# @rspb on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/CLulNZZHfFX
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/34270941-rspb-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/e6ee1bda0c.jpg
- **Posted:** 2021-02-25T20:01:01.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** RSPB (@rspb) — https://gondola.cc/rspb

## Caption

February is LGBT+ history month, so we’re delving into the contributions of a few LGBT+ figures in conservation and natural sciences...

Alan Turing (1912-1954) developed an equation that explains how chemicals spread through cells in living organisms, resulting in patterns in nature such as a leopard’s spots. Tragically Turing took his own life after bring chemically castrated for participating in homosexual acts.

Rachel Carson (1907-1964) has been credited as the founder of the modern-day environmentalist movement for being the first biologist to make the connection between chemical pesticides and harm to the natural world. Carson had a 12-year long relationship with another woman, which many claim was a romantic relationship.
 
Penny Whetton’s (1958-2019) contribution to climatology included many publications on global warming and being lead author on a Nobel-prize winning report of the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate change. Whetton came out as a trans women to her wife in 1998. 

Joan Roughgarden (1946-present) has formulated a theory of Social Selection that accounts for sexuality and gender diversity in nature, such as the presence of homosexual behaviour in monkeys and transgenderism in fish. Roughgarden came out as a trans woman in 1998.
 
At the RSPB, we’re pushing for LGBT+ inclusion through the Starlings, our LGBTQIA+ staff & volunteer network. The network brings together individuals from diverse backgrounds, across the whole organisation 🌈

#LoveYourNature #lgbthistorymonth

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 2,071
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 89

## Tags

loveyournature, lgbthistorymonth

---
Copyright (c) Gondola