09 Jun The Out Astronaut Project Selects Brian Murphy as Winner of the 2021 Out Astronaut Contest

 BOULDER, Colo. – Brian Murphy was selected today as the winner of the 2021 Out Astronaut Contest, a competition hosted by the Out Astronaut Project. The Out Astronaut Project increases the visible representation of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer+ (LGBTQ+) identified persons in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields.

Out Astronaut is sponsored through the International Institute for Astronautical Sciences (IIAS), a research and education institute specializing in aeronomy, bioastronautics, operational science, flight test engineering, and science education.  Murphy, a gay, non-binary astronomy student, will attend the Phase I Fundamentals of Astronautics course this September hosted at Florida Tech in Melbourne, FL.

The intent of the program is to train and fly an openly LGBTQ+ person as a spaceflight researcher.  Of the 561 individuals that have been selected as astronauts or cosmonauts, none have ever identified openly as a member of the LGBTQ+ community during their tenure as an active astronaut.

“Just three years ago, I was closeted and cut off from the world of LGBTQ+ outreach and activism.  Now, I have been selected as the 2021 Out Astronaut, and get to work with the inspiring Out Astronaut team, and their partners to see a more visible and inclusive future become reality”, said Murphy, “I am so thankful for all of the support I have received, and I look forward to chasing the dreams of LGBTQ+ acceptance in STEM and human spaceflight for years to come.”

The LGBTQ+ community is notably under-represented in STEM professions. According to a recent poll conducted by ‘Pride in STEM’, more than 40 percent of LGBTQ+ people in STEM are not out and LGBTQ+ students are less likely to follow an academic career. The Out Astronaut Project highlights the contributions of LGBTQ+ members currently working in science and space.

“Regrettably, many LGBTQ+ people interested in STEM fear that they will be seen as a liability” explains Out Astronaut Project Executive Director, Dr. Jason Reimuller, “Out Astronaut fosters equity and inclusion in STEM fields by enabling members of the LGBTQ+ community to serve as role models and demonstrate that there are no limits to a career in science.”