[OSGeo-Conf] LGBT in Tanzania

[Darrell Fuhriman]

There are some problematic US States, as well.

Indeed, but I think it’s important to weigh those against a commitment to inclusion. If we want OSGeo and FOSS4G to be reflective of the diversity of the community then we need to be willing to stand up for that —even if it means excluding some places. This is the so-called “paradox of tolerance.” The idea that preserving a tolerant society requires being intolerant of intolerance.

Frankly, I’m ashamed of myself for not having thought of making this part of the requirements until it was raised by María.

I should have, as this issue has been in the news here in the US recently. For instance, many organizations canceled events in North Carolina after the passage of HB 2, and it was a major concern for FOSS4G-NA in 2016, which had already chosen and made arrangements to have the conference in NC when HB 2 was passed.  (HB 2 has since been repealed, but…) See: https://2016.foss4g-na.org/ncga.html <https://2016.foss4g-na.org/ncga.html>

I think it’s reasonable to include in  the RFP a question like the following:

"FOSS4G attracts a global, diverse community. Are there any laws, or social norms, in your proposed location that would make members of our community feel unsafe or unwelcome? That could include, but is not limited to, anti-LGBTQ+ policies, policies that would prevent the free exercise of religion, restrictions on certain activities based on gender or other factor, etc?”

So we’re not, ipso facto, excluding a location based on those that, but we’re making clear that it is a factor we will be considering.

Darrell








> On Feb 20, 2018, at 03:43, Steven Feldman <shfeldman at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> We have never thought about this in the selection process. Should we? I am not sure. 
> 
> There are so many countries that have legal and societal norms that are discriminatory against one group or another - think LGBTQ, religion, visa restrictions on entry - the list will be quite long.
> 
> Just on the LGBTQ legislation there are 73 countries that are shown at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_rights_by_country_or_territory <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_rights_by_country_or_territory> Should we be excluding these countries from hosting FOSS4G or should we be providing guidance to our community on the constraints of attending an event in these countries? We are committed to promoting diversity but it could be that in doing that we limit diversity.
> 
> No answers, just some questions.
> 
> For 2018 we can ask the LOC to provide security information to all delegates (ideally in advance of registration). For future years we need guidance from the Board as to how to proceed.
> ______
> Steven
> 

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