FIRST LGBT+ (A blog by and about LGBT+ people in FIRST)

[hardcopi]

Here is my unwanted 2 cents on this. I don't like the idea, It seems to me that First's biggest draw (well one of them) is being inclusive. We have never asked a student if they were gay, straight, black, white, male, female... none of that really matters. We have had LGBT students and it really was no big deal.

I don't particularly care for separating out a group of students/mentors for any reason. I'd be against it if it were a group like: "First Democrats" or "First Republicans" or "First ????" We are one community, separating us out for any arbitrary reason is kinda against what I thought we were all working towards.

Rich.

[Katie_UPS]

Originally Posted by hardcopi

We have never asked a student if they were gay, straight, black, white, male, female... none of that really matters. We have had LGBT students and it really was no big deal.

It would be awesome if we lived in a world where everyone was treated the same, and I know that you are trying to say that by focusing on what makes everyone different doesn't seem like it would help make the world an equal place.

But that's not how it always works. If you don't want to read the blog, then don't read it, but clearly some folks want this to exist. They're not making a corner of the internet that says "no straight or cis people allowed," they're just making a space where conversations about LGBT+ in FIRST can start.

Ignoring our differences won't make them go away, so we might as well try understanding how our differences change the way we experience things. This blog is a great way for the LGBT+ Community to share those experiences.

Also, if your team has been inclusive and a positive thing for those folks on your team, then that's great!

[runneals]

I think this is a great idea! I think students should start more of these types of communities to ally around each other, especially when they fall into the minority and sometimes tend to get steamrolled over when it comes to ideas, leadership, and decision making. If we could have more communities like what FIRST Ladies is/are, that would be soooooooo cool! Have a community by students, for students.

[trumpthero786]

Originally Posted by hardcopi

Here is my unwanted 2 cents on this. I don't like the idea, It seems to me that First's biggest draw (well one of them) is being inclusive. We have never asked a student if they were gay, straight, black, white, male, female... none of that really matters. We have had LGBT students and it really was no big deal.

I don't particularly care for separating out a group of students/mentors for any reason. I'd be against it if it were a group like: "First Democrats" or "First Republicans" or "First ????" We are one community, separating us out for any arbitrary reason is kinda against what I thought we were all working towards.

Rich.

But how is this any different than Women in STEM/FIRST campaigns?

[Carolyn_Grace]

I've become friends with more LGBT+ FIRSTers over the years, and I'm very excited to see this blog. I am eager to read more about LGBT+ experiences in FIRST. I hope that this blog helps me become a better ally, mentor, and volunteer.

Even though FIRST emphasis is on STEM and robots, it's the people who are always most important in my opinion. And learning from a variety of people (especially those different from me) is a great way to become a better person. I find that when I surround myself by like-minded people, that I don't learn nearly as much as when I am around diversity.

I welcome this blog, and am eager to follow, learn, and support in anyway that I can. (I love editing, so if anyone ever wants me to edit their content, just shoot me a PM).

[Chris is me]

I'd love to hear more perspectives from straight cis people telling LGBT people their identities don't matter and that their struggles with inclusion and acceptance aren't valid, or that their very existence is a "political" issue that FIRST shouldn't even acknowledge. Please make more posts about this, it will really help all of us understand your uniquely informed position! This is sarcasm, please stop. If you can't be supportive, just move on.

---

In all seriousness, best of luck with the blog! Marginalized groups grow stronger and more supportive when they come together like this. I've known too many people who felt like they had to leave their identities at the door in order to be accepted on their robotics teams, and resources like this one will really help those students whom are finding themselves.

[ajdoming]

Originally Posted by TheModMaster8

i should have clarified my meaning of putting happiness in others, I meant putting happiness/acceptance in friendships will normaly fail given enough time.however you normal can find both of these in other forms of relationships, I.e spouse or your kids/parents, (these are normal the ones that last forever) as the saying goes. "friends come and go but family is forever."

Unfortunately, there are many people for which "family is forever" doesn't apply. As young people likely to spend the next several years moving around and interacting with thousands of people I would discourage an attitude that 'friendship is fleeting'. If you cultivate and maintain your close friendships they can easily be lifelong and as fulfilling as familial relationships.

[GabrielaH]

Very glad to see this. Can't wait to see it's impact on creating an inclusive environment for the LGBT+ community in FIRST!

[scoutitout]

Originally Posted by hardcopi

Here is my unwanted 2 cents on this. I don't like the idea, It seems to me that First's biggest draw (well one of them) is being inclusive. We have never asked a student if they were gay, straight, black, white, male, female... none of that really matters. We have had LGBT students and it really was no big deal.

I don't particularly care for separating out a group of students/mentors for any reason. I'd be against it if it were a group like: "First Democrats" or "First Republicans" or "First ????" We are one community, separating us out for any arbitrary reason is kinda against what I thought we were all working towards.

Rich.

I totally agree with this statement. I don't see any reason to separate out any group of kids. FIRST seems to be a pretty inclusive group and doesn't seem to have a major issue with discriminating. It is the same thing with girls in STEM events. I always feel awkward in those.

Besides if we have groups for LGBQ, shouldn't we have them for African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, Christians, Muslims, Jews, whites, straights, and every other defining group? If we have it for one, others will follow with other groups. Instead of diverse teams and forums like CD, we get small forums such as mentioned above.

FIRST has been such a great organization to me because teams and youth focus on robots instead of all the political correctness everywhere. Please don't bring it here.

[bombodail]

Originally Posted by scoutitout

I totally agree with this statement. I don't see any reason to separate out any group of kids. FIRST seems to be a pretty inclusive group and doesn't seem to have a major issue with discriminating. It is the same thing with girls in STEM events. I always feel awkward in those.

Besides if we have groups for LGBQ, shouldn't we have them for African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, Christians, Muslims, Jews, whites, straights, and every other defining group? If we have it for one, others will follow with other groups. Instead of diverse teams and forums like CD, we get small forums such as mentioned above.

FIRST has been such a great organization to me because teams and youth focus on robots instead of all the political correctness everywhere. Please don't bring it here.

I completely agree with you, the last thing FIRST needs is to be taken over by SJWs. If people need issues to focus on, it should be issues that affect everyone such as climate change for example.

[Carolyn_Grace]

Originally Posted by scoutitout

I totally agree with this statement. I don't see any reason to separate out any group of kids. FIRST seems to be a pretty inclusive group and doesn't seem to have a major issue with discriminating.

This quote would have been better if it ended with, "...that I know of."

Just because you do not see any issues, does not mean that they do not exist. This is called Cognitive Dissonance: when your beliefs do not necessarily align with something else that is true.

Your personal experience cannot speak for others. If LGBT+ FIRSTers say that this blog is something that would be useful to them, then who is anyone to say that it isn't needed?

It would be like someone saying, "I'm hungry. I'm going to eat this banana." And someone else replying, "You're not hungry. You don't need that banana." Who are you to tell someone else that they aren't hungry? That they don't need this support group?

Originally Posted by bombodail

I completely agree with you, the last thing FIRST needs is to be taken over by SJWs. If people need issues to focus on, it should be issues that affect everyone such as climate change for example.

So just because a group is focusing on one thing, doesn't mean that the people involved can't focus on another thing as well. Supporting a LGBT+ FIRST blog doesn't mean that you CAN'T support research on climate change. This is a red herring logical fallacy.

[Chris is me]

Originally Posted by bombodail

I completely agree with you, the last thing FIRST needs is to be taken over by SJWs. If people need issues to focus on, it should be issues that affect everyone such as climate change for example.

Acknowledging that LGBT+ people exist and should be treated fairly is neither "political correctness" nor "SJW" talk. You're making an active effort to silence marginalized groups because you would rather pretend they, and the struggles they face, don't exist. This is quite simply contrary to the spirit and mission of FIRST, which is to inspire and spread awareness of science and technology worldwide. How can we inspire the population in general if we ignore the calls of marginalized groups trying to stand up for themselves? FIRST is for everyone.

I'm biting my tongue here to prevent a side discussion about the loaded and problematic implications of "political correctness" and "SJW" as terms used to dismiss out of hand the concerns of everyone who isn't a straight cis white dude. I don't support their usage in this context, I'm just trying to frame the issue in terms the poster used and might understand

[jweston]

This sounds like a wonderful idea. Statistically speaking, all teams have LGBTQI people living in their communities. That includes your community whether you realize it or not. It is my hope that we all understand how valuable it is to diversify our teams if we want to fulfill our mission of spreading interest in STEM. Unfortuntely, there is still a lot of prejudice against and fear of non-heteronormative people in the world. This blog has the potential to help teams become better acquainted with LGBTQI people and understand some of the unique issues they face, especially issues that pertain to their participation on a team.

I wish you well in your effort to bring another resource to make FIRST one of the most inclusive communities in the world.

[indieFan]

Can someone please list some of the issues that affect the LGBT+ members within the FIRST and/or STEM contexts that would be addressed by this blog?

I'm trying to understand how it fits in, but still have no clue.

[Carolyn_Grace]

Originally Posted by indieFan

Can someone please list some of the issues that affect the LGBT+ members within the FIRST and/or STEM contexts that would be addressed by this blog?

I'm trying to understand how it fits in, but still have no clue.

I'll start!

1. People posting on Chief Delphi, questioning why a blog like this is needed.