LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, plus; or LGBT for short) geoscientists likely have to face more obstacles throughout their career than their cisgender/heterosexual colleagues. These barriers can take many forms, e.g., inflexible bureaucratic limits on name/gender marker, changes on documentation, a lack of training for cruise/field leaders on LGBT topics, a lack of support for transgender and gender non-conforming people on field trips and research cruises, and safety and medical considerations LGBT people must account for when travelling for either field work/cruises or when moving countries for a new position. These obstacles can be made smaller and overcome; with awareness and understanding by colleagues and initiatives, LGBT academics can thrive and contribute to research.

In this short course, we want to dive into the topic of visibility in the workplace. How visible is the LGBTQIA+ community in the geosciences? Are there differences between countries or institutions? What advantages can it have to foster awareness in the workplace in general, and which disadvantages can it have to be involuntarily visible? How are these questions related to the current social climate? And what can be the role of allies and cis-het people? We're going to discuss these questions (and more) together with input from the audience.