[Linux-aus] An Open Letter to the Open Source Community

[Elspeth Thorne]

On 23/05/07, Richard Neal <linuser at tpg.com.au> wrote:
> Before I let loose on this subject let me explain my personal position.
>
> Everyone has the right to be treated with respect and courtesy and deserves
> not to be judged or have inferred labels or beliefs forced upon them by
> anyone be they male, female or other.
>
> I can see were your coming from but as a proud "male" who is also proud to "be
> male" with all the qualms and limitations that the tag comes with I cant help
> but feel slighted by your diatribe on this list.

Hardly a diatribe. And if you are a saint, then it obviously isn't
directed at you, except in instances where you have the ability to
step in and stop such behaviour. You should feel proud to be called
upon.
>
> For starters "both sex's" can be sexist, and just because your "female"
> doesn't mean your the only one to suffer from this issue.
>

Well, actually, I'll go out on a limb here, and say it's really hard
for a guy to suffer gender discrimination because he's a woman. Of
course, MTF transexuals are an exception to this, but that's a whole
other can of worms.

> I also find it insulting how you define "normal" almost like your trying to
> infer all males are knuckle dragging apes, your last paragraph were you use a
> sexist statistic as a bludgeon is a classic.
>
Quote definition of normal please. I saw no such thing.

> A good opposing example is males make up 0.5% of knitting clubs are all males
> being locked out ? or could is it because  males due to gender or cultural
> differences don't really have much interest in knitting ?

Actually, of my local spinners, weavers and fibre artists group (which
incorporates knitters), approximately 8% of the membership are men. In
the most recent meeting I attended, men made up 25% of the attendees.
They're doing a lot better than my local LUG - and the cultural
inhibition against men being involved in these sorts of things is, at
least on the surface, higher than that for women in FOSS - so why the
heck is my knitter's group doing so much better in terms of gender
balance?

>
> If you have issues with individuals then talk to them and learn communicate
> don't jump onto a mailing list and try and infere some huge male conspiracy
> while at the same time painting all with the same brush.
>

No conspiracy was inferred; simply a willingness on the part of
members of the community of both genders to tolerate a behaviour which
is generating a barrier to entry for a certain group of people.

> So as a male, I'm sorry if any members either male or female have insulted you
> but please refrain from inferring we agree or support this in any way.

That inference was not made; there was a call to stop tolerating this behaviour.
>
> PS Also get thicker skin, I was the only male in an all female work place for
> 14 years and sexist remarks were common, I never took them personally
>
> Richard Neal
>
I have extremely thick skin, thanks. Sexist remarks is one thing;
being constantly pestered is quite another. See my previous response
to the list for concrete examples. I spent around 7 years in a 90+%
male environment; I have been at the pointy end of many undesirable
behaviours. And every time they have occured, I've stood up for myself
and set boundaries. This, however, doesn't help (and in fact makes me
into a big red target) if I am alone.

> "Proud to be male".
>

Good for you.

Elspeth Thorne.