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

[Tom Line]

Originally Posted by 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.

Robotics do not involve sexuality, and shouldn't. Nor should they involve religion or politics. But there are instances where all 3 intrude upon our sport. When someone is treated unfairly because of their religion, or sexual orientation in robotics then it should be discussed. When we need to enter into politics to obtain grants and funding, that should be discussed.

In this case, much like political grants and funding, we have a website devoted to creating a more positive environment for students so it's definitely worth discussing.

[FrankJ]

So looking at the Championship conference schedule for the First time. I see there is one (actually a couple. more than that if you include the ones specifically on women in stem) on diversity & inclusion. I know nothing about it other than seeing it on the schedule.

[Monochron]

Originally Posted by 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.

Well, you addressed part of what I said. I'm not really interested in doing something one way just because it is possible.
And the idea that robotics students should "just" talk about robots would be quite a few steps in the wrong direction from where teams are now. As they often say, FIRST is about more than the robots.

[FrankJ]

What is appropriate to talk about in a peer to peer relationship and what is a appropriate in a mentor to student relationship is often different. Especially is your team is school affiliated.

[techninja025]

Originally Posted by piclefefe

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

If you don't like the thread you don't have to view it if you don't want. We are not forcing this thread on you. And if you wan't your Chief Delphi experience to be only about robots then go ahead. But remember the first is about "more than robots".

[piclefefe]

Originally Posted by techninja025

If you don't like the thread you don't have to view it if you don't want. We are not forcing this thread on you. And if you wan't your Chief Delphi experience to be only about robots then go ahead. But remember the first is about "more than robots".

I do not want his new concept of lgbtq to poisin the good society the FIRST has constructed.

[Shrub]

Originally Posted by piclefefe

I do not want his new concept of lgbtq to poisin the good society the FIRST has constructed.

I'm sorry LGBT+ people have been around forever.

Anywho, a note about getting notifications through Tumblr is you have to keep the app running.

(This is directed at the mods) Another thing for post notifications is enabling your Twitter to post every time something goes on the blog - that way your Twitter followers who may not use Tumblr are updated on new posts. It's in the blog settings.

[techninja025]

Hey guys I know it's over and done but I want to apologize for my replies so far in this thread. I realized I was being part of the problem. I am also sorry to the people I replied to rudely to. Just because I don't agree with your views doesn't mean I should be rude about it. I hope to be more helpful and less of a hindrance to this thread.

[planetbrilliant]

Originally Posted by Shrub

(This is directed at the mods) Another thing for post notifications is enabling your Twitter to post every time something goes on the blog - that way your Twitter followers who may not use Tumblr are updated on new posts. It's in the blog settings.

That sounds like a plan! We'll try to get that, or something similar, running.

Originally Posted by piclefefe

I do not want his new concept of lgbtq to poisin the good society the FIRST has constructed.

Shrub is correct, LGBT+ people have been around forever. There are hieroglyphics depicting pharaohs in gay relationships from 2400 BC and many other records of LGBT+ people existing basically as long as humans have been a thing.
Regardless, I don't see how accepting and acknowledging LGBT+ people would "poison the good society FIRST has constructed".

[Madison]

Originally Posted by planetbrilliant

That sounds like a plan! We'll try to get that, or something similar, running.

That would be awesome. I'm not -so- old that I don't know how to use Twitter.

[Why_A_Username?]

So admittedly I have not read the entirety of this very long thread, so someone may have already shared a similar story, and if that's the case then I apologize for repeating.

From my own personal experiance, FIRST has been an increadibly welcoming community. I am openly Bi-sexual, and anyone on my team who has ever gotten to know me knows this. I have had absolutely no issues and I have never once felt discriminated against for any reason, let alone my sexuality. It seems so me that the people in FIRST are above such ignorance. In fact FIRST was a large part in my coming out, as my team provided me with an enviroment in which I felt supported and safe, no matter who I was.

I think it's important that we keep allowing the LGBT community the same support that I feel throughout FIRST. This organization has not only taught me about engineering, leadership, teamwork and business, but also has helped me find myself as a person. Personally I would like to thank this community for being so accepting and caring, and for giving me the strength to live as myself. As stated at the beginning of this thread, today's teams are tomorrow's leaders, and that gives me hope for a future with acceptance world-round.

[pilleya]

Originally Posted by indieFan

Am I the only one that wouldn't expect there to be much, if any, talk about LGBT+ issues in FIRST?

There is a time and a place to discuss various things. An event about Science and Technology just doesn't strike me as the right time and place for LGBT+ discussions.

The same would be true for racism, anti-semitism, pro-life/pro-choice, etc.

No, FIRST isn’t just a Science and Technology event.

"To transform our culture by creating a world where science and technology are celebrated and where young people dream of becoming science and technology leaders." Dean Kamen, Founder

Every year students and mentors from more than 3000 team overcome a huge range of challenges, these students develop solutions to many problems and overcome them in just 6 weeks. If students can accomplish this I’m sure that they can solve problems in their greater community, and overcome adversity within FIRST.

Racism and Anti-Semitism is obviously not acceptable, but there is nothing wrong with encouraging discussion about LGBT+ issues within FIRST, after all the students of FIRST are tomorrows leaders.

[Conor Ryan]

I'm all for what empowers students to go ahead and make more robots and STEM careers happen. Contrary to popular belief, FIRST is about Robots that Build Teams, not the other way around.

The new, hot term in business circles is "Inclusive Leadership". I think an important theme for the blog is encouraging that type of student leadership.

Go forth and inspire!

[Not_A_Koala]

Originally Posted by indieFan

Am I the only one that wouldn't expect there to be much, if any, talk about LGBT+ issues in FIRST?

There is a time and a place to discuss various things. An event about Science and Technology just doesn't strike me as the right time and place for LGBT+ discussions.

The same would be true for racism, anti-semitism, pro-life/pro-choice, etc.

I don't think the point is have a discussion about the umbrella of general LGBT+ issues, but rather how FIRST integrates diverse communities into their platform. There is a very popular thread right now regarding inclusiveness with respect to gender in FRC, and there was an other about the FRC experience from the perpectice of a student of color. I'd expect this project to be addressing those issues introduced by the other under-represented demographics but from an LGBT+ scope.


Interestngly, industry leaders don't see FRC as just a "competition about science and technology". There are multiple workshops on the itinerary at Worlds (presented by corperate leaders) this year that are addressing the issue of diversity and inclusions within the FIRST programs. If industry leaders think these issues are important enough to discuss, who are we to render them irrelevant?

[dakota0000]

I'm so excited to see where this project goes! I hope the blog is inclusive of other marginalized and underrepresented communties in FIRST and successful in impacting robotics culture.