LGBT Chemists and Allies

Summer 2010:

The American Chemical Society Division of Professional Relations is pleased to announce the establishment of a new subdivision: the Subdivision for Gay and Transgender Chemists and Allies. The new subdivision represents the first formal outreach by the American Chemical Society to members of the lesbigaytrans community, and those concerned about their professional interests and issues. The subdivision goals are inclusion, advocacy, recognition, mentoring/networking, ACS programming, and collaboration/outreach with NOGLSTP and other organizations.

For over a decade, NOGLSTP has organized a caucus of ACS members under the name LGBT Chemists and Allies. The caucus has met formally at each Fall ACS National Meeting since 2002, and informally for dinner at many of the Spring National ACS Meetings. Since 2008, the formal reception has been an ACS Presidential Event, thanks to the efforts of Chris Bannochie. The Division of ACS Professional Relations hopes to attract these caucus members and their allies into the new subdivision to provide them with a formal divisional home with the American Chemical Society.

Newly appointed subdivision chair, Barbara Belmont, is now putting together subdivision leadership and membership infrastructure. If you are a NOGLSTP member and an ACS member, think about how the subdivision can serve you, how you might serve the subdivision, and how NOGLSTP and ACS should continue to enjoy mutually beneficial collaborations.

Contact Barbara Belmont to offer your ideas and assistance.