June is Pride Month in the U.S., a time to celebrate and honor the LGBTQ+ community. At the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) we value holding a safe space for everyone to flourish in the engineering profession.
Pre-college students who are part of the LGBTQ+ community face unique challenges and experiences. Whether you are part of this community or an ally, you can play an active role in creating an atmosphere of inclusion and belonging in STEM fields — both during Pride Month and year-round.
Here are some Pride Month resources to support pre-college students such as those in our SWENext Clubs, as well as parents of pre-college students, educators, mentors, and adult advocates.
SWE Pronouns 101: Incorporating pronouns into activities promotes inclusivity, respect, and recognition of individuals’ gender identities. This guide from SWE demonstrates how to incorporate pronouns and create an inclusive environment.
Girl Scouts LGBTQ+ Pride Month Fun Patch Recommendations: Find a comprehensive list of 20 activity ideas to earn the LGBTQ+ Pride Month Patch, plus suggestions on how to discuss sensitive topics and create a safe environment within your Girl Scout troop.
Queer Scientists of Historical Note: Out to Innovate, a joint member partner organization of SWE, developed this list to recognize the contributions of queer scientists and engineers throughout history.
LGBTQ+ Crisis Hotlines and Services: This page, developed by SWE joint member partner organization oSTEM, links to a number of hotlines and services that support LGBTQ+ individuals in crisis.
People of STEAM: Meet Tristan: Tristan (he/him) is a FIRST alum and a board member of The Rainbow STEM Alliance. Learn more about his story and advocacy in this blog post from FIRST.
Creating Safer Spaces in Schools for LGBTQ Young People: This resource from the Trevor Project, a non-profit organization that offers counseling, resources, and advocacy for LGBTQ+ young people in crisis, provides tips to signal to LGBTQ+ young people that you are a safe person to turn to.
The National Education Association LGBTQ+ Support & Protection Toolkit: Support LGBTQ+ students in the classroom with this extensive toolkit from the NEA, including resources, message guidance, and details on updated Title IX rules.
LGBTQ+ College Resources: The Point Foundation, the largest scholarship-granting organization for LGBTQ+ students in the U.S., compiled this list of financial aid and scholarship resources for LGBTQ+ high school students and collegians.
