Sexism in Tech conferences

Writing about sexism in tech conferences is hard. Especially as a young white male. I can only speak anecdotally – but most women in the Tech industry I speak to, talk a bit about moments of subtle sexism or sometimes out-and-out harassment. As a member of the tech community I’m completely behind any promotion of minorities in the industry, and feel that more can be done. It is interesting that most men I speak to in the industry don’t notice any problem.

Two articles spring to mind:

http://womeninastronomy.blogspot.com/2014/11/its-not-about-that-damn-shirt.html

This was written about STEM but I feel the same rules apply to the Tech community (especially since I personally straddle both communities).

It’s “not a big deal” when someone tells you he came to your talk because you’re attractive.

It’s “not a big deal” when a coworker comments on your appearance.

It’s “not a big deal” when someone makes a “joke” at work demeaning women.

It’s “not a big deal” when you are asked in a job interview if you have or are planning to have kids.

It’s “not a big deal” that you were warned about what professor to avoid basically as soon as you got to school.

It’s “not a big deal” that that same professor was untouchable by the administration because he was too famous.

It’s “not a big deal” when someone assumes you are your own secretary on the phone.

It’s “not a big deal” when someone calls you “Miss” and your male colleague “Doctor.”

It’s “not a big deal” when going to parties at a conference comes with warnings of which of your fellow scientists are dangerous.

It’s “not a big deal” when your boss, adviser, or senior colleague asks you out.

All of this stuff IS a big deal. One of the things I hear about the tech industry – partly because of the passive agression that Hackers sometimes adopt is that as a community we need to grow up and become more professional AND inclusive. I agree wholeheartedly with this and applaud the conferences that encourage more female participation and more female speakers. Diversity is a good thing and I think it makes us smarter .

When you say, “Women shouldn’t go to DEFCON if they don’t like it,” you are saying that women shouldn’t have all of the opportunities that come with attending DEFCON: jobs, education, networking, book contracts, speaking opportunities – or else should be willing to undergo sexual harassment and assault to get access to them. Is that really what you believe?