Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Scientists (LAGLS) is an organization of professionals and students in the biological, mathematical, engineering, physical and social sciences meeting periodically throughout the Los Angeles area. Our purpose is to provide a social setting for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender scientists and technical professionals, and to increase the awareness of queers and non-queers to the presence of LGBT people in the scientific community. Membership is open to all who support our goals.
LAGLS, originally known as Los Angeles Gay Scientists (LAGS), started in 1979 when a gay botany professor and some of his colleagues decided to throw a dinner party for gay scientists in the Los Angeles area. The event was advertised on flyers distributed in the local bars (because, after all, that’s the only place queerfolk congregated in those days), and over 50 people attended! Exclaimed one attending botanist, “I hardly know any other BOTANISTS, and now I’ve met 3 other GAY botanists! The rest is history.
LAGLS is a founder, organizer, and regional affiliate of the National Organization of Gay and Lesbian Scientists and Technical Professionals (NOGLSTP … pronounce it NAW-gull-step), now known as Out to Innovate. Out to Innovate is a non-profit organization that educates and advocates for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer students and professionals in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. LAGLS members are also Out to Innovate members.
For more information about Out to Innovate, point your web browser to The Out to Innovate Website.