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THREAD: re, being LGBTQIA+ in field conservation.
Tricky enough figuring out identity in the USA but working most of my adult life so far in different countries gave it extra layers. I never received training in navigating these complexities - so it's def been an adventure.
Tricky enough figuring out identity in the USA but working most of my adult life so far in different countries gave it extra layers. I never received training in navigating these complexities - so it's def been an adventure.
Most people who meet me in the States can tell that I am queer. Proudly, happily, joyfully queer. I am not cis, I am #BiinSci, I am a scientific experiment set to the Wizard of Oz soundtrack, but I didn't start out that way. In my early-mid twenties, I def had to process.
A lot.
Not only does working in other cultures impact how you see gender (as many other places, life is very gendered), but as someone who is not cis, who is not straight, it's been fascinating figuring out how and where I fit (and often scary).
Not only does working in other cultures impact how you see gender (as many other places, life is very gendered), but as someone who is not cis, who is not straight, it's been fascinating figuring out how and where I fit (and often scary).
Sometimes, it helps that I am a foreigner from the Diaspora working in Southern Africa, because rules are different. I'm not always meant to stick to gendered rules of that society, or I'm given leeway that a female-presenting person wouldn't normally have. I'm already 'other'.
For instance, when I was in the field in north-west Namibia, I was definitely expected to pluck and cook a chicken (which my male colleague was not), but I also didn't eat from the communal male or female plate - I got my little to-go box of gender ambiguity.
Because of being 'othered', I got to stay up with the men to talk science, and partake in some of the male rituals, that I absolutely would not have had access to if I was from that particular society.
Being an outsider actually in many ways felt MORE comfortable than my experiences in the States, because I wasn't expected to fit. I wasn't treated as unattractive for not fitting into a box, or as strange, because I was already outside the norm. Which was really fascinating.
I could move within ambiguous spaces, occupying a blend of gender roles or none of the above. This felt freeing, in a strange way, not being rigidly defined.
But I am always aware that when I travel, that I have to, in many ways, go 'stealth', out of an abundance of caution.
But I am always aware that when I travel, that I have to, in many ways, go 'stealth', out of an abundance of caution.
I know that even within the United States, or in rural Brazil where some of my family is from, in many ways, who I am is seen as a threat. I know that being open is not safe. I trade gender dysphoria for the ability to work safely and well. It wears on me, but it's needed.
Some of my good friends abroad know the whole truth about me, and some don't for safety reasons. I have learned through trial and error, learning and listening, how to exist in spaces, even if it requires me to adjust how I present or not be entirely who I am.
I think it's important for there to be more open discussions within academia or a work context about the challenges of being LGBTQIA+ abroad - we take on a heightened risk to do what we love, not just for safety reasons, but in terms of mental wear.
I dance through gender constructs as though between raindrops, but I'm always thoughtful about not slipping, because I don't want to alienate others, endanger myself, or damage my reputation. These are tricky convos - and I get a LOT of questions by young scientists re: how do.
And I hate that the only advice I can give sometimes is:
Read the room.
The hard truth is that it is not always safe to be yourself. There isn't always support to back you up. If you work abroad, you have to play by that society's rules - which may be very, very different.
Read the room.
The hard truth is that it is not always safe to be yourself. There isn't always support to back you up. If you work abroad, you have to play by that society's rules - which may be very, very different.
The best advice I can give IS to build those support networks back home or carefully, through trusted contacts, because it's hard, sometimes. It's a big sacrifice, and one that we need to be open about.
I'm saying this as a proudly queer scientist, not to discourage other LGBTQIA+ people from field conservation, but to be honest about the challenges that come with it, so we can focus on reasons we got into this job - the work, the adventure.
Build your networks.
Encourage safety training in work/academia spaces (self defense courses, even, not just for LGBTQIA+ individuals, for everyone!)
Conversations about identity and the challenges of identity abroad.
Encourage safety training in work/academia spaces (self defense courses, even, not just for LGBTQIA+ individuals, for everyone!)
Conversations about identity and the challenges of identity abroad.
We need to encourage our departments, as well as ourselves to do the work, to help LGBTQIA+ scientists stay safe and thrive in the field as much as possible.
