Dancing Like No One is Looking LGBTQ+ Visibility, Equity and Belonging in Digital Automation and Control Systems and Communities

This paper examines the imperative of LGBTQ+ equity, diversity and inclusion within organizations like IFAC. It highlights IFAC’s commitment to integrating D&I principles into its activities and decision making. This paper explores the intersection of LGBTQ+ experiences with automation and control systems, emphasizing ongoing challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals. Methodological considerations for D&I research in LGBTQ+ communities are discussed, advocating for direct engagement and participative qualitative approaches. The paper addresses the marginalization of LGBTQ+ digital culture and the role of AI in perpetuating biases. With this in mind it underscores the need to expand D&I efforts to encompass equity, fostering a sense of belonging for all individuals within organizations and communities. Through these insights, the paper contributes to the ongoing discourse on promoting inclusivity and equity in professional and academic spheres. It also offers methodological guidelines for those conducting scholarly studies including the LGBTQ+ community in an automated world.