FAQQ: Who and what is Out to Innovate?A: Out to Innovate is formerly known as National Organization of Gay and Lesbian Scientists and Technical Professionals or NOGLSTP (pronounced nah’-goal-step). We are a membership-based professional society of gay, lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, asexual, queer and transgender people — and their allies — employed or interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields. We educate people on LGBTQ+ issues in science and the technical workplace, and foster mentoring and networking among our members. For a closer look at who we are, visit our Out and About Photoarchives section. Q. Why and when did you change your name to Out to Innovate?A: We rebranded in 2020 to have an all inclusive name so that all LGBTQ+ people in STEM will know that they are welcome and included in our advocacy and programming. The name "Out to Innovate" is inspired by the name of our signature event, the biennial "Out to Innovate Career Summit for LGBTQ+ People in STEM". Technically -- for IRS, financial matters, and contracts -- we are NOGLSTP doing business as Out to Innovate. Q:What's with your original name, NOGLSTP?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, pansexual, asexual and transgender people welcome as Out to Innovate members?A: Absolutely! That's one of the reasons our public facing name was changed from NOGLSTP to Out to Innovate. Although these words were not in our name, we have always welcomed people of all sexual orientations and gender identities — gay, lesbian, pansexual, asexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, and yes, even heterosexual allies. Q: What do you mean by LGBTQ+?We mean “LGBTQ plus”. Perhaps we also mean “LGBTQ positive”. This is our way of including everyone who identifies with or supports our community. As time passes, queerfolk adopt different labels for themselves. By saying "LGBTQ+" we aim to include all queer identities. Q: Do I qualify to become Out to Innovate member?A: If you support our goals, 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. For your convenience, you may join on-line. Q: What are the benefits of Out to Innovate membership?A:
Q: I joined the NOGLSTP e-list a long time ago. Doesn’t that make me an Out to Innovate member?A: The NOGLSTP e-list is something we put together in the 1990’s, and is a legacy that we have phased out. If you are still on the e-list, it’s unlikely that your dues are current. To be considered an Out to Innovate member, you must pay annual membership dues (or become a life member!). Q: I gave a donation to NOGLSTP. Does that make me an Out to Innovate member?A: That depends.
Q: Does Out to Innovate have a newsletter?A: Yes, there is a quarterly newsletter available to members -- the Out to Innovate Bulletin. The newsletter discusses relevant information to the LGBTQ+ and scientific communities, as well as our organization, affliliate and program project news. Its default delivery form is by email. Members have the option to surface mail delivery as their preferred delivery format. Back-issues of the Out to Innovate Bulletin and the NOGLSTP Bulletin are available for your enjoyment. Hopefully, you will be so impressed with our news that you will immediately join our organization. Q: Where do membership dues go?A: Membership dues support the Out to Innovate Bulletin, our membership management platform, and a very modest outreach program. We depend on additional donations to support some of our current program goals. Q: Anything besides newsletters and outreach?A: Out to Innovate (formerly NOGLSTP) has organized workshops, scientific symposia, and poster sessions for presentation at the Annual AAAS meetings. Each of these symposia involved educating the scientific community about LGBTQ+ issues. Some recent symposia have been: For a chronology of workshops, symposia and poster sessions, visit our Past Meetings page. Other projects that involve your dues money — as well as donations — include the following:
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 go to our Donations Section. Q: Why haven’t I seen Out to Innovate exhibit at my professional society annual meeting?A: Time and money. First, we have no paid staff, so anyone representing us at a meeting is there on their own time (and often their own dime). Our representatives are activated volunteers who are willing to step forward at their professional society meetings on behalf of LGBTQ+ people and our organization. Second, the cost of an exhibit booth at most professional society meetings is 4-5 figures. Without a major grant or benefactor, spending this magnitude of money to have a presence at all the professional society meetings would be unsustainable. If you wish to represent us at your professional society meeting, contact the us to make arrangements to have flyers, banners, and swag delivered to your conference hotel. Q: Where can I get more information about Out to Innovate?A: Check out the rest of this website, or reach out to someone on our contact page. |