name since 1983. To change the name now could be confusing to people and result in a loss of momentum. Finally, because our organization is incorporated, it would not be a casual matter — financially or documentation-wise — to make a name change.
Q: N. O. G. L. S. T. P….: How do I say it?
A: Those of us who run the show call the organization “nah’-goal-step”.
Q: Do I qualify to become a NOGLSTP member?
A: If you support the goals of NOGLSTP, you are welcome to join the organization. Although most of our members are queer technical professionals and science educators, we welcome all allies, regardless of profession, sexual orientation, or gender identity. For your convenience, you may join on-line.
Q: I am a student, studying {science, engineering, pre-med/nursing/vet}. Do I qualify for membership?
A: Not only do you qualify for membership, we have a special discounted dues category for students. In addition, all NOGLSTP student members are eligible to enroll in MentorNet’s One on One Mentoring Program, regardless of whether your school is a MentorNet participant. Follow this link for more information about the NOGLSTP Mentoring Project. For your convenience, you may join NOGLSTP on-line.
Q: What are the benefits of NOGLSTP membership?
- A:
- subscription to our quarterly newsletter, NOGLSTP Bulletin
- access to and permission to reproduce/distribute NOGLSTP copyrighted materials
- networking opportunities with other NOGLSTP members via our membership roster and discussion e-list
- mentoring and protoge opportunities via our NOGLSTP Mentoring Project
- organizational and (modest) financial support for local NOGLSTP activities you organize
- an open invitation to attend any reception or meet and greet we sponsor in your locale
- an opportunity to participate in NOGLSTP governance, leadership, and infrastructure
Q: I joined the NOGLSTP e-list. Doesn’t that make me a NOGLSTP member?
A: As a service to our community, the e-list is open to both members and registered non-members. Joining the e-list makes you part of the NOGLSTP community, but you are not a NOGLSTP member unless you pay dues annually. The e-list presents an email discussion forum for its subscribers.
Q: How can I get on the NOGLSTP e-list?
A: If you have an email address, you can get on the NOGLSTP electronic distribution list. But first you have to sign up for a free trial newsletter in our member services section. The act of signing up for the trial newsletter allows you access to a registered users area, which has a link to the e-list subscription area.
Q: Does NOGLSTP have a newsletter?
A: Yes, there is a quarterly newsletter available to NOGLSTP members. It is sent by standard postal mail to members, prospective members and some publications and organizations. The newsletter discusses relevant information to the LGBT and scientific communities, as well as, NOGLSTP, caucus, regional and project news.
Q: Is the newsletter available from the electronic distribution list?
A: As the newsletter is a benefit for NOGLSTP members and prospective members, current issues are not available electronically. However, back-issues of the NOGLSTP Bulletin are available for your enjoyment. If you are thinking about joining NOGLSTP, sign up for a trial newsletter and we will send you the upcoming issue free. Hopefully, it will help to convince you to become a member.
Q: Where do membership dues go?
A: Along with producing and distributing the newsletter, dues go to plan and support the many educational projects of interest to NOGLSTP members. Some of the pamphlets developed to date cover issues such as the biology of homosexuality; lesbian, bisexual and gay scientists of historical interest; and a survey of attitudes during security clearance interviews. Check our Publications Section for pamphlets available on-line.
Q: Anything besides pamphlets?
A: NOGLSTP has organized many scientific symposia and poster sessions for presentation at the Annual AAAS meetings. Each of these symposia involved educating the scientific community about GLBT issues. Some recent symposia have been:
- 1994— “Social, Ethical, and Scientific Perspectives of Biological Research on Sexual Orientation,” examining the on-going debate of “nature vs. nurture” regarding sexual behavior, and advocating sound policies regarding genetic privacy and the use of genetic studies of medically irrelevant traits
- 1997—“Assessing Health Care Needs of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered Communities,” addressing homophobia as a health-risk factor, and the health-care needs of older lesbians, adolescents, and gender-variant people
- 2002—”Scientific & Ethical Perspectives on the Risks of HIV/AIDS Therapeutics”, discussing the possible genotoxic effects of HIV combination therapies in the context of informed reproductive choices
- 2005 — “Defining Male and Female: Biology and the Law”, discussing the genetics of gender and intersex, the complications of newborn sex-assignment surgeries, and how the laws defining male and female marginalize those who don’t fit the definitions
- 2007 — “Electronic Mentoring Programs: Benefits to Minority Communities in Science and Technology”, discussing mentoring programs that serve the specific needs of the sexual orientation and gender identity communities, women, and under-represented minorities in science, engineering, and high-technology academic and industrial settings.
For a chronology of symposia and poster sessions, visit our Past Meetings page.
Other projects that involve your dues money — as well as donations — include the following:
- The NOGLSTP Mentoring Program, a collaboration between NOGLSTP, MentorNet, industry GLBTA employee resource groups, and academia to mentor undergraduate and recent graduate GLBT scientists and engineers.
- Development of a traveling exhibit of Queer Scientists of Historical and Contemporary Note for display at pride events throughout the nation.
- Sponsor a glbt reception/mixer at the annual meetings of the professional societies of our majority professions: chemistry, engineering, and biology. So far, we do sponsor a reception for the chemists at the American Chemical Society national meeting each fall, and have been sponsoring a NOGLSTP reception at the AAAS Annual Meetings since 1994. In 2005, we started sponsoring a LGBT Meet and Greet at the annual meeting of the Society for Women in Engineering, as well as the Society for Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science.
- Continue to bring visibility and honor to GLBT scientists, engineers, and educators, as well as the institutions who support us, with our annual recognition awards.
- Fund a NOGLSTP representative to attend E-Week’s Diversity Council meetings, of which NOGLSTP is a founding member.
Q: You manage to do all that on dues from members?
A: Frankly, we need more money than just your dues. We also count on the generosity of corporate supporters and thoughtful donations from our members to fund our projects. To learn more about how you can make a donation to NOGLSTP go to our Donations Section.
Q: Where can I get more information about NOGLSTP?
A: Check out the rest of this website, or contact the NOGLSTP Office.