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

[Monochron]

Originally Posted by indieFan

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.

We talk about African American representation in FIRST all the time, which often leads to discussions of racism. If our goal is to spread inspiration of STEM then LGBT is a great place for us for focus our energies.

[Insanity000]

We talk of making FRC more inclusive and better for LGBT+ people but that brings me to the thought; if there are issues for LGBT+ people in FRC how bad and to what extent are they? I'm not saying there aren't issues for them in FRC I'm just wondering how big of an issue this is as I am not as aware of issues for LGBT+ people in FRC as i am with say women in STEM.

Those who have experienced discriminatory actions or negative actions towards LGBT+ people in FRC can you elaborate and share on some of the issues you have observed?

By the way I think this is an awesome idea that can be very appealing to the LGBT+ niche in FRC. Keep it up!

[The other Gabe]

Interested to see how this progresses. Definitely an issue about which I haven't heard too much

Originally Posted by indieFan

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.

science does not exclude you from talking about other issues. no one should ever ignore other things just because it isn't their main focus. I'm a history major who is also an active FIRST volunteer. events about science and Technology have no relevance in my field.

Imagine if only scientists cared about global warming.

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?

The issue with saying "we're all human" and "we all have issues" is that you're whitewashing those issues and ignoring them. What I have run into as a Jew is very different than the environment a homosexual, trans person, black person, etc. have experienced. trying to lump them all together removes our ability to understand how anti-semitism (and anti-Israeli sentiment, which is a huge issue right now) differs from racism differs from homophobia.

Originally Posted by Aura_

The thing that I believe that everyone is currently overlooking right now is how this topic irrelevant to the nature of FIRST. I believe this post is just to present an uproar in the FIRST community to unite over some pointless propaganda for a new blog.

It might just be possible that you're inciting more of an uproar by being so belligerent here. if you find it irrelevant, why bother to comment?

[Sperkowsky]

Just a quick note.

That logo violates First's branding standards. Essentially there is not enough whitespace between your words and the FIRST's logo vertically.

Its probably not a huge deal right now but in the long road if this gets as big as you want it could cause some issues.

You can check out the FIRST branding standards on this page.
http://www.firstinspires.org/brand

Good luck.

[Mr_Moko]

Originally Posted by Sperkowsky

Just a quick note.

That logo violates First's branding standards. Essentially there is not enough whitespace between your words and the FIRST's logo vertically.

Its probably not a huge deal right now but in the long road if this gets as big as you want it could cause some issues.

There was an attempt to use the guidelines somewhere even though that was a little lost, though I am trying to contact FIRST about
A) Actually using their legal property for our logo
B) If there should be improvements so that the logo can fit better with the branding (Which there most definitely are)
Thank you for the heads up though!

Originally Posted by jds2001

As a gay mentor (who, as some others in this thread have said, doesn't make a big deal about it to my team - in fact, I am so heteronormative that my team likely has no idea) I can see where there's non-inclusive language being used even on my team that makes me slightly uncomfortable. I'm able to just shrug it off and not worry about it. However, when I put myself in the shoes of a student, I can easily see how some of this language could make a student feel unwelcome and ostracized, especially if they weren't yet comfortable enough with themselves and figuring out their identity.

We'll be doing our best to supply resources for mentors and students alike! Hopefully mentors will not only benefit by helping team members, but by feeling included themselves.
Though I'm sure many LGBT+ FIRST-ers know the feeling of team members saying things that would make them uncomfortable even when they don't realize it. I know that personally I do and it's a tad enlightening to see that even mentors feel that way!
Keep up the good work with your team!

Originally Posted by New Lightning

True I believe that most of the work will have to come from changes within teams. But having said that, having a movement that spans all of first, to help guide teams to the kind of changes that are necessary, will have a much larger impact than leaving it up to the individual teams to try and figure out what changes are needed.

As was said, changing FIRST as a whole would be a slow and arduous process that would most likely not go very well as there are clashes in beliefs, but going with teams at a time would be the way to go (like you said). Even if it were only a handful of students on a team that's still an impact that we want to have.
With that being said, we're not going to try our hand and force teams to be accepting of LGBT+ people, but we hope that people will see that it's the right thing to do because it effects more people within FIRST than people realize.

[grstex]

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?

I think Josh's stated goals are to provide resources for everyone, with a emphasis on and perspective from the LGBT+ community. It may be a separate page, but its a resource everyone can utilize when trying to confront diversity issues. Would you say groups like NEMO segregate non-engineer mentors from the rest of the FIRST community?

Originally Posted by TheModMaster8

honestly, to me. FIRST is about Science and technology, not so much political/social or cultural views, That to me seems like a team level fix and not a FIRST level fix, just my 2 cents

I don't see how what Josh is doing is in conflict with your statement. He's an individual on a team, reaching out to provide support and a voice to others in the FIRST community. it's not like this is a mandate coming from New Hampshire.

Originally Posted by Mr_Moko

There was an attempt to use the guidelines somewhere even though that was a little lost, though I am trying to contact FIRST about
A) Actually using their legal property for our logo
B) If there should be improvements so that the logo can fit better with the branding (Which there most definitely are)
Thank you for the heads up though!

First of all, I commend you for taking the initiative and starting something new to further enrich the FIRST experience for everyone.

If it turns out you need to change the logo, PM me and I'll either help design or mentor a student in developing a new one.

[Aura_]

The thing that I believe that everyone is currently overlooking right now is how this topic irrelevant to the nature of FIRST. I am strongly against the ideas and beliefs of the LGBT+ society, but I do not think it is right to force my own opinions down someone else's throat. I do not see why it matters if a gay man writes an interesting blog post versus a straight one. It is not think that interacting with robots is a blatantly straight activity. I believe this post is just to present an uproar in the FIRST community to unite over some pointless propaganda for a new blog.

[AJCaliciuri]

First off, I think this is an awesome idea!

I've read a lot of the comments in the thread, and I understand why some people may be concerned. But, when I was in High School, I had a really hard time fitting in and it was difficult for me to make friends. Being on a FIRST team was one of the first times I felt that I belonged. The way I see it, FIRST teams are supposed to be a safe place where students can explore their love of science and technology without being discriminated against for any reason (race/religion/gender/sexual orientation etc).

I don't think FIRST being open and welcoming to anyone who wants to be involved takes any political or social stance. Besides, this is a private effort that isn't directly affiliated with FIRST HQ.

Good luck on the blog and keep up the awesome work!

[Kingland093]

Originally Posted by AJCaliciuri

First off, I think this is an awesome idea!

I've read a lot of the comments in the thread, and I understand why some people may be concerned. But, when I was in High School, I had a really hard time fitting in and it was difficult for me to make friends. Being on a FIRST team was one of the first times I felt that I belonged. The way I see it, FIRST teams are supposed to be a safe place where students can explore their love of science and technology without being discriminated against for any reason (race/religion/gender/sexual orientation etc).

I don't think FIRST being open and welcoming to anyone who wants to be involved takes any political or social stance. Besides, this is a private effort that isn't directly affiliated with FIRST HQ.

Good luck on the blog and keep up the awesome work!

+1. My experience has been the same way as well. My FIRST team was really the first place I felt I belonged and could really excel at something I was really passionate about.

At the core, FIRST is about inspiration of ALL students and I think that this blog can be a great way to help inspire an extremely under represented minority.

Great work with the blog and good luck!!

[MrRoboSteve]

FIRST's welcoming, accepting attitude is one major reason that I became involved. It's easy for someone in my position to think that things are perfect -- but that's my point of view showing.

The blog that Josh and others are creating helps me understand others FIRST experience, good or bad. I have the same goal as Alfred Adler: "Seeing with the eyes of another, listening with the ears of another, and feeling with the heart of another".

[Monochron]

Originally Posted by Aura_

I believe this post is just to present an uproar in the FIRST community to unite over some pointless propaganda for a new blog.

It may benefit you to read the OP again, and to read Mr_Moko's subsequent posts. If you can read those thoroughly and still believe that his intent is only to ignite uproar, I think you may need to reevaluate how your own beliefs are affecting your judgement.

The intent is very clearly to provide resources to a group of student/mentors who are in the minority in FIRST. Similar to how we try to provide resources to women in engineering, LGBT+ is another group that could use them. That's it.

[Aura_]

Originally Posted by Monochron

It may benefit you to read the OP again, and to read Mr_Moko's subsequent posts. If you can read those thoroughly and still believe that his intent is only to ignite uproar, I think you may need to reevaluate how your own beliefs are affecting your judgement.

The intent is very clearly to provide resources to a group of student/mentors who are in the minority in FIRST. Similar to how we try to provide resources to women in engineering, LGBT+ is another group that could use them. That's it.

I read it thoroughly the first time and believe this is a waste of a thread on chief delphi.

[Monochron]

Originally Posted by Aura_

I read it thoroughly the first time and believe this is a waste of a thread on chief delphi.

Then we have nothing to discuss, you have my opinion about your perception. There are a good many people who have suggested their support for this thread so I recommend that you respectfully withdraw from the conversation. We don't have to speak about it further if you like.

[mrnoble]

My team has a strong connection with LGBTQ in our community; a disproportionately large number of students are gay, bisexual, nonbinary, or have gay parents or siblings (about one in five on our team). I'm very happy to see INDIVIDUALS and TEAMS addressing the experiences of these folks as they relate to FIRST and other STEM activities. A shame (but not a surprise) that some folks find this to be negative. FRC is a large organization and there will be all kinds.

[mrnoble]

And Aura can earn respect for her/his/their opinion when he/she/they can drop the anonymous status.