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

[indieFan]

If you want to have a discussion about diversity and inclusion, shouldn't it be that we are all human and deserve similar opportunities? By creating separate blogs/posts/groups for each category, aren't you actually contributing to the lack of diversity and inclusion?

[Karthik]

Originally Posted by indieFan

If you want to have a discussion about diversity and inclusion, shouldn't it be that we are all human and deserve similar opportunities?

We absolutely all deserve similar opportunities. Unfortunately some members of our community are denied opportunities or excluded (directly and indirectly, intentionally and unintentionally) because of their race/gender/sexual orientation/religion. It's for this reason that there's a need for specific attention for these groups; to help address the inequity they face.

[Leila Silver]

Originally Posted by indieFan

If you want to have a discussion about diversity and inclusion, shouldn't it be that we are all human and deserve similar opportunities? By creating separate blogs/posts/groups for each category, aren't you actually contributing to the lack of diversity and inclusion?

Not really. Each group has separate problems to address, and nuance may be lost by grouping all marginalized peoples together.

You are right in saying that we all deserve similar opportunities - however, the ways to them will vary from group to group.

[the_godfaubel]

First off, I would like to say that I love the blog idea. But, I would like to make a point after just listening to what Andy Baker had to say at the Indiana District Championship.

Those of you who are saying that FIRST is only about STEM couldn't be any further from what it truly is about. While you might only see students building robots and learning about STEM, you miss that we, as mentors, are trying to build better individuals. We teach them that sometimes failure is an inevitable step towards success. They need to understand that everything is not always going to going their way. Like any team, they need to learn to work together to achieve their goals. It's an application to the real world that you're not always going to like everyone that you work with. They learn to lean on and trust their teammates when they need to get through those tough times. A team, if built right, is like a family. True family will accept anyone for who they are, no matter what. To quote Dean Kamen off of the FIRST website, "FIRST is more than robots. The robots are a vehicle for students to learn important life skills. Kids often come in not knowing what to expect- of the program nor of themselves. They leave, even after the first season, with a vision, with confidence, and with a sense that they can create their own future."

So, we eventually get to this idea for an LGBT blog for fellow FIRSTers. I don't know if many of you have been paying attention to the real world, but some people are saying some pretty cruel things about their community. Young people see what these people are saying and some of them are from the LGBT community. They get scared that they won't be accepted because of who they are and that's just not right. So, if this blog helps even one student by letting them know that they are not alone and are strong enough, then it's a perfect idea. You know what, if you don't agree with it, that's totally fine, but don't go complaining about how it doesn't represent FIRST because it absolutely does. If you don't like the blog idea, don't read it! No one is going to force you to.

To conclude, I am going to call out anybody who wants to exclude people because of how they look, who they love, or what gender they are. We need the world to be a more accepting place, and if you're preaching the opposite, well, you're part of the problem.

[TheModMaster8]

Originally Posted by the_godfaubel

First off, I would like to say that I love the blog idea. But, I would like to make a point after just listening to what Andy Baker had to say at the Indiana District Championship.

Those of you who are saying that FIRST is only about STEM couldn't be any further from what it truly is about. While you might only see students building robots and learning about STEM, you miss that we, as mentors, are trying to build better individuals. We teach them that sometimes failure is an inevitable step towards success. They need to understand that everything is not always going to going their way. Like any team, they need to learn to work together to achieve their goals. It's an application to the real world that you're not always going to like everyone that you work with. They learn to lean on and trust their teammates when they need to get through those tough times. A team, if built right, is like a family. True family will accept anyone for who they are, no matter what. To quote Dean Kamen off of the FIRST website, "FIRST is more than robots. The robots are a vehicle for students to learn important life skills. Kids often come in not knowing what to expect- of the program nor of themselves. They leave, even after the first season, with a vision, with confidence, and with a sense that they can create their own future."

So, we eventually get to this idea for an LGBT blog for fellow FIRSTers. I don't know if many of you have been paying attention to the real world, but some people are saying some pretty cruel things about their community. Young people see what these people are saying and some of them are from the LGBT community. They get scared that they won't be accepted because of who they are and that's just not right. So, if this blog helps even one student by letting them know that they are not alone and are strong enough, then it's a perfect idea. You know what, if you don't agree with it, that's totally fine, but don't go complaining about how it doesn't represent FIRST because it absolutely does. If you don't like the blog idea, don't read it! No one is going to force you to.

To conclude, I am going to call out anybody who wants to exclude people because of how they look, who they love, or what gender they are. We need the world to be a more accepting place, and if you're preaching the opposite, well, you're part of the problem.

I loved working with your guys team at competitions over the past 5 years and I have loads of respect for you all, and while I don't want to start and argument with you i also cant ignore it as well,

part in question: "We need the world to be a more accepting place, and if you're preaching the opposite, well, you're part of the problem"

couldn't your statement go the other way as well? until lately in society, the opposite was true was it not? Don't get me wrong, I don't hate or dislike people that are (whatever the politically correct term for LGBT is).

The other part in question:" They get scared that they won't be accepted because of who they are and that's just not right"

Who cares if you're excepted by others? as soon as you derive your happiness or joy/pleasures from others, is the same time you set yourself up for sadness and disappointment. if these people don't like you for who you are, then are they really people you would want for friends anyways? wouldn't you rather have someone that accepts you for who you are rather then someone who has been told that they must except others or they are racist, ext.? these are just my thoughts on this matter. and i hope to see you all at worlds.

[Liam Fay]

Originally Posted by TheModMaster8

I loved working with your guys team at competitions over the past 5 years and I have loads of respect for you all, and while I don't want to start and argument with you i also cant ignore it as well,

part in question: "We need the world to be a more accepting place, and if you're preaching the opposite, well, you're part of the problem"

couldn't your statement go the other way as well? until lately in society, the opposite was true was it not? Don't get me wrong, I don't hate or dislike people that are (whatever the politically correct term for LGBT is).

The other part in question:" They get scared that they won't be accepted because of who they are and that's just not right"

Who cares if you're excepted by others? as soon as you derive your happiness or joy/pleasures from others, is the same time you set yourself up for sadness and disappointment. if these people don't like you for who you are, then are they really people you would want for friends anyways? wouldn't you rather have someone that accepts you for who you are rather then someone who has been told that they must except others or they are racist, ext.? these are just my thoughts on this matter. and i hope to see you all at worlds.

Seeking acceptance from others is part of human nature. To think that needing others is setting oneself up for sadness is very unhealthy and denies the facts about being human. The friend argument doesn't quite measure up, either. Sure, we'd rather have people that accept us for who we are. But what if we love robotics and don't want to have to leave?

[TheModMaster8]

Originally Posted by Liam Fay

Seeking acceptance from others is part of human nature. To think that needing others is setting oneself up for sadness is very unhealthy and denies the facts about being human. The friend argument doesn't quite measure up, either. Sure, we'd rather have people that accept us for who we are. But what if we love robotics and don't want to have to leave?

Seeking acceptance comes in may forms, either through money, objects, friends or religion. so yes, in a way it is apart of human nature to find acceptance, however. 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." secondly I don't think I said anything about leaving, though i may be wrong. nor was/am I suggesting it. just because no one excepts your belief in sexuality, doesn't mean they don't except you. Not everyone will see eye to eye on certain matters, and sometimes this needs to be said during a conversation, it reminds both parties that you can still be friends even if you don't agree on certain matters.

[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.

[Mr_Moko]

I see that there is some confrontation on this thread, though that was to be expected in all honesty.
When making the initial post I expected some people to disagree with the idea of having this blog and just because they do that does not mean you should call them out on it.

As noble as it may be to retort to someone's negative remark I'd advise against it as I personally dislike watching people argue. We should just let everyone post their opinions, concerns and questions about this idea and let it be that.

-----------

On a very different note, there is a new logo which is most likely temporary. So any feedback on that would be appreciated!
MKII of logo HERE

[asid61]

Originally Posted by Mr_Moko

I see that there is some confrontation on this thread, though that was to be expected in all honesty.
When making the initial post I expected some people to disagree with the idea of having this blog and just because they do that does not mean you should call them out on it.

As noble as it may be to retort to someone's negative remark I'd advise against it as I personally dislike watching people argue. We should just let everyone post their opinions, concerns and questions about this idea and let it be that.

-----------

On a very different note, there is a new logo which is most likely temporary. So any feedback on that would be appreciated!
MKII of logo HERE

Sorry your thread got derailed. It was almost inevitable, this being CD.
Digging the new logos! The second variation in that album looks good on the dark background.

[Herbblood]

I'd totally help out but i graduated last year.

[piclefefe]

Why is this thread relevant shouldn't everyone just talk about robotics the same???

[nerdrock101]

Originally Posted by piclefefe

Why is this thread relevant shouldn't everyone just talk about robotics the same???

Everyone in this world is different and can experience the same thing in a different way. If you and I were both watching the same TV show, maybe I relate to a character more than you because of my background and vice versa. Maybe I find a scene funny but you find it mean, even though we're watching the same scene.

This is a group of people wanting to talk about how they experience FIRST in a different way than non gender and sexual minorities do. What a boring world it would be if we all talked about things the same way.

[Monochron]

Originally Posted by piclefefe

Why is this thread relevant shouldn't everyone just talk about robotics the same???

No, we shouldn't. If teams only talked about robotics (and worse, talked about it in the same way) FIRST wouldn't be nearly as impactful of an organization, and boy would our robots be dull.

[piclefefe]

But is it not possible to talk about robots from different aspects without having to drag sexuality into the mix. I understand that people can talk about robots differently but I do not understand how sexuality affects it.