TABLE 4.

Themes that emerged from the student responses for why a STEM instructor revealing their LGBTQ+ identity would be appropriate or not appropriate

Theme	Description	% (n)	Student quote 1	Student quote 2
Appropriate (N = 408)
Empowers LGBTQ+ community and normalizes LGBTQ+ identities	Student reports that an instructor revealing their LGBTQ+ identity provides a role model for LGBTQ+ students and helps to reduce the stigma around LGBTQ+ identities.	28.9(118)	LGBTQ+ student: “It allows students to connect, if my instructor is a part of the LGBTQ+ community, with someone who is already in an established career that is impressive.”	Non-LGBTQ+ student: “I think it can inspire those in the LGBTQ+ community to see themselves represented in the STEM field.”
Increases relatability and connectedness of instructor; helps students get to know them	Student reports that an instructor revealing their LGBTQ+ identity helps them relate to their instructor and makes it easier for them to form a relationship with and feel connected to their instructor.	27.5(112)	LGBTQ+ student: “I think that this information is very, very personal and sharing this with the class forms a sort of trust between the students and the instructor that wouldn’t be present otherwise.”	Non-LGBTQ+ student: “It is important to know some personal facts to make the students feel more connected or even relate to the professor. It diminishes the intimidating feeling professors can give off.”
It is the instructor’s choice to decide what to share and they are free to share what they want	Student reports that an instructor revealing their LGBTQ+ identity is appropriate because the instructor has free speech and the freedom of choice on what information to reveal about themselves.	22.5(92)	Non-LGTBQ+ student: “It is [the instructor’s] choice and freedom to reveal their identity or not, so we should respect their choice.”	Non-LGBTQ+ student: “[Instructors] have the right to reveal whatever personal information they’d like, as long as it is appropriate.”
It is important to the instructor and who they are	Student reports that an instructor revealing their LGBTQ+ identity is an important part of the instructor’s identity and therefore is important and appropriate to share with others.	18.9(77)	Non-LGBTQ+ student: “It is important for [instructors] to feel comfortable being their authentic self. It is THEIR classroom and they deserve the respect.”	Non-LGBTQ+ student: “I think it’s a part of [the instructor’s] identity and when teachers are introducing themselves to the class this is something they want to share. It’s a part of who they are just like everything else.”
Builds community and trust in the classroom	Student reports that an instructor revealing their LGBTQ+ identity helps to create an inclusive environment in the classroom and signals to students that all perspectives will be valued.	13.2(54)	Non-LGBTQ+ student: “It created a more open and accepting environment [in the course].”	Non-LGBTQ+ student: “To know the class is accepting of all sexual orientations and beliefs [helps to] personalize the entire class.”
Sharing an LGBTQ+ identity is the same as sharing other information or personal details	Student reports that an instructor revealing their LGBTQ+ identity is appropriate because instructors would share non-LGBTQ+ identities or other personal information without question and sharing an LGBTQ+ identity is no different.	9.3(38)	Non-LGBTQ+ student: “Many instructors introduce themselves, show photos of their kids, wives or husbands, pets, and random things about themselves. I don’t see anything wrong with this being one of those little things that an instructor shares if they so choose.”	Non-LGBTQ+ student: “Because many professors will tell you if they are married or with kids or whatever. If the professor was straight nobody would blink an eye.”
It does not impact the student’s education or the instructor’s ability to teach	Student reports that an instructor revealing their LGBTQ+ identity does not impact an instructor’s ability to teach or a student’s ability to learn in a course.	5.9(24)	LGBTQ+ student: “As a member of the LGBT community myself, I am happy that the instructors feel comfortable and confident enough to share that about themselves with the class. This doesn’t affect my learning in any way, but I appreciate knowing that a faculty member shares my experiences as part of this community.”	Non-LGBTQ+ student: “It does not in my opinion add or take anything away from the quality of instruction or my experience/success in the class.”
Not appropriate (N = 20)
Not relevant to course material	Student reports that an instructor revealing their LGBTQ+ identity is irrelevant to course content.	65.0(13)	Non-LGBTQ+ student: “[It is] irrelevant distracting information to the learning objectives of the course, same as if the teacher told everyone they were not a member of the LGBTQ+ community––extraneous.”	Non-LGBTQ+ student: “I believe that this is not relevant to [the] course whatsoever. I do not believe anyone’s sexual identity, whether it be straight, bisexual, transexual, even asexual, should be the topic in a course.”
Makes student uncomfortable or student worries other students would be uncomfortable	Student reports that an instructor revealing their LGBTQ+ identity would make them uncomfortable or might make others in the course feel uncomfortable if their instructor revealed an LGBTQ+ identity.	25.0(5)	Non-LGBTQ+ student: “It might intimidate students who hold opposing views, as they may think they will be graded harder or treated unequally to the rest of the students.”	Non-LGBTQ+ student: “I don’t have a problem with it, but it does make me uncomfortable.”
Promotes certain beliefs or world views	Student reports that an instructor revealing their LGBTQ+ identity promotes a certain set of beliefs or morals.	10.0(2)	Non-LGBTQ+ student: “Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and not everyone has the same views.”	Non-LGBTQ+ student: “It pushes certain beliefs and other aspects onto the students when it doesn’t affect my class at all. I just want to learn about biology, not current day politics.”
Student does not care, or it does not matter to them	Student reports that an instructor revealing their LGBTQ+ identity does not matter to students, and they do not care if instructors choose to reveal or not.	10.0(2)	Student (declined to state LGBTQ+ status): “Rather than being not appropriate, I don’t think it matters whether they reveal something like that. […] I don’t think it is necessary to reveal such information, but if an instructor does reveal that they are a member of the LGBTQ+ community, then it’s fine.”	Non-LGBTQ+ student: “I don’t think it matters and it is something I don’t care to hear about.”
Feels forced or asking for attention	Student reports that an instructor revealing their LGBTQ+ identity is forced or unnatural.	10.0(2)	Non-LGBTQ+ student: “In general, I do feel it was not appropriate to reveal such personal information. It almost felt forced.”	Non-LGBTQ+ student: “A privilege I believe associated with the LGBTQ+ community is that no one will know you are a part of it unless it is mentioned. This differs from other marginalized communities. I personally feel that sharing one is a part of the LGBTQ+ community is asking for attention, but at the same time there could be a student in the class that needed to know this information.”