LEGO includes the first lesbian in space in ‘Women of NASA’ set
The first lesbian who went into space will be immortalised by LEGO in its “Women of NASA” set.
The five figurines revealed by the Danish toy company feature female pioneers of the American space programme.
Scientists, engineers and astronauts make up the set which celebrates females in NASA.
Sally Ride, who was the first American woman in space, appears in the collection.
Ride came out as a lesbian in her obituary after she died in 2012. The astronaut reportedly kept her sexuality under wraps out of fear that it would negatively impact her career.
Maia Weinstock, a science writer, created the design which won the LEGO Ideas competition.
Weinstock said she included Rise in her designs because of her contributions towards science and space travel.
“What she did to support women and girls in the STEM fields is remarkable,” Weinstock told the Post.
“I knew I wanted to include her because she’s already fairly famous, so that would help the set gain some traction, but also because of all of the work she’s done post-NASA, to encourage young people to go into science and [engineering],” she added.
The writer described the reaction as “overwhelming” as she has been showered with congratulatory messages.
“The reaction has been overwhelming,” Weinstock said. “Messages of congratulations and excitement at the prospect of this set actually being on store shelves have been pouring in.”
