Posts: 51545 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-16-2020 04:04 PM
Francis French has expanded upon an article he wrote for the National Space Society's Ad Astra magazine and has published it online: Gay Astronauts: A Final Frontier.
... Save for perhaps a few countries who have yet to put their first citizen in orbit, there are few personal firsts left to claim. But one title was often a cause of speculation. Who would be the first openly gay astronaut?
Gay astronauts would not always have been welcome in the space programs of the world, and in many places would still not be.
SpaceAholic Member
Posts: 5308 From: Sierra Vista, Arizona Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-16-2020 06:16 PM
There is a tendency to confuse "welcoming" with acquiesce to a PC culture. It was never an issue until an individual's sexual preference was overtly thrown into the discourse.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 51545 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-16-2020 06:33 PM
Hoot Gibson seems to disagree with it never being an issue. From the article:
As chief of the astronaut office for a number of years, he had a lot of say in who was selected as an astronaut.
"Texas was not a very welcoming environment for gay people," he tells me. "Although I did meet some gay people there, it was kept pretty quiet. I'm certain NASA would have gone ballistic if there had been any gay astronauts then. NASA was a 'don't rock the boat' outfit who shied away from anything controversial.
There is nothing overt or PC about being able to have your husband or wife (or otherwise significant other) at your side before launching or after landing from a mission. There is no question that NASA would have never tolerated a same sex couple doing that until very recently.
dom Member
Posts: 1062 From: Registered: Aug 2001
posted 10-17-2020 06:24 AM
For the younger generation this is a non-issue. Whilst I'm glad newer astronauts can "come out" without it threatening their career, in an era where almost every other aspect of the Space Race has been dissected by historians I find it interesting it is off limits to contemplate if any M-G-A era astronauts might have had homosexual feelings. Statistically, some must have been or was their training so effective at "weeding out" gay people?
issman1 Member
Posts: 1116 From: UK Registered: Apr 2005
posted 10-17-2020 07:20 AM
We know of three for certain: deceased NASA astronaut Sally Ride (who even married a male astronaut in 1982 to conceal herself), failed U.S. space tourist Lance Bass (who trained at NASA Houston in 2002) and NASA astronaut Anne McClain (who was bizarrely outed by her ex-wife in 2019).
I'm sure there are/were more homosexuals and lesbians who went to space or trained for a mission.
Glint Member
Posts: 1119 From: New Windsor, Maryland USA Registered: Jan 2004
posted 10-17-2020 08:18 AM
But one title was often a cause of speculation. Who would be the first openly gay astronaut?
Often a cause for speculation? According to whom, because the article didn't make clear if this statement is true or supported by fact.
Delta7 Member
Posts: 1746 From: Bluffton IN USA Registered: Oct 2007
posted 10-17-2020 08:26 AM
I recall a passage in Michael Collins' book Carrying The Fire, about him serving on the 1966/Group 5 astronaut selection committee. He mentioned one candidate being rejected because psychological tests revealed him to be a "latent homosexual."
oly Member
Posts: 1462 From: Perth, Western Australia Registered: Apr 2015
posted 10-17-2020 08:33 AM
Questioning the orientation of any astronaut has no significance in this day and age. In all honesty, who cares? What difference does it make? Speculating on such can do more harm than good.
Consider the effort Sally Ride and her partner went to to remain below the radar. How many milestones of her career did she experience without being able to publicly share such with her chosen partner.
dom Member
Posts: 1062 From: Registered: Aug 2001
posted 10-17-2020 09:45 AM
Now that sub-genres of space history such as women astronauts in the 1960s and black NASA mathematicians have been thoroughly explored it's only a matter of time before someone tries to "out" an early M-G-A astronaut. Even if this can't happen because they never made it past the screening process, it is still a legitimate research topic exploring why some brilliant candidates missed their spaceflight dream (maybe even walking on the Moon) because of now outdated social attitudes to sexuality.
History is written to understand the present as well as chronicle the past...
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 51545 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-17-2020 12:01 PM
There are public service announcements now airing on (U.S.) TV for LGBT History Month. The ads, put together by the Equality Forum, promote visiting this website for profiles of 31 LGBT icons, including astronaut Anne McClain.
Here is the video dedicated to her:
quote:Originally posted by oly: What difference does it make?
Astronaut Mike Mullane recently commented on Facebook about Francis' article. In part he wrote:
I was part of the "problem" in the treatment of women astronauts... not just gay women. (FYI, I suspected Sally was gay. I think most of the TFNG males had similar suspicions but it was never discussed.)
... I had long thought of writing Sally, herself, but kept putting it off to "tomorrow." Eventually, we run out of "tomorrows," as I did when I heard the news of Sally's death. I had no idea she was ill. So, I was never able to apologize to her.
Mullane, who in his book (and in his post) explained how he came to "see America's greatness in the empowerment of all of our population... regardless of color, gender, age, sexual orientation," also shared the letter he sent to Tam O'Shaughnessy after Sally died.
...Sally was a remarkable woman and faced enormous obstacles with courage and dignity. I have four granddaughters and when they get older, I will encourage them to read Lynn [Sherr's] book. I want them to have an appreciation for the sacrifices women like Sally (and each of you) made to secure a future in which they won't be constrained in pursuing their own dreams.
I didn't start this topic to encourage speculating on who may or may not be part of the LGBTQ+ community or, for that matter, debate the merits of discussing the subject. Rather, as Francis writes and as we often highlight on this forum, I think what identifies astronauts as "just like us" can and does serve as an inspiration for those who relate.
ea757grrl Member
Posts: 805 From: South Carolina Registered: Jul 2006
posted 10-17-2020 02:11 PM
quote:Originally posted by Robert Pearlman: Rather, as Francis writes and as we often highlight on this forum, I think what identifies astronauts as "just like us" can and does serve as an inspiration for those who relate.
To which I'd add: Given how many people make up the collectSPACE community, it's statistically very likely we have LGBTQ+ people here for whom this particular topic might resonate — so thank you, Robert, for keeping things dignified and respectful.
Kudos as well to Francis for a very nicely-done article, and to Mike Mullane for his note of grace.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 51545 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 12-19-2023 09:11 AM
The Museum of Flight release
Museum's Flight Deck Podcast LGBTQ+ Series Features Astronaut Wendy Lawrence Dec. 19
Retired Navy Captain and 4-time astronaut on Flight Deck Season 3 finale
The Museum of Flight's weekly podcast, Flight Deck, shares the personal side of aviation and space history. Flight Deck Season 3 concludes an 8-episode series on LGBTQ+ aerospace history on Dec. 19 with an interview with retired NASA astronaut Wendy Lawrence. The conversation with host Sean Mobley ranges from life as a Navy helicopter pilot to her NASA career as an LGBTQ+ astronaut.
Flight Deck Season 3 offers interviews with a variety of people whose lives intersect with LGBTQ+ aerospace history, including United Airlines pilot and former co-chair of the National Gay Pilot's Association Greg Sumner; author, astrophysicist and science communicator Joalda Morancy; and X-15 historian, transgender activist, Air Force veteran and science educator Michelle Evans. Previous seasons offer conversations spanning topics from science fiction to walking on the Moon. Flight Deck is on the Museum's website and is also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other podcast providers.
Colokent Member
Posts: 17 From: Colorado Springs, CO USA Registered: Jun 2013
posted 12-20-2023 12:29 AM
I believe this topic is a deeply personal one, and that as such, I have zero idea why it is appropriate to use a person's sexual practices/proclivities as a theme for an event. Clearly anyone has the right to love anyone they want — so not arguing with that. I just don't see a valid relationship to the topic at hand — human spaceflight.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 51545 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 12-20-2023 09:34 AM
The subject of who someone loves is not only defined by sexual activities; it also is a trait that forms a person's complete character.
No one seems to object to Rhea Seddon and Hoot Gibson appearing on stage at events as husband and wife, as well as being two astronauts. And there was plenty of focus paid to Anna Fisher when she became the first mother to fly into space (the result of a sexual activity).
Religion is also a deeply personal topic, but it was great to see Jasmin Moghbeli spin the dreidel on the International Space Station, especially now, at a time when antisemitism is on the rise again.
It's been said before, but if for no other reason, representation counts. "If you can see it, you can be it." A young Jewish girl can imagine being an astronaut just a bit more by seeing something she relates to take place in space. And members of the LGBTQ+ community can see themselves as part of the NASA astronaut corps as past members step forward and share their stories.
posted 10-16-2020 04:04 PM
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