[hackerspaces] Safe Space Policies?

[Madelynn Martiniere]

Just because hackers haven't written on this topic doesn't mean it isn't 
true. Most women won't come out and discuss sexism and misogyny in 
hackerspaces for fear of retribution or general disregard.

On that note, maybe it's time for an article from hackers. If any women 
in hackerspaces have stories of sexism they'd like to share with me for 
an article, I put together a quick form: 
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1FzjcEeNgzZfqdkhe3_6EU-Mp_xau4ppaOfN2o2vTMWU/viewform

> matt <mailto:matt at nycresistor.com>
> January 26, 2014 8:22 PM
> none of those links are from hackers or hacker related sources.
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
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> Discuss at lists.hackerspaces.org
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> Al Billings <mailto:albill at openbuddha.com>
> January 26, 2014 8:17 PM
> A list of links about hacker culture and diversity for your reading 
> pleasure.
>
> http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2013/09/11/221052414/sexism-in-the-tech-industry-takes-center-stage
>
> https://www.fsinf.at/dear-hacker-community-%E2%80%93-we-need-talk
>
> http://blogs.westword.com/showandtell/2013/09/the_problem_of_dickwolves.php
>
> http://news.cnet.com/8301-1009_3-57495650-83/sexism-and-the-single-hacker-defcons-feminist-moment/
>
> http://www.wired.com/opinion/2013/03/richards-affair-and-misogyny-in-tech/
>
> http://pando.com/2013/08/31/hackers-and-sexism-at-defcon/
>
> http://io9.com/5938698/the-great-geek-sexism-debate
>
> http://blogs.osuosl.org/gchaix/2010/11/07/open-source-misogyny/
>
>
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> Discuss at lists.hackerspaces.org
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> Red Davies <mailto:noiddicle at gmail.com>
> January 26, 2014 8:11 PM
> or Al, we don't accept people who display those traits in the first 
> place then we don't need to worry about it.
>
> Perhaps that's the problem you have.  If you're inclusive of assholes 
> then you have to have rules, policies and signs.  I hate to tell you, 
> but rules, policies and signs do not change assholes.  They embolden them.
>
>
>
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> Al Billings <mailto:albill at openbuddha.com>
> January 26, 2014 7:56 PM
> You mean one that someone said something about. How do you know that 
> female visitors haven't simply failed to return because of leering, 
> mainsplaining, or various other behaviors? You don't. The fact that 
> you're unwilling to even state a public policy against such things 
> mean that when (not if but when) they happen, women won't necessarily 
> assume that the person is an outlier but that it is accepted behavior. 
> Then they leave.
>
> Really, it is like Diversity 101 here. You've never bothered to think 
> about any of this stuff before from something other than your own 
> point of view, have you?
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> From: Red Davies Red Davies <mailto:noiddicle at gmail.com>
> Reply: Hackerspaces General Discussion List 
> discuss at lists.hackerspaces.org <mailto:discuss at lists.hackerspaces.org>
> Date: January 26, 2014 at 7:56:18 PM
> To: Hackerspaces General Discussion List 
> discuss at lists.hackerspaces.org <mailto:discuss at lists.hackerspaces.org>
> Subject: Re: [hackerspaces] Safe Space Policies?
> -- 
> Al Billings
> http://makehacklearn.org
>
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> Red Davies <mailto:noiddicle at gmail.com>
> January 26, 2014 7:56 PM
> So, I can answer that question easily.
>
> When people walk into the space they are always welcomed.  You know, 
> by an individual and not a fucking sign.  We welcome them, ask them 
> what their interests are, introduce them to people who have similar 
> interests, give them the 2c tour, get them to sign a waiver and 
> GENUINELY welcome them in on the basis that they are breathing[0] and 
> interested in the same stuff we are.
>
> A sign is worthless if you don't have a community that lives it.
>
> If you have a community that lives it then the sign is redundant.
>
> We've had one case of lecherous behavior towards a female guest.  We 
> made **him** the prey.  Once he became prey he learned **WHY** his 
> behavior was unacceptable (and we never saw him again).  That's a 
> two-for-one!
>
>
>
> Red
> [0] To be clear, zombies would probably be welcome too - we've just 
> not tried recruiting any by, you know... hanging out in graveyards, 
> political rallies etc...
>
>
>
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-- 
Madelynn Martiniere
Community Engineer. Entrepreneur. Geek.
LinkedIn <http://www.linkedin.com/in/madelynnmartiniere> | Twitter 
<http://www.twitter.com/creativetaboo>| Email <mailto:madelynn at women2.com>

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