LGBTQ scientists revel in new James Webb space telescope images, revile its name

“It’s difficult to want to use an instrument when you know you’ll have to write about it using the name of someone who worked to negate your very existence.”

One of the Webb telescope images: A nearby, young, star-forming region called NGC 3324 in the Carina Nebula
Photo: NASA, ESA, CSA, and STScI

What’s in a name?

According to LGBTQ astrophysicists and activists, in the case of the spectacular new James Webb Space Telescope, it’s a long history of homophobia and complicity in the U.S. government’s purge of LGBTQ people from its ranks.

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As NASA administrator in the 1960’s, James E. Webb led the space agency’s efforts to land a man on the Moon. Before that, he served as an undersecretary of state, including time advancing the development of psychological warfare as a cold war tool in the Truman administration.

In both positions, critics say, Webb was complicit in the origins and legacy of government-sanctioned anti-LGBTQ policy, known in its early days as the Lavender Scare.

The new $10 billion space-based telescope bearing Webb’s name launched on Christmas Day last year. On Monday, NASA revealed the instrument’s first deep-space images with President Joe Biden at the White House.

🌟 A star is born!

Behind the curtain of dust and gas in these “Cosmic Cliffs” are previously hidden baby stars, now uncovered by Webb. We know — this is a show-stopper. Just take a second to admire the Carina Nebula in all its glory: https://t.co/tlougFWg8B #UnfoldTheUniverse pic.twitter.com/OiIW2gRnYI

— NASA Webb Telescope (@NASAWebb) July 12, 2022

LGBTQ scientists were conflicted.

“As one of the people who has been leading the push to change the name, today feels…

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