Despite the growth in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields in the United States, only 60% of STEM majors complete their degrees. Although STEM is stereotyped as a cis (same gender as birth), straight male, agentic (self-focused), and not communal (other-oriented) field, the inclusion of communion in STEM boosts STEM motivation. Since LGBTQ students highly value communion and LGB(T)Q students are less likely than non-LGB(T)Q students to stay in STEM, we explored whether LGBTQ individuals’ desire for communal opportunities or feminine gender expression shapes their belonging or expectations for success in STEM which in turn affects their (future) motivation to pursue STEM. We collected data from 204 participants (125 non-LGBTQ women, 79 LGBTQ individuals) at University of North Florida. For LGBTQ individuals, their feminine gender expression negatively affected their belonging in STEM, which positively affected their (future) motivation to pursue STEM. While for non-LGBTQ women and LGBTQ individuals, perceived communal opportunities within STEM positively affected expectations for success in STEM, and subsequently positively affected their (future) motivation to pursue STEM. In conclusion, feminine expression was only a factor for LGBTQ individuals, not non-LGBTQ women, and only with the belonging path; communal opportunities was only predictive for the expectations for success path. We are going to explore this model in our second study. Audio Playe
