Gay Astronomer Who Helped Create Black Hole Pic Defends Female Peer

Researcher Katie Bouman was slammed by misogynists, who wanted Andrew Chael to get credit for the image. Chael put an end to it -- then came out.

Neal Broverman

Neal Broverman is the Editorial Director, Print of Pride Media, publishers of The Advocate, Out, Out Traveler, and Plus, spending more than 20 years in journalism. He indulges his interest in transportation and urban planning with regular contributions to Los Angeles magazine, and his work has also appeared in the Los Angeles Times and USA Today. He lives in the City of Angels with his husband, children, and their chiweenie.

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Neal Broverman

April 13 2019 5:58 PM EST

April 13 2019 6:01 PM EST

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The world's first image of the cataclysmic celestial event known as a black hole was supposed to be a moment of celebration for the dozens of scientists and astronomers who collaborated to capture the picture. Instead, "men's rights" and various other misogynists took aim at Katie Bouman, one of the researchers behind the image of the black hole in the Virgo constellation.

While much of the media attention focused on Bouman, the young postdoctoral fellow at the California Institute of Technology was quick to point out she was one of many people around the globe who worked to create the historic image.

Bouman's Facebook post was likely a response to the harsh criticism on Reddit and YouTube, with misogynists claiming Bouman took all the credit for the picture. Many of the "men's rights" activists heaped praise on a researcher named Andrew Chael, claiming Bouman stole the white man's thunder.

Chael countered the lies and scorn heaped on Bouman, coming out in the process, according to NBC News.