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

[Alan Anderson]

Don't argue against the formation of a group just because you personally don't see a need for it. Yes, it would be great not to need it, but you're focusing on the goal to the exclusion of reality.

There are many applicable analogies. One of my favorites is a banquet table. Some people have, for whatever reason, received less food than others, or perhaps no food at all. There is a call for those people to be given food so that they do not go hungry. But anyone who tries to bring food to them specifically is stopped by others who proclaim that everyone deserves food, and nobody should get special treatment.

You might have all the food you need, and you might not believe that your situation is somehow privileged. But please don't let that belief lead you to think that you should stop people from giving food where it is wanted.

[Akash Rastogi]

Originally Posted by Alan Anderson

Don't argue against the formation of a group just because you personally don't see a need for it. Yes, it would be great not to need it, but you're focusing on the goal to the exclusion of reality.

Bingo! Well said Alan.

Also, again, if you disagree with this so much and don't want to change your mind, ignore it and don't try to censor a public website.

Not everyone needs an advocate for them, but if there's even one kid or mentor who feels more comfortable in their own skin after reading a blog, is it really a bad thing?

A simple blog isn't ruining your experience of FIRST, stop pretending like it will.

Trump 4 Prez /s

[bombodail]

Originally Posted by Chris is me

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

I support LGBTQ+ people 100%, I actually consider my self in one of the +. But I have never seen any issues regarding them, nor have I ever heard of any issues within FIRST. I understand that there are many issues outside of FIRST that they encounter, but I don't think those issues need to be at the forefront of FIRST. I have nothing against the existence of this blog either. However I just hope that FIRST does not turn into something where humans that are not members of of these discriminant groups do not feel discriminated against. It would all be better if people could just focus on the robots.

[Dival]

I am betting that in most teams homophobic jokes/phrases are told on a daily basis, and are passed. Really, homophobia is everywhere, just try to pay some attention...

Yes, it is important to discuss about LGBTs in FIRST just as much as it is important to discuss it in the context of any other educational program, especially one which requires an extensive amount of team, and in which being able to trust your fellow twam members /mentors is essential.

[Basel A]

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.

I find it difficult to take seriously anyone who uses the phrase "SJW," but I'll give it a go. These individual communities, whether FIRST Ladies or NEMO or whatever else, provide something to FIRSTers. Whether that's support or a forum to vent about negative experiences, I can't imagine why you would care. If it pertained to you, you'd probably understand why it's needed. And if it's not needed, then it'll go unused, and frankly that's a good outcome. If LGBT+ folks are getting the support they need without this blog, then that's fantastic. The OP, who has personal experience in this, does not feel that that's currently the case. You don't have personal experience in needing such support, so I'd recommend that you don't butt in and tell other people what they do or don't need.

[indieFan]

Originally Posted by Akash Rastogi

A simple blog isn't ruining your experience of FIRST, stop pretending like it will.

Nobody has pretended that it will. Just because we ask questions and challenge what people's initial response is doesn't make us "fatalists" for lack of a better term right now. (If someone has a better term, please provide it.)

[Sperkowsky]

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 emailed the op asking if there were any particular issues and he said he personally has not experienced any negative experience because of his orientation. He said the blog isn't going to be about normal first things per se and more about the experiences of being lgbt+ in First. I think we should all hold any judgement until the blog atleast actually becomes active. And remember you do not have to read it.

When I started F4 (a student run livestream) I got a ton of backlash from mentors and students alike saying the idea of this was stupid and unnecessary. Although I disagree about the stupid part I agree that it's not necessary. But neither is chiefdelphi, r/frc, gamesense, fun, Nemo, ect. First could 100% survive without any of these resources but It would be a pretty boring lack luster without them.

[Jon K.]

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 would like for you to read these quotes:

Like most academic and research institutions in the US, the overwhelming majority of the lead researchers in the museum department where I did my research were white cis-gendered (a term used to describe people who identify with the gender they were assigned at birth) heterosexual men. Growing up in the Midwest as a mixed-race, gay, Jewish, boyish girl, I never saw myself reflected in any of the science teachers I had, and struggled to visualize myself in a career in science.

Most people in science don’t intend to make life difficult to for trans researchers, but there are still many barriers, both systematic and cultural, to recruiting and sustaining the next generation of transgender scientists.

from this wired article.

This shows that while you may not understand why a blog like this is needed, many who would otherwise choose STEM fields choose to not pursue them because they feel ostracized and have no role models to look up to. This is not just true of trans people, but of all people. That is why groups supporting women, minorities, etc in STEM exist. It is to help the marginalized realize that there were trailblazers before them and to have mentors and leaders to look up to.

Many in FIRST look up to Dean, Dr. Flowers, and all of the WFFA and WFA winners because they all inspire us in one way or another. The LGBTQ+ community deserves to have these role models as well, and while many may not be as visible as a WFA winner, or Dean or Dr. Flowers, if a blog like this has the potential to provide that inspiration, and if for no other reason, isn't that good enough?

[Madison]

Originally Posted by Carolyn_Grace

I'll start!

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

2. I'd be a lot happier if there was a visible, vibrant community of LGBTQ FIRST participants I could point to when approached about the subject by students on my team.

I'll proudly wear the badge of Social Justice Warrior (SJW, for the uninitiated). You may think I'm taking over FIRST, but chances are I've been around since most of y'all were born.

[Akash Rastogi]

Originally Posted by indieFan

Nobody has pretended that it will. Just because we ask questions and challenge what people's initial response is doesn't make us "fatalists" for lack of a better term right now. (If someone has a better term, please provide it.)

I was actually referring to the student who mentioned she wanted to keep "political correctness" out of her FIRST experience, not you.

I am also not part of the LGBQT community, but I have plenty of friends who are and thought this was a cool idea.

Look, I don't see this harming anyone. I guess that's my real point.

[Mr_Moko]

I would like to thank everyone who has been discussing on this thread thus far, whether it's support or even criticism!

I can understand the worries of some people that this would just be a division for LGBT+ members of FIRST and those who are not, but the idea (like a few other projects) is to be a community that lives organically in FIRST. Let's face it, FRC consumes a lot of time for anyone involved and we love it! So a place for people that are underrepresented to touch base within community that is such a large part of all of our lives is important to us.

With all of that said it's not just for LGBT+ members of our community either! It's for all the allies and those who wish to do a better job at making this wonderful community even better than it is! We intend to do our best to do our best to provide as many resources for everyone in FIRST as possible.

For Mentors we'll provide as much as we can so you can make your teams a fun, safe and inclusive space for everyone.
For Students we'll provide as much as we can so you can feel welcomed in FIRST and have a place where you know people will support you no matter who you are.
For FIRST as a whole we'll be doing our best to make it a community that no one feels left out in.

Making even just one person feel safe and included in FIRST is how we know that we have succeeded.
Making just one team more accepting is how we know that we have succeeded.

We're all part of FIRST and that means that we're family, while you don't have to love every person in your family you should respect them and make them feel welcomed and safe.

[Liam Fay]

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.

Happily. A lot of these are just little things that pile up. One great thing a blog bringing light to these things could do is make people realize that they were unintentionally harming others and stop.

1. The use of the phrase "that's gay". Unless you are pointing at a gay wedding, that phrase gives a sense of negativity to being gay. If I see someone call something bad "gay", how will that affect my perception of myself?

2. Hotel rooms (and other methods of grouping) for those in the trans community. Sticking trans kids in a separate room because you can't figure out where they belong gives a sense of otherness.

3. FIRST is also an avenue through which to break the stereotypes that gay men are "fairies" and are not engineers, in the same way that FIRST has inspired many young women to follow their dreams.

[Caleb Sykes]

Originally Posted by Liam Fay

Hotel rooms (and other methods of grouping) for those in the trans community. Sticking trans kids in a separate room because you can't figure out where they belong gives a sense of otherness.

What would be a better course of action in this scenario?

[Liam Fay]

Originally Posted by Caleb Sykes

What would be a better course of action in this scenario?

I unfortunately can't give you a perfect answer, but I can say that a LGBT+ FIRST blog would certainly open it up for discussion and give people who might have a better solution a voice.

[Mr_Moko]

Originally Posted by Caleb Sykes

What would be a better course of action in this scenario?

Putting them I'm a room with the gender they identify as would br much better.

My friend (and co-founder of the blog) had to be stuck in his own room because he's trans and his school/the parents of his team saw him as a liability.
This is extremely unfair to separate people just because of their gender, is it not?