{"id":1067,"date":"2026-02-12T16:21:03","date_gmt":"2026-02-12T16:21:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/MathEd\/?p=1067"},"modified":"2026-02-13T09:31:47","modified_gmt":"2026-02-13T09:31:47","slug":"lgbt-history-month-2026-mathematics-innovation-and-lgbtq-voices-in-stem","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/MathEd\/index.php\/2026\/02\/12\/lgbt-history-month-2026-mathematics-innovation-and-lgbtq-voices-in-stem\/","title":{"rendered":"LGBTQ+ History Month 2026: Mathematics, Innovation, and LGBTQ+ Voices in STEM\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"LGBTQ

LGBTQ+ History Month Open University, Source:<\/p><\/div>\n

Each February, LGBTQ+ History Month invites us to celebrate LGBTQ+ culture, achievements, and activism. This year\u2019s theme is <\/span>Science and Innovation<\/span><\/b>,\u00a0encouraging\u00a0us to reflect on how data, research, and critical enquiry help drive positive social change. Mathematics is central to that mission: it sharpens our reasoning, challenges assumptions, and equips us to analyse inequalities that shape people\u2019s lives.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

You can read about the origins of LGBTQ+ history month here: <\/span>LGBT+ History Month\u00a02026 | Stonewall UK<\/span><\/a>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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LGBT+ History Month 2026 logo, Schools OUT UK.
Source: https:\/\/lgbtplushistorymonth.co.uk\/lgbt-history-month-2026\/<\/p><\/div>\n

LGBTQ+ Mathematicians\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For students and colleagues in mathematics, this month is also a chance to highlight LGBTQ+ mathematicians whose work and advocacy continue to transform STEM. Here, we spotlight\u00a0<\/span>four figures\u00a0whose contributions illuminate not only mathematical innovation, but also the importance of visibility, justice, and community.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Alan Turing (1912\u20131954)<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Alan Turing (1951)<\/strong>. Photograph by Elliott & Fry. Public domain. Source: Wikimedia Commons<\/a>.<\/p><\/div>\n

Alan Turing\u2019s influence on modern science is hard to overstate. A founder of theoretical computer science and artificial intelligence, his wartime work on codebreaking significantly shaped the course of the Second World War. Yet despite these achievements, Turing was persecuted by the British state for his sexuality,\u00a0a stark reminder that scientific brilliance flourishes best in conditions of dignity and inclusion. Today, Turing\u00a0remains\u00a0both an icon of mathematical innovation and a symbol of the ongoing work needed to ensure LGBTQ+ individuals can live and work openly and safely.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

You can listen to some audio\u00a0recordings\u00a0about Alan Turing on Open Learn, here:\u00a0<\/span>Alan Turing: Life and legacy |\u00a0OpenLearn\u00a0– Open University<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Autumn Kent <\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Autumn Kent. Source: https:\/\/500queerscientists.com\/autumn-kent\/<\/p><\/div>\n

Autumn Kent is a topologist whose research explores geometry, topology, and moduli of Riemann surfaces. She has published extensively and received several major awards, including a Simons Fellowship. Kent is also a\u00a0<\/span>pansexual trans woman\u00a0and a prominent advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion in mathematics, organising the\u00a0LG&TBQ+ conference\u00a0to support collaboration between LGBTQ+ mathematicians working in geometry and topology. Her work exemplifies how mathematical creativity and community activism can reinforce each other.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The most recent LG&TBQ+ conference (LG&TBQ2) was held in 2025:\u00a0<\/span>LG&TBQ2: geometry, topology, and dynamics | Fields Institute for Research in Mathematical Sciences<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ron Buckmire\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Ron Buckmire at the 2013 Joint Mathematics Meeting. Source: https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Ron_Buckmire_at_2013_Joint_Mathematics_meeting.jpg<\/p><\/div>\n

Ron Buckmire is an applied mathematician whose work spans numerical analysis, mathematical modelling, and mathematics education. Beyond his research, he has played\u00a0a major role\u00a0in LGBTQ+ advocacy within STEM. Buckmire was a founding member of\u00a0<\/span>Spectra, the association for LGBTQ+ mathematicians, and has long championed greater visibility and representation for historically excluded groups. His activism and academic leadership make him a central figure in contemporary LGBTQ+ mathematical communities.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

More information about the LGBTQ+ association Spectra can be found here:\u00a0<\/span>What we do \u2013 Spectra<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Marina\u00a0Logares\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Marina Logares. Source: https:\/\/lgbtqstem.com\/2020\/07\/10\/an-interview-with-marina-logares\/<\/p><\/div>\n

Marina\u00a0Logares\u00a0is an algebraic geometer whose work contributes to our understanding of complex algebraic structures. She is listed among confirmed LGBTQ+ mathematicians and is recognised for her visibility as a lesbian mathematician. Her presence in the field highlights the importance of representation and the work still to be done to ensure all mathematicians feel seen and supported in their academic environments.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

You can read an interview with Marina, here:\u00a0<\/span>An interview with Marina Logares \u2013 LGBTQ+ STEM<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

We have picked out four examples of LGBT+ mathematicians for this blog, but there are many more inspiring mathematicians and statisticians, including those posted on the 500 Queer Scientists campaign, here<\/a>. This<\/span>\u00a0visibility campaign which publishes self-submitted bios and stories intended to boost the recognition and awareness of queer scientists, including our own Senior Lecturer in Analysis: Tacey O\u2019Neil<\/a>.<\/span> If you are LGBTQIA+ and work in STEM, STEM advocacy, STEM education (or any other supporting field), you can add your voice and story to 500 Queer Scientists.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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OU academic Tacey O’Neil<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

Why Mathematics Belongs at the Heart of LGBT+ History Month<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Rainbow Pi symbol.
Source: https:\/\/pixabay.com\/vectors\/pi-math-geometry-science-numbers-5786042\/<\/p><\/div>\n

Mathematics is often seen as abstract or detached from society,\u00a0but in reality,\u00a0it offers powerful tools for understanding and improving our world. Mathematical thinking helps us:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n