International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia: Bracken Johnston

This year’s Annual Conference marked both my first Microbiology Society conference and my first experience attending  ascientific conference altogether. Safe to say, I did not know what to expect, however I found not only an environment to engage with stimulating microbiology research, but also a chance to experience a strong sense of community. Alongside the amazing scientificsessions, presentations and posters, a particularly meaningful part of the conference for me was the networking event for LGBTQ+ attendees and allies. The conference itself has a lively and welcoming atmosphere that felt amplified by attending the event.

I attended the Trans and Nonbinary pre-meet alone, which filled me with nerves on my way to the venue. However, as soon as I arrived and began speaking with people, I was reassured and those nerves quickly disappeared. I feel so appreciative that a Trans and Nonbinary pre-meet ran this year, as it can feel isolating to be a gender diverse person in any environment – let alone a professional one, and to a beginner like me. Gender diverse people have many struggles in the workplace: harassment, the stress of ‘going stealth’, erasure of identity or misgendering yourself for safety, to name a few. Meeting with others at the pre-meet reassured me that I am not alone in my experience and hopefully reassured them too. 

Once the wider LGBTQ+ event began, there was plenty of pizza to go around and the conversations flowed just as easily as the drinks. Both early career and senior scientists were able to connect professionally and personally, without feeling that they had to hide aspects of themselves. I formed a quiz team with a mix of familiar faces and people I had only just met. It was a lovely way to spend the evening with everyone joyful and laughing (and my team winning a second-place prize in the quiz!). 

Although progress is consistently being made, LGBTQ+ scientists of many backgrounds feel uncertain about being fully open about their identities in professional environments, making events like these incredibly important. Visible and inclusive spaces within scientific communities sends a profound message to the quieter of us that change is happening. 

If you considered attending the event this year but were unable to, I would really encourage you to come along next year. Everybody I encountered was incredibly friendly and it was a fantastic opportunity to meet new like-minded people in my field. Events like these become even more meaningful and enjoyable as more people take part and it’s lovely to see kind faces around the conference after the event.

The organisers should be proud of the community they have fostered. I couldn’t have asked for better from my first conference and can’t wait to attend next year’s LGBTQ+ event to catch up with all the wonderful people I met.

Find out more about the Society’s equality, diversity and inclusion initiatives and Annual Conference.