Transgender scientists speak out
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) efforts so far frequently fail to address needs of transgender scientists. That was the argument put forth in a commentary co-authored by Professor Sofia Kirke Forslund-Startceva, Group Leader of Host-microbiome factors in cardiovascular disease Lab at the Max Delbrück Center. The commentary was published in a March 2024 special issue of the journal “Cell” on sex and gender.
Dr. Forslund studied bioinformatics and biochemistry at Uppsala University and Stockholm University.
At a time when laws and policies are being implemented in various countries that diminish the rights of trans people to deny them health care, legal recognition or recourse from discrimination, it felt like the right time to write the piece, says Forslund. Written by a total of 24 transgender scientists, it describes the barriers that hinder their full participation in Science, Technology, Engineering, Math and Medicine fields. Although Forslund herself has felt largely supported and respected in her scientific career, many trans scientists have not been as lucky. They face frequent harassment, discrimination, and heightened scrutiny over their professional attire and behavior, which contributes to a hostile work environment and diminishes their career advancement opportunities.
The scientists are calling for systemic changes to improve inclusivity. They also propose that colleagues take steps to support their trans peers, and advocate for institutional and policy changes. As part of Berlin’s third annual Pride Month series of events that aim to give the LGBTQIA+ community a platform for discussion, we interviewed Forslund about her participation in the commentary.
How did you become involved in this commentary?
Sofia Forslund: I have known many of the authors for several years now. We connected as a community over Twitter (now X) during what used to be a nicer time. Lexy von Diezmann (also an author) knows the editor at “Cell” and they were looking for articles for their special issue on sex and gender. Lexy reached out to the trans and non-binary scientists that she knew. And then there were a number of cross-continental video calls to come up with a set of ideas.
When you say you found each other on Twitter “during a nicer time,” what do you mean?
Sofia Forslund: When it wasn't a platform that explicitly censures a word like “cisgender” as hate speech. Musk specifically declared that this term is not allowed in X posts. They don’t enforce it consistenly, just as they don’t enforce anything consistently, but it is a sign of what message the platform intends to push, and it impacts and emboldens bigots on the platform. I have tried other platforms, but algorithms on many of them direct me to content that is sometimes very toxic, bigoted and suggestive material. It is just not a good use of my time. Besides, none of them replicate the online community we once had. I have drastically scaled back my social media presence.
“The original text was much angrier”
Getting back to the commentary, were you satisfied with the end result?
Sofia Forslund: The writing process was quite stormy. Many of the collaborators had wanted a more radical piece. We represented a diversity of perspectives but some would have wanted it to engage more with global inequities, with racism and with rising fascism, for example. In general, we had wanted it to be more intersectional and further reaching in its analysis of the causes of the power structures people exist within.
Can you elaborate on that a bit more?
Sofia Forslund: A lot of the oppression that people face comes not only from being trans but also from more complicated intersections between being trans and of a certain class or race, for example. There is also the issue that much terminology and focus reflects Western discourse and leaves aside how experiences elsewhere in the world may differ.
Why did the gentler version ultimately get published?
Sofia Forslund: The journal was only partially responsive to the more radical version, and there were disagreements within our group on whether to adapt or to withdraw our participation. Our perception was that the journal would have rather published something that would make institutions feel like they are doing a good job and that they should keep on doing the good job that they're doing. But that’s not what we wrote, so there was tension. Our original text was much angrier. But I am actually quite fine with the version that was published, I think this also serves a purpose.
Have you or the authors gotten much feedback on the commentary?
Sofia Forslund: I assume that it is being shared and talked about. But I since I have vastly reduced my social media presence, I really don’t know. Some of the authors have been asked to be interviewed. I am drawing on the article. I am referencing it in some texts including grant applications.
Is the community planning any other types of outreach?
Sofia Forslund: Several of us are preparing a session for the World Professional Association For Transgender Health at the end of September in Lisbon. It will cover similar topics to those that were covered in the commentary, but will go further into how research studies can and should span more diverse proband and patient populations. It’s another way that we can focus on transgender health. This new connection to WPATH resulted from the process of writing of the commentary. Also, we are actually planning to publish the more radical version of the commentary on a preprint server. There will be a more expansive version of it out at some point. Stay tuned.
Text: Gunjan Sinha
