STEM by Stonewall

Building pathways to success for trans, gender nonconforming, and nonbinary youth

STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) is one of the fastest growing sectors in today’s economy. Education combined with real-world job experiences can be a pathway to jobs designing apps, pioneering green energy, and solving more of today’s problems.

In 2020, General Motors, the largest auto manufacturer in the US, approached Stonewall to collaborate on creating pathways for transgender, gender non-conforming, and non-binary (TGNCNB) youth to thrive in STEM fields. At a time when trans youth face growing attacks just for being themselves, we know that getting trans youth into STEM careers requires creating safe environments for them at school and in after school programs. It also requires pairing TGNCNB young people with mentors and working with employers to make sure that tech companies are affirming and welcoming places for them people to work. Seeded by a generous donation from General Motors, the GM STEM Fund at Stonewall supports organizations working toward these goals from multiple angles.

Stonewall spoke with educators and nonprofit leaders to identify organizations and projects in the areas of STEM education, professional mentorship, workforce development, corporate TGNCNB inclusion, and safe and supportive school environments for TGNCNB youth. We’re thrilled to announce that the six 2022 GM STEM Fund grantee partners are:

The Transgender Education Foundation, a scholarship and mentorship program that envisions a world where all Black trans youth and elders can access and complete post-secondary educations that ultimately lead to them having housing, job security, and access to equitable healthcare;

George Mason University’s Queers United in Tech and Engineering (QUTE) Initiative, which seeks to develop successful academic and career pathways for sexual and gender minoritized (SGM) undergraduate and graduate students;

Out in Tech, whose youth mentorship program builds the confidence and credentials of young people in STEM through internships and one-on-one mentorship;

Ruth Ellis Center, an LGBTQ center in the Detroit area whose Thriving Futures program uses an intersectional approach to set LGBTQ young people up for success at school and at work;

TransTech Summit, a virtual conference that provides TGNCNB people opportunities to learn and network with others in their field; and

TransNewYork, whose Workforce Readiness Program helps transgender people enter or re-enter the workforce by building skills in resume writing, interview prep, and other crucial workplace skills.

Altogether, these programs will reach over 800 students and over 2,000 adults across the US. We’re proud to partner with General Motors to provide support to this outstanding, diverse cohort of organizations.