Social, institutional, and political climates shape the experiences and careers of LGBTQIA+ neuroscientists worldwide

LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and related identities) individuals in science face unique career challenges. We surveyed a large sample (N = 428) of neuroscientists, uniquely capturing a diverse international population (hundreds of participants from Europe and the USA; more than 60 transgender participants). In the USA, compared to Europe, we found higher institutional support and a higher likelihood of being out of the closet in academic settings. However, participants based in the USA also reported more negative workplace experiences. A concerning 15% of the participants reported experiencing harassment at their workplace. Thematic analysis of qualitative responses showed that reasons for not being out varied by group; for example, asexual people were more likely to mention a lack of understanding, while transgender people reported safety concerns. The majority of participants (67.3%) felt that legislation affected decisions within their scientific career, with most of these participants reporting moving away from locations unsupportive of LGBTQIA+ individuals or forgoing career opportunities in certain locations. Overall, we show differential experiences of neuroscientists between the USA and Europe, as well as between identities. While our results demonstrate the challenges many LGBTQIA+ individuals in neuroscience face, they also put forward actionable recommendations for institutions that could vastly improve the lives and careers of LGBTQIA+ neuroscientists.